Best Lawyers in Canada for Venture Capital Law

Jesse Ahuja is a partner at MEP Business Counsel. As a member of the firm since its founding, Jesse has focused exclusively on the formation, financing and mergers & acquisitions of private enterprises. While his clients span a broad range of industries (technology, manufacturing, logistics, professional services, hospitality, food & beverage, e-commerce, retail and financial services, among others), the underlying commonality is that all are privately held growth companies or their i...

Karam Bayrakal is a business lawyer in Vancouver, and co-leader of the Technology, Media and Telecommunications group, who focusses in the areas of information technology, online services, interactive media, emerging technology and intellectual property. He is involved in the related issues around cyber security, privacy and confidentiality. Global and regional technology clients want Karam for his advice on the strategic, legal and commercial aspects of acquiring, developing and transferring...

Carl Bélanger is a partner and member of Fasken's Commercial/Corporate Law group. He is based in Montréal and his practice focuses on commercial transactions and corporate structures, including mergers, acquisitions, venture capital and private sector-funding, as well as setting up funds and limited partnerships. Over the years, Carl assisted his clients at every step of their development in Canada and abroad. He has been especially active in transactions involving private equit...

Ally Bharmal is a corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, corporate/commercial and board governance Partner based in the Vancouver office. Ally works with clients across the business life-cycle; from start-up and incorporation matters, seed and growth stage financing, to complex M&A, strategic investment, venture capital and private equity transactions. Ally has particular expertise in the technology industry, and the food, beverage and agribusiness industry, and co-l...

Simon Bisson is a member of the Corporate/Commercial law group. He advises clients on transactions relating to the acquisition and sale of businesses and the operation and financing of corporations and investment funds. A member of the Barreau du Québec since 2014, Simon focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, and venture capital and private equity. Simon holds a licence en droit (LLL) and a Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa. Prior to his legal studies, he obtained a...

Michel Boislard has leading expertise in commercial law, primarily in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate financing, investment funds and securities. He also advises clients from the high technology and biotechnology sectors. Numerous public and private corporations trust Michel to represent them during complex domestic and international cross-border transactions. Michel familiarized himself with the challenges involved in cross-border transactions while working as resident partn...

Étienne Brassard is a partner and member of the Business Law group. His practice primarily focuses on private financing, mergers and acquisitions as well as corporate law. He regularly advises local and international businesses in relation to all forms of private financings, from traditional or convertible debt to equity investments. Étienne has developed considerable expertise in securing traditional bank or equipment financing by way of leasing, the whole in view of operating ...

Katie Chandler is a corporate/commercial lawyer providing strategic counsel to companies in the technology sector on a range of issues, from inception of the business to the growth and procurement phases. Advising private companies on a range of business transactions and commercial activities, Katie assists with start-up and incorporation issues, debt and equity angel and venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, and IT licensing and development.

Founding Partner of BCF LLP, Mario Charpentier co-heads our Corporate Finance sector. Mario was Managing Partner of BCF for 25 years, from the foundation of the firm in 1995 until November 2019. As a tax practitioner, he advises clients from every industry on the legal and business strategies to adopt to best grow their business. Mario draws upon a well of legal expertise and a vast network of personal and business relationships to address our clients’ challenges and provides tailored s...

Vincent Chaurette is a member of the Corporate Commercial Group in our Montréal office and specializes in mergers and acquisitions and the drafting of commercial contracts. Vincent has a keen interest in matters related to financial management and governance in the context of corporate transactions. Through his business law practice, he assists companies of all sizes at every stage of their development, whether it be their incorporation, the implementation of a shareholders' agreement ...

Charles Chevrette is a partner in the Corporate/Commercial group in our Montréal office. With nearly thirty years of experience, Charles has a particular expertise in private equity, mergers and acquisitions and venture capital. Over the years, Charles has been called upon to advise a wide range of private and public institutional investors on mergers and acquisitions or corporate financing and acquisitions, particularly in the technology sectors and in cross-border transactions. He re...

Lindsay advises growing technology companies on a full range of corporate and commercial matters, including strategic and practical day-to-day advice on commercial and licensing matters involving vendors and customers, corporate structuring and planning, and equity compensation matters. Lindsay also helps long-term clients prepare for and complete significant corporate transactions, including venture financing and M&A transactions. Lindsay enjoys working with management teams at client co...

Jeffrey is the managing partner at Torkin Manes and a member of the firm’s Business Law and Corporate Finance Groups. His practice is concentrated on mergers, acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, and financings. He works closely with our clients to gain an understanding of their businesses and business objectives, firmly believing that lawyers cannot provide advice on legal business issues in a vacuum. Jeff has significant experience on a wide variety of business transactions an...

Jon Conlin is a member of the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions Group, Private Equity & Venture Capital Group and Technology Group. Jon’s practice includes a wide range of complex business transactions; with a focus on M&A, strategic investments, private equity transactions and related corporate law matters. He also advises high-growth technology companies, founders and venture capital funds on private financings and other strategic transactions. Further, Jon regularly advis...

Kevin A. Custodio is a partner in the Corporate Group. His practice primarily focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions involving both public and private companies as well as private equity and venture capital. Kevin’s experience includes advising several Canadian and foreign clients in acquisitions, divestitures, reorganizations, and general commercial negotiations across industry sectors. He is a member of the Montréal office’s Students & Stagiaire...

Robert Dorion is a partner in Gowlings' Montréal office. He specializes in business law with an emphasis on corporate, commercial, merger and acquisition and tax law. Over the years he has developed expertise in corporate re-organizations, acquisitions, mergers and consolidations, contract negotiating, public and private financing and securities. His large clientele includes public and private companies working in local, national and international economic sectors. Robert has also serv...

Jean-Sébastien Dugas is recognized for his expertise in mergers and acquisitions, the sale of private corporations, private corporate financing (by way of equity, bank debt, subordinated loans, etc.) and commercial contracts.Jean-Sébastien has overseen numerous acquisitions, equity participations and banking transactions during his career. He acts primarily for SME, private equity funds, venture capital companies and financial institutions.He provides practical advice based on h...

Prentice Durbin is a partner with the Firm’s Business Law Group. His practice involves advising entrepreneurs at any stage, from start-up and early growth to large-scale established businesses, in a wide variety of corporate/commercial and securities issues. He focuses on stimulating creativity and growth, helping businesses thrive, and providing counsel, guidance and practical solutions to his clients. Practical Solutions for Complicated Markets Prentice is known for his practical appr...

Barbara is a partner in KRB’s Banking and Finance group. With over 25 years of experience, she handles a broad range of financing matters, including national and cross-border acquisition financings, various credit facilities, project and real estate financings, private placements, public offerings, and master lease financings. Barbara advises a diverse array of financing stakeholders, such as lenders, sponsors and corporate borrowers, on transactions involving operating lines of credit,...

With over 30 years’ experience in business law, Mireille Fontaine practices mainly in private equity, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, securities Law and fund formation. She is a seasoned business advisor, recognised for her legal and business acumen, her availability, and her efficiency. She helps her clients achieve and exceed their most ambitious objectives. In addition, Mireille specialized in cross-border transactions namely between Canada and the United States, as well a...

Mr. Charles Gagnon practises mainly in the fields of areas of corporate and commercial law and financing. Mr. Gagnon acts on behalf of companies, lenders, investors and business people in various transactions and financings involving businesses and projects of all sizes, in a number of economic sectors. He regularly represents venture capital funds. More particularly, Mr. Gagnon acts in transactions and financing agreements involving purchase or sale of businesses or assets, incorporation, or...

Strategic thinking, devotion and efficiency are the three elements that best describe Nathalie Gagnon. Setting herself apart by her in-depth understanding of the reality of entrepreneurs, she is one of the most highly-recognized experts in Quebec in mergers and acquisitions of private corporations. With more than 20 years of experience, she has advised an impressive number of executives in the purchase or sale of corporations. Nathalie Gagnon is co-chair of BCF's mergers and acquisitions team...

Vanessa Grant practises business law in our Toronto office. Her practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and corporate governance for public and private corporations, including private equity and venture capital. She also provides ongoing general corporate and commercial legal advice to a number of clients.She has worked with several national and international clients in various industries, with a particular focus on technology companies, life sciences companies, and RE...

Ali El Haskouri is a member of the Business Law group and focuses his practice on financing, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate and commercial law matters. In particular, Mr. El Haskouri has acquired a unique expertise in investment, venture capital and equity financing in Quebec. He represents many institutional investors during financing operations and regularly assists his clients in corporate purchase and sale transactions and in debt and equity financing (private equity and v...

Alexandre Hébert distinguishes himself not only through his expertise in business law and complex transactions but also by his role as a trusted advisor to his clients. Passionate about his practice, Alexandre considers himself as a creator of opportunities, guiding his clients on their growth journey through legal and strategic advisory services. His entrepreneurial spirit and extensive network enable him to provide significant added value to his clients, helping them navigate success...

Perry Kliot has a diverse commercial practice, with specific expertise in mergers and acquisitions, licensing and distribution, venture capital and traditional debt financing. He also has extensive experience dealing with start-up companies and has counselled such companies through their various stages of development. In so doing he has drafted numerous complex shareholder and joint venture agreements, and been involved in many international expansions. Perry’s clientele is broad based,...

Neil Kravitz is a partner in the Mergers and acquisitions, Corporate finance, Private equity and Corporate/Commercial groups. A seasoned advisor and a recognized leading lawyer in mergers and acquisitions, securities law and cross-border transactions, Neil has extensive experience acting for domestic and foreign acquirers and targets, issuers, entrepreneurs, private equity funds, investment banks, boards of directors and special committees in connection with public and private M & A trans...

Vincent Laforest-Lapointe is a member of the firm’s Corporate/Commercial group. His practice focuses on venture capital financing, mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, corporate and business law and issues related to startups. Vincent works with a variety of enterprises ranging from startups to private medium to large businesses, at every stage of their development. He has advised private and institutional investors and entrepreneurs in connection with provincial, nation...

Sophie Lamonde is the Managing Partner of our Montréal office. Her practice is directed primarily to the areas of mergers & acquisitions and private equity, with a particular focus on cross-border transactions. Sophie’s extensive corporate law experience includes advising Canadian and international clients in acquisitions, divestitures, reorganizations, and general commercial negotiations. Sophie is recognized by Chambers Canada in Corporate/Commercial – Québec a...

Jean Michel Lapierre practises business law, with a leading expertise in corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions and securities law. Jean Michel has acted on behalf of issuers, securities dealers and institutional investors in various securities offerings. He has also acted for financial institutions in connection with issuances of structured products. Jean Michel has been involved in several major acquisition, sale, merger or going-private transactions of publicly-traded companies, inc...

A founding member of BCF’s Québec City office, François Lefebvre has successfully assisted many Québec businesses through every stage of their growth and has been an advisor to several major financial institutions. His proven expertise in commercial and banking law has enabled him to advise clients in various sectors, from technology to digital commerce, including real estate, manufacturing, industrial and banking. Over the years, François has participated in...

Steven Lukas, Associate Counsel, is co-chair of Harper Grey's Business Law Group. Known for his innovative and “out of the box” thinking and client focused solutions, Steven works closely with many entrepreneurs and corporations of all sizes and maturity, providing general legal advice on a broad range of corporate matters. He provides strategic counsel in the complex aspects of mergers and acquisitions, including divestitures and negotiated acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic...

Geneviève Martin has a broad transaction-based practice involving all aspects of corporate law, with particular focus on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and corporate finance. In the course of her practice, Geneviève handles major domestic and cross-border transactions, participates in strategic corporate financing and provides advice to clients on all aspects of corporate and commercial law. Known for her keen business acumen, Geneviève creates and orchestrates ...

Shahrooz Nabavi is a corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and corporate/commercial lawyer with an active transaction-oriented practice. He is primarily focused on technology and knowledge-based industries, representing emerging and growth stage Canadian companies and institutional, venture capital and private equity investors and acquirers of such companies. Representing companies in a broad range of corporate transactional matters, including formation, venture capital financings, priv...

Anne-Marie Naud is a partner, market leader of the Corporate/Commercial group within the Québec City office and co-leader of the Firm’s Agribusiness, Food & Beverage group. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and corporate governance. Anne-Marie is known for her calm demeanour and concentration, and many public and private corporations from the traditional, agricultural and technology sectors rely on Anne-Marie to head mergers and acquisitions, financi...

Bill's practice focuses on corporate commercial and securities law related matters. He assists entrepreneurs and established clients with incorporation or formation, mergers and acquisitions, raising capital through debt or equity offerings, and traditional commercial financing, corporate restructuring, corporate governance, reporting and continuous disclosure obligations.

Arlene has developed a broad range of expertise in the areas of corporate and commercial law, with a strong focus on merger and acquisition transactions, corporate governance and corporate finance. Arlene works extensively with technology based companies and assets including software, media and green technology. While Arlene maintains a mix of practice areas in commercial law, she has focused her practice on mergers and acquisitions and technology law. Arlene has also been a key advisor to va...

Marshall Pawar is a founding partner of MEP Business Counsel. He regularly advises clients on their day to day corporate and commercial matters as well extraordinary corporate transactions such as mergers & acquisitions and other complex strategic business transactions. His clients range from start-ups and growth-stage companies to mature multinational enterprises, including private and public corporations, not-for-profit organizations, private equity funds, investment banks and entrepren...

As a member of the Technology and Mergers & Acquisitions Group of Fasken’s Vancouver office, Geoff advises emerging companies and the investors that fund them in connection with early-stage, venture capital, growth equity, private equity and M&A transactions. Focusing on the technology sector, Geoff advises entrepreneurs, start-ups and venture-backed technology companies, from ideation through business organization, capital raising and exit. Geoff provides a broad range of pragm...

Antonella Penta is a partner within the Corporate/Commercial law group. Antonella is effective in leading negotiations and realizing private company mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and private equity transactions. Antonella regularly manages cross-border and international transactions, corporate reorganizations and private placement financings. She has assisted companies in various industries from initial stages of incorporation to divestiture, including structuring, drafting of sha...

Troy is a partner practising corporate and securities law, with a particular emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, corporate finance and corporate governance mandates. Representing a number of public and private companies in a broad spectrum of industries, including manufacturing, automotive, food and consumer goods, technology and natural resources, Troy seeks to provide pragmatic advice to clients after developing a thorough understanding of their industry a...

Constantinos Ragas has been a member of Fasken’s Corporate/Commercial group since 2010, after joining the firm in 2008 as a student. He focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, information technology, and start-ups. Costa advises clients on activities involved in the purchase and sale of shares and assets in Canada and internationally, including complex multi-jurisdictional cross-border transactions. In addition to his experience in mergers and acquisitions in the industrial...

Peter Riddell's practice is focused on mergers and acquisitions, joint venture and other complex commercial arrangements, carve-out transactions, and corporate and commercial law. He represents clients in various industries, including aerospace, agriculture, technology, pharma, renewable energy and entertainment.Peter has developed a relatively broad corporate practice ranging from advising large multinational corporations in the context of cross-border M&A, to smaller emerging scale-ups ...

Guy Rouleau is a partner in the Business Law Group in our Montreal office. With more than two decades of experience, he advises local and international clients from various sectors on complex commercial legal issues. Guy notably supports companies doing business in Quebec in matters related to mergers and acquisitions, the sale and distribution of products, and transactions involving intellectual capital. In particular, Guy has significant experience working with clients in the information te...

Scott Rozansky practices corporate and commercial law from Dentons Canada LLP’s Montreal office. Scott represents clients engaged in a broad range of commercial activity focusing on corporate financings and acquisitions, involving both public and private companies. Scott also works regularly with regulated dealers, advisers and investment fund managers on registration related matters. He also represents foreign clients establishing or acquiring a business in Canada or assisting with ins...

Adam Saskin is a partner in Fasken’s Corporate/Commercial Law Group and Real Estate Law Group. Additionally, Adam is the Co-Leader of Fasken’s Corporate/Commercial Law Group in Montreal. He is recognized nationwide by several renowned legal directories for his expertise, notably in the areas of Corporate/Commercial Law, Venture Capital Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, and Real Estate Law. Adam’s Corporate/Commercial practice encompasses M&A, private equity,...

After 10 years spent in technology groups in large UK and US firms in Paris and large firm in Montréal, Julien joined Blue HF Legal in 2010. He acts for major VC funds and local or foreign companies (technology, manufacturing, retail) in their day-to-day corporate and commercial operations as well as their financing and M&A transactions. He has extensive experience in cross-border matters. Julien holds a Master’s degree in law (France), a DESS in technology law (France) and a...

Jeremy Sculnick is a partner in the Corporate Group whose practice focuses on Canadian and cross-border mergers & acquisitions, private equity and corporate finance transactions. He works with domestic and multi-national private and public companies as well as investors across a broad range of industries, with a particular focus on life sciences and technology. Jeremy also has extensive experience in venture capital financings, strategic investment transactions, public company matters and...

Warren Silversmith is a partner in the Corporate Group, and Head of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group in Montréal. Warren primarily focuses his practice on private equity and venture capital, project development and finance and mergers and acquisitions, with a particular focus on cross-border transactions. In addition to Canadian corporate entities, Warren has acted for a number of U.S. private equity and U.S. venture capital firms on a wide range of acquisitions and investments for...

Ben is a business lawyer with over 20 years’ experience representing clients on M&A, private equity, angel and venture capital transactions, and a host of other business law matters. Ben is also an active investor, and is currently Chair of two tech-based companies and a Co-Chair of Tiger 21 (North America’s preeminent peer learning group for successful, active entrepreneurs who are stewarding personal wealth of $10MM and greater ( www.tiger21.com )). Clients include business ...

Head of the Québec Business Law Group, Audrey St-Pierre has a strong experience in business, corporate and commercial law. She specializes primarily in complex mergers and acquisitions, major corporate reorganizations, equity financings and corporate restructurings. Since the beginning of her career, Audrey has been involved in transactions across the country and has been acting as a legal advisor for well-known foreign investors and acquirers. Known for her efficiency, her availabilit...

Jason practices corporate and securities law with a primary focus on mergers and acquisitions, complex commercial arrangements, including joint ventures, corporate finance and corporate law. Jason has extensive experience advising boards of directors and special committees on mergers and acquisitions (hostile and negotiated), corporate governance and shareholder activism. As a senior partner, Jason focuses on providing strategic advice on complex, high-impact transactions. Jason advises entre...

Guillaume Synnott is a partner within the Corporate/Commercial Law Group. His practice focuses on the areas of venture capital and private equity financings, mergers and acquisitions and public offerings for high-growth technology companies. Guillaume is known for his ability to provide creative solutions adapted to his clients’ strategic and business objectives. His clients range from start-up and emerging companies to well-established public companies. He also represents angel investo...

Matthew chairs our Business Law Group. His practice involves providing counsel on transactions, as well as day-to-day activities for a wide range of clients, including banks and other financial services firms, venture capital firms, private equity/merchant banks, developers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and IT, BPO and pharmaceutical companies. His corporate experience includes the successful completion of numerous complex transactions, including share and asset acquisitions and di...

Carl Tremblay is Managing Partner for the Québec City office. A leader in the Québec City business community, he is recognized for his expertise in corporate and commercial law. He focuses in particular on mergers and acquisitions and financing. Carl’s experience and professional skill ensure that clients receive the best possible services. He has been listed in several legal directories, including Chambers, Best Lawyers in Canada and Lexpert. Carl regularly takes part in ...