Virgil Hlus

Chair, Canadian/U.S. Cross Border

Vancouver

(236) 317-6894

(604) 674-9245

Recent News:

17 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch in Canada

Best Lawyers Canada has named 17 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from the firm’s Toronto and Vancouver offices in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada.

Virgil has been a trusted business advisor and advocate for his corporate clients for over 30 years. Whether a company wants to go public, engage in a reverse takeover, a restructuring, conduct a cross-border financing or listing, or complete a tax-driven spin-off, Virgil makes it happen with efficiency and precision, all while providing exceptional client service. His clients appreciate his commitment to giving sensible, commercial solutions to the challenges that arise at all stages of complex business transactions. His strong network enables him to connect clients with opportunities and make strategic introductions, especially in the financial, mining, and business sectors.

Prior to joining Cozen O'Connor, Virgil was a partner with one of Western Canada's leading law firms, where he concentrated his practice on complex corporate restructurings, domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, public and private financings, go public transactions, mining transactions and corporate governance matters. He also served in several key leadership roles, including co-chairing the capital markets, securities, mergers and acquisitions practice, chairing the U.S. practice, the mining practice, and the venture capital and emerging company services practice, and co-chairing the family office practice. His experience serving on several corporate advisory boards provides him with unique insight into capitalizing on market opportunities and overcoming challenges.

Virgil earned his B.Com. in finance and accounting from the University of Alberta and his L.L.B. from the University of British Columbia.

Experience

News

17 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch in Canada

September 04, 2024

Best Lawyers Canada has named 17 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from the firm’s Toronto and Vancouver offices in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada.

Cozen O’Connor Significantly Expands its Footprint in Canada With the Strategic Addition of 13 Lawyers and 9 Staff Members to its Vancouver Office

September 03, 2024

The incoming group is led by international finance, M&A, and mining attorney Virgil Hlus, international finance and M&A attorney Cam McTavish, and family attorney Chantal M. Cattermole.

Education

  • University of British Columbia, LL.B., 1994
  • University of Alberta, B.Com, 1990

Awards & Honors

Best Lawyers in Canada, Securities Law, 2021 - 2025

Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Repeatedly Recommended, Corporate Finance & Securities, 2021

  • California
  • British Columbia

Make-A-Wish Foundation Canada, B.C. and Yukon Chapter, Advisory Board Chair