Overview

Clients turn to William to provide creative solutions in the context of their complex transactions in Canada. With over 30 years of experience, William is widely recognized as an expert strategist with extensive cross-border experience who has led numerous significant deals for his clients.

Public and private sector clients across diverse industries rely on William’s first-class technical capabilities, dedication and sophisticated handling of their transactions.

Highly regarded in the U.S. legal services market, William has the distinction of being the only non-U.S. lawyer to serve as Chair of the American Bar Association Business Law Section in its 88-year history. William is also a past Editor-in-Chief of The Business Lawyer, the premier peer-reviewed business law journal in the U.S.

Acted for Alstom S.A. in its acquisition of Bombardier Transportation, for a purchase price of EUR 4.4 billion, paid through a combination of cash and newly issued Alstom shares. This deal was named an Excellence Awardee for M&A Deal of the Year at the 2022 Canadian Law Awards.

Acting for Alstom Transport Canada Inc. in its role as lead member of a consortium that is providing rolling stock, signalling services and operation and maintenance services, as part of the construction and operation of a new automated light rail transit system in the Greater Montréal Area. This $6.3-billion infrastructure project (its original estimated cost) is the largest public transit project undertaken in the Province of Québec in the last 50 years.

Acted as Canadian counsel to Sequoia Capital in its minority investment in SSENSE, a Montréal-based fashion e-commerce retailer, giving SSENSE a post-money enterprise value of over $5 billion.

Acted as Canadian counsel to Accor SA in connection with the creation of the first European-listed special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), Accor Acquisition Company (AAC). AAC, sponsored by Accor SA, successfully raised EUR 300 million through a private placement of Units listed on Euronext Paris.

Corporate Law; Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Securities Law

Practice Areas

• Corporate & Commercial Law

Bar Information

Called to the bar: 1989 (QC)