Overview

François is a partner in the firm’s Business Law Department, and is the Managing Partner of Osler’s Montreal office. He has been nationally recognized as a leading capital markets and U.S/Canada cross-border lawyer in Canada and has been named a “Rising Star” (top 40 under 40) and a “Leading Lawyer to Watch” in the area of Corporate Finance and Securities in Lexpert.
François’ specializes in Canadian and cross-border capital markets, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private equity transactions, including representing various public and private companies across different industries, with an emphasis on technology and life sciences, and as well as large institutions, investment funds and investment banks. His extensive experience of over 20 years includes acting on in a variety of matters including public offerings and private placements, going private transactions, mergers and acquisitions (both negotiated and unsolicited), large restructurings and governance matters.
IPOs and go-public transactions: Bausch & Lomb, Groupe Dynamite, Dialogue Health, Alithya, Mindbeacon, DavidsTea.
M&A: CAE acquisition of military business from Bombardier, sale of interest in Innocap by National Bank, acquisition of Ren’s Pets by Groupe Mondou, acquisitions by Vosker, Alithya, SherWeb and Dilawri, sale of BonLook (acting for founders) and sale of Sharethrough (acting for founders).
Other significant public issuer and governance work: Hydro-Québec, Xebec, Neptune Wellness, Acasti Pharma.
After a frenzied 18-month period for the capital markets in Canada, 2022 saw a rapid about-face in activity levels, with initial public offering...
A number of changes were implemented or proposed to reduce uncertainty, create greater efficiency or harmonize rules or the interpretation of those...
Join our experts to learn more about the elements that must be weighed if your company is considering going public.
There were a number of significant developments in the corporate and securities landscape in Canada in 2020 arising from regulatory amendments,...
Osler is proud to announce that François Paradis has been appointed as the new Managing Partner of our Montréal office. This appointment is...
Congratulations to 29 of our lawyers for their inclusion in the Lexpert Special Edition: Technology and Health 2023.
Congratulations to Isabelle Lemay of the Legault Group for receiving the “Deal of the Year: Strategic Acquisition” award at the M&A Awards...
Osler is proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for three “Deal of the Year” awards at the M&A Awards Gala 2022, reflecting our work...
IPO: What you need to know!
Speaker, Thursday, December 9, 2021
Réaliser une acquisition – Conseils d’experts pour mettre en place une démarche d’acquisition adaptée à vos besoins (in French only)
Speaker, Montreal, October 4, 2018
Transparency Measures in the Extractive Sector – Trends and Developments
Speaker, April 6, 2016
Recent Developments in Corporate Governance and Preparation of Your Next Shareholders’ Meeting
Speaker, Corporate Governance, Montreal, January 27, 2016

Practice Areas

• Administrative Law
• Privacy Law
• Banking/Finance
• Securities
• Corporate Law

Bar Information

Called to the bar: 2003 (QC)