Joseph M. Hentz
Partner
Joseph practices from our London office, advising manufacturing and agricultural businesses on land development, business law, and municipal matters. With a background in law, accounting, and military service, he is a practical, dependable legal advisor focused on helping owner‑managed enterprises address complex operational, growth, and development challenges.
Office
Areas of Expertise
Corporate and Commercial Transactions
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Financings
Land Development and Municipal Approvals
Business Succession and Farm Transition Planning
Agribusiness Law
Private Capital Raises and Investor Negotiations
General Legal Counsel to Business Enterprises
Education
Admitted to Ontario Bar (2015)
Certified Management Accountants of Ontario, Professional Program (2012-2015)
Juris Doctor with specialization in business law, Western University, Faculty of Law (2014)
Army Operations Course, Canadian Army Command and Staff College (2011)
Master of Public Administration, Royal Military College of Canada (2011)
Bachelor of Arts, Honours, University of Western Ontario (2006)
Awards and Recognition
Selected by peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada for Corporate Law
Campaign Star, International Security Assistance Force (Afghanistan), Canadian Armed Forces (2006 and 2009)
Commemorative Decoration for 12 years of honourable military service, Canadian Armed Forces (2013)
Recipient of three Commander’s Commendations for outstanding leadership, Canadian Armed Forces
Selected Presentations and Publications
Speaker, “Leadership Principles,” Ontario Agribusiness Association, January 2025
Speaker, “Land Development in Ontario,” Lerners Seminar Series, April 2024
Speaker, "Tricks and Traps of Farm Succession Planning", Hensall District Co-operative, February 2019
Speaker, "Managing Legal Problems on the Farm", Family Farm Planning Seminars, January 2019
Presenter, "Dividing the Farm Business: Butterfly Transactions", Canadian Association of Farm Advisors, educational seminar, June 2018
Presenter, "Corporate Governance and Directors' and Officers' Liability: Understanding the Risks of Limited Liability", Ontario Co-operative Association "Best Practices for Co-operative Business" educational seminar, April 25, 2018
Representative Work
Represented a shareholder of a greenhouse on a buy-out of other shareholders with an enterprise value in excess of $63 million dollars
Represented a purchaser on the acquisition of a franchise system
Represented the seller of a monetary funds transfer technology company
Represented a borrower with a multi-national presence with financing its operations with credit facilities in excess of $200 million dollars
Represented a biotechnology company raising over $40 million dollars in private equity financing
Represented shareholders in the sale of shares of a high-tech company for over $42 million dollars
Represented various entrepreneurs raising private capital to fund growth
Represented a client in the biochemical industry in a negotiation and preparation of an industrial lease
Represented various business owners with succession planning
Acted as corporate counsel to various Canadian subsidiaries of multinational corporations
Memberships
Ontario Agribusiness Association
Canadian Association of Farm Advisors
Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario
Ontario Bar Association
Canadian Bar Association
Middlesex Law Association
Strategic Business Counsel
Joseph Hentz is a partner in our London office with a practice focused on advising manufacturing and agricultural businesses across Southwestern Ontario. He works primarily with Tier 2 and Tier 3 owner-managed enterprises, providing practical legal advice that supports day-to-day operations, facilities planning, governance, and long‑term continuity.
As a member of the Business Law, Land Development and Municipal Law, and Commercial Real Estate groups, Joseph helps clients navigate legal issues at the intersection of operations, land use, and capital investment. Drawing on his experience as both a lawyer and an accountant, he delivers integrated, business-minded solutions aligned with how manufacturing and agribusiness clients operate and grow.
Joseph understands the challenges facing business owners, senior leadership teams, government officials, and professional advisors, and works closely with clients to develop practical, innovative solutions that align with their objectives.
He works closely with his clients from start to finish on each transaction, taking the time to address all their concerns and ensuring their interests are always protected.
Throughout his career, Joseph has focused on developing the skills and attributes of a trusted business advisor. He credits two deployments as an infantry officer in Kandahar with having a lasting influence on his values and perspective.
The austere and challenging conditions of war taught him the importance of teamwork, integrity, and earning the trust of those he worked alongside. These principles continue to guide how he serves his clients.
Joseph is a fourth-generation resident of the family farm and enjoys working outdoors in his spare time - a background that informs his practical approach and long‑standing connection to agribusiness clients.
Joseph Hentz is a partner in our London office with a practice focused on advising manufacturing and agricultural businesses across Southwestern Ontario. He works primarily with Tier 2 and Tier 3 owner-managed enterprises, providing practical legal advice that supports day-to-day operations, facilities planning, governance, and long‑term continuity.
As a member of the Business Law, Land Development and Municipal Law, and Commercial Real Estate groups, Joseph helps clients navigate legal issues at the intersection of operations, land use, and capital investment. Drawing on his experience as both a lawyer and an accountant, he delivers integrated, business-minded solutions aligned with how manufacturing and agribusiness clients operate and grow.
Joseph understands the challenges facing business owners, senior leadership teams, government officials, and professional advisors, and works closely with clients to develop practical, innovative solutions that align with their objectives.
He works closely with his clients from start to finish on each transaction, taking the time to address all their concerns and ensuring their interests are always protected.
Throughout his career, Joseph has focused on developing the skills and attributes of a trusted business advisor. He credits two deployments as an infantry officer in Kandahar with having a lasting influence on his values and perspective.
The austere and challenging conditions of war taught him the importance of teamwork, integrity, and earning the trust of those he worked alongside. These principles continue to guide how he serves his clients.
Joseph is a fourth-generation resident of the family farm and enjoys working outdoors in his spare time - a background that informs his practical approach and long‑standing connection to agribusiness clients.
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Joseph M. Hentz
Partner
Joseph practices from our London office, advising manufacturing and agricultural businesses on land development, business law, and municipal matters. With a background in law, accounting, and military service, he is a practical, dependable legal advisor focused on helping owner‑managed enterprises address complex operational, growth, and development challenges.
+1 519 640 6307
jhentz@lerners.ca
Areas of Expertise
Corporate and Commercial Transactions
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Financings
Land Development and Municipal Approvals
Business Succession and Farm Transition Planning
Agribusiness Law
Private Capital Raises and Investor Negotiations
General Legal Counsel to Business Enterprises
Education
Admitted to Ontario Bar (2015)
Certified Management Accountants of Ontario, Professional Program (2012-2015)
Juris Doctor with specialization in business law, Western University, Faculty of Law (2014)
Army Operations Course, Canadian Army Command and Staff College (2011)
Master of Public Administration, Royal Military College of Canada (2011)
Bachelor of Arts, Honours, University of Western Ontario (2006)
Awards and Recognition
Selected by peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada for Corporate Law
Campaign Star, International Security Assistance Force (Afghanistan), Canadian Armed Forces (2006 and 2009)
Commemorative Decoration for 12 years of honourable military service, Canadian Armed Forces (2013)
Recipient of three Commander’s Commendations for outstanding leadership, Canadian Armed Forces
Selected Presentations and Publications
Speaker, “Leadership Principles,” Ontario Agribusiness Association, January 2025
Speaker, “Land Development in Ontario,” Lerners Seminar Series, April 2024
Speaker, "Tricks and Traps of Farm Succession Planning", Hensall District Co-operative, February 2019
Speaker, "Managing Legal Problems on the Farm", Family Farm Planning Seminars, January 2019
Presenter, "Dividing the Farm Business: Butterfly Transactions", Canadian Association of Farm Advisors, educational seminar, June 2018
Presenter, "Corporate Governance and Directors' and Officers' Liability: Understanding the Risks of Limited Liability", Ontario Co-operative Association "Best Practices for Co-operative Business" educational seminar, April 25, 2018
Representative Work
Represented a shareholder of a greenhouse on a buy-out of other shareholders with an enterprise value in excess of $63 million dollars
Represented a purchaser on the acquisition of a franchise system
Represented the seller of a monetary funds transfer technology company
Represented a borrower with a multi-national presence with financing its operations with credit facilities in excess of $200 million dollars
Represented a biotechnology company raising over $40 million dollars in private equity financing
Represented shareholders in the sale of shares of a high-tech company for over $42 million dollars
Represented various entrepreneurs raising private capital to fund growth
Represented a client in the biochemical industry in a negotiation and preparation of an industrial lease
Represented various business owners with succession planning
Acted as corporate counsel to various Canadian subsidiaries of multinational corporations
Memberships
Ontario Agribusiness Association
Canadian Association of Farm Advisors
Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario
Ontario Bar Association
Canadian Bar Association
Middlesex Law Association
Strategic Business Counsel
Joseph Hentz is a partner in our London office with a practice focused on advising manufacturing and agricultural businesses across Southwestern Ontario. He works primarily with Tier 2 and Tier 3 owner-managed enterprises, providing practical legal advice that supports day-to-day operations, facilities planning, governance, and long‑term continuity.
As a member of the Business Law, Land Development and Municipal Law, and Commercial Real Estate groups, Joseph helps clients navigate legal issues at the intersection of operations, land use, and capital investment. Drawing on his experience as both a lawyer and an accountant, he delivers integrated, business-minded solutions aligned with how manufacturing and agribusiness clients operate and grow.
Joseph understands the challenges facing business owners, senior leadership teams, government officials, and professional advisors, and works closely with clients to develop practical, innovative solutions that align with their objectives.
He works closely with his clients from start to finish on each transaction, taking the time to address all their concerns and ensuring their interests are always protected.
Throughout his career, Joseph has focused on developing the skills and attributes of a trusted business advisor. He credits two deployments as an infantry officer in Kandahar with having a lasting influence on his values and perspective.
The austere and challenging conditions of war taught him the importance of teamwork, integrity, and earning the trust of those he worked alongside. These principles continue to guide how he serves his clients.
Joseph is a fourth-generation resident of the family farm and enjoys working outdoors in his spare time - a background that informs his practical approach and long‑standing connection to agribusiness clients.
PRINT PREVIEW START
Contents WILL NOT be displayed on live website