Five minute Abchat with Janan Paskaran, Partner at Torys LLP, Canada

Janan Paskaran is a corporate and securities Partner at international business law firm Torys LLP in Calgary, Canada. He was a member of the judging panel for The Oil Council’s 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award in London.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Like most kids in Canada, I wanted to be a hockey player!
(That's ice hockey to us Brits)

Describe your role in ten words or less (if that’s possible!):

Our aim is to provide practical legal advice and come up with creative solutions to ensure the goals of our clients are achieved.

What drew you to the natural resources sector?

I was born and raised in Alberta and so I grew up with the backdrop of the oil and gas industry. It is an unbelievably dynamic and interesting industry and I enjoy the variety of work I do on a daily basis.

What is the most interesting thing about your work?

Finding creative solutions is always the most interesting part of the job. With difficult capital markets, lateral thinking is key to ensuring our clients’ needs are met.

What is the main difference between advising companies in the UK and Canada?

There are some small nuances between the legal systems, however for the most part advising companies in both jurisdictions is fairly similar.

Is there a common misconception about the legal profession?

I think the biggest misconception is that lawyers are simply out to generate fees without regard to what clients actually want or need. Our Firm has always looked to establish a long term relationship with our clients so we are able to understand their business and become part of their team so we can work together to achieve their goals.

What developments do you expect to see in emerging markets in the next twelve months?

I think we will see continued investment in emerging markets as investors look for places where they can earn a significant return.

If I wasn’t talking to you now, what would you be doing?

Working or in the gym!

Thank you Janan!

Janan Paskaran has been involved in numerous transactions including Dana Petroleum in its C$240 million acquisition of Bow Valley Energy, Premier Oil in its US$505 million acquisition of Oilexco North Sea, General Electric in its US$4.8 billion acquisition of the aerospace business of Smiths Group and many more.

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