John T. Drics concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate law, mergers, reverse mergers and strategic acquisitions, investment fund formation, public and private equity offerings, start-ups and securities.  Mr. Drics has over 30 years of detailed hands-on business management and legal experience with public and private companies in various industries including financial services, natural resources, logistics, manufacturing, and technology located in jurisdictions including Canada, the European Union, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, South Korea, and Taiwan. Prior to joining CastorEaston, Mr. Drics held several C-Suite positions including the position of General Counsel for over 19 years with an international investment fund managed from London, England with over US$2B of assets under management. Also, Mr. Drics is experienced in commercial litigation; international arbitration; anti-money laundering compliance; SEC, FINRA, NYSE, NASDAQ, AIM, , JSE, LSE and TSX rules and regulations; investment fund formation, operation and regulatory compliance; broker-dealer compliance, operations and regulations; investment adviser compliance, operations and regulations, capital raising, prime brokerage agreements and ISDA Master Agreements.

 

Education & Qualifications

Creighton University School of Law – Omaha, NE, Juris Doctorate, 1991

Purdue University – West Lafayette, IN, Bachelor of Arts, History, 1986

 

Memberships

Indiana State Bar

Admitted to practice before the Indiana Supreme Court and the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana

 

Business Experience

General Counsel and Managing Director, Ferrox Holdings Ltd. (Luxembourg natural resource development firm)

International General Counsel, Tivani (Pty) Limited (South Africa platinum mining company)

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, PrimAsia Trading Company Limited (Taiwan securities trading firm)

General Counsel, Lionhart Global Appreciation Fund SPC, Ltd. (British Virgin Island investment fund)

 

Representative Transactions

US$1.7Billion capital raising agreement with Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Corporation (HSBC) for Ferrox  Holdings Ltd.

US$600Million net profit resulting from US$80Million equity purchase of Barplats Investments Limited (South Africa) from Impala Platinum Ltd. with subsequent US$120Million reverse merger acquisition of 69% of Barplats Investments Limited by Eastern Platinum Limited (TSX: ELR).

US$63Million private placement funding of Centenary Investments Limited (British Virgin Islands).