François is recognized for the rigour of his analysis, the quality of his legal arguments, and the strength of his writing. He brings this expertise to bear on high-stakes litigation matters, developing strategies and compelling arguments before trial and appellate courts alike. He also delivers complex legal opinions relied on by every one of the firm’s practice groups in their most demanding mandates.
On the litigation side, François works alongside the firm’s teams on significant trials and appeals, from shaping the overall strategy to building the case to be made. He has a particular knack for pinpointing the strongest arguments and presenting them in clear, well-structured, and persuasive written advocacy. Beyond the courtroom, he puts the same skills to work for every practice group at the firm, leading in-depth research projects and writing legal opinions on the most challenging questions, often in connection with major transactions and regulatory reviews.
François’s practice spans civil, commercial, administrative, and constitutional law. He works in particular on matters involving consumer protection, competition law, securities law, the distribution of financial products and services, professional regulation, corporate and commercial law, franchising, municipal law, private international law, and fundamental rights.
With training in both Quebec civil law and Canadian common law, François draws on this dual background whenever a mandate calls for it. He studied civil law at the Université de Montréal before earning his Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, and went on to clerk at the Supreme Court of Canada for the Honourable Justice Clément Gascon. He is a member of the Barreau du Québec and the Law Society of Ontario.
Representative Work
- Xebec Adsorption Group
The Xebec Group in its cross-border restructuring and eleven plans of arrangement under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
- Association of Ontario Chicken Processors
The Association of Ontario Chicken Processors in its intervention before the Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec to preserve harmonized assurance of supply for chicken processors in Québec and Ontario.
- The Association of Ontario Chicken Processors in its intervention before the Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec to preserve harmonized assurance of supply for chicken processors in Québec and Ontario.
- Acts for the plaintiff Bruno Gélinas-Faucher in his constitutional challenge of section 282 of the Quebec Election Act, which deprives persons domiciled in Quebec from the righy to vote by mail after two years of temporary residence abroad.
- Amex Bank of Canada in connection with the defence of four class actions concerning credit card fees and various provisions of the Consumer Protection Act.
- Hydro Québec in connection with the defense of two class actions related to administrative fees and the implementation of a new billing system.
- Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. and certain of its board members, in connection with a proposed class action and an authorization request to bring an action in accordance with Article 225.4 of the Securities Act brought by shareholders.
- Amaya Inc. and certain of its board members, in connection with a proposed class action and an application for leave to bring an action under section 225.4 of the Securities Act brought by shareholders
- Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix Inc. – defence of a class action concerning the right to unilaterally modify a loyalty reward program and the application of the Consumer Protection Act.
The Xebec Group in its cross-border restructuring and eleven plans of arrangement under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
The Association of Ontario Chicken Processors in its intervention before the Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec to preserve harmonized assurance of supply for chicken processors in Québec and Ontario.
- Amex Bank of Canada in connection with the defence of four class actions concerning credit card fees and various provisions of the Consumer Protection Act.
- Hydro Québec in connection with the defense of two class actions related to administrative fees and the implementation of a new billing system.
- Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. and certain of its board members, in connection with a proposed class action and an authorization request to bring an action in accordance with Article 225.4 of the Securities Act brought by shareholders.
- Amaya Inc. and certain of its board members, in connection with a proposed class action and an application for leave to bring an action under section 225.4 of the Securities Act brought by shareholders
- Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix Inc. – defence of a class action concerning the right to unilaterally modify a loyalty reward program and the application of the Consumer Protection Act.
Latest Insights
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Osler Update June 2, 2026
Québec’s new municipal contracting framework comes into effect
We lay out the major changes from the previous regime.
Read more
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Osler Update May 13, 2026
Voting by mail extended in Québec: successful court challenge leads to amendment of the Election Act
The amendment follows a decision issued last year by the Superior Court of Québec on a challenge in which Osler represented the plaintiff pro bono.
Read more -
Osler Update March 24, 2026
A client may terminate a service agreement to further its own commercial interests, Superior Court of Québec rules
The decision reaffirms the discretionary nature of a client’s right to terminate a service contract.
Read more -
Osler Update July 21, 2025
Québec court issues key decision on public access to…access to information requests
Access to information requests themselves are not immune from access under the province’s access to information legislation.
Read more
Awards and Recognition
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Best Lawyers: Recognized as “One to Watch” in Corporate and Commercial Litigation
Media Mentions
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Osler News February 19, 2026
Osler welcomes 11 new partners and three new counsel in 2026
Congratulations to our 11 new partners and three new counsel from our offices in Toronto and Montréal.
Read more -
Osler News February 16, 2024
Osler welcomes seven new partners and one new counsel in 2024
Osler is pleased to announce the addition of seven new partners and one new counsel across our offices in Toronto, Montréal, Calgary and Vancouver,...
Read more
Speaking and Writing
Published Work
Co-author, with Éric Préfontaine & Fabrice Benoît, “Les actions collectives en valeurs mobilières, le lien de causalité et la théorie de la fraude dans le marché”, in Développements récents en litige de valeurs mobilières (2023), (Montréal: Éditions Yvon Blais, 2023), p 262.
Credentials
Education
- Osgoode Hall Law School, Juris Doctor
- Université de Montréal, Bachelor of Civil Law
- Université de Montréal, Bachelor of Psychology
Languages
- English
- French
- Portuguese
Professional Affiliations
- Barreau du Québec
- Law Society of Ontario
