Recent representative matters include advising:

• Several investment funds in connection with their formation and their subsequent investments

• A large technology company in connection with the acquisition of Canadian-based data centers

• The shareholders of a large pharmaceutical company in connection with the sale of the business

• A leading professional services firm in connection with a tax dispute with the Canadian tax authorities

• A leading Quebec-based energy provider in connection with its acquisition of the U.S. energy firm Standard Solar

• A Canadian trust on a tax dispute regarding its provincial residency in Canada

• A large NYSE-listed technology company on its acquisitions of a variety of Canadian-based technology businesses

• A leading Quebec-based energy provider in connection with its numerous public offerings of debt and equity securities, as well as asset divestitures

• A leading Quebec-based energy provider in connection with the reorganization of its public ownership structure into a new TSX-listed corporation

• A leading Quebec-based energy provider in connection with the structuring and implementation of its participation in a wind-farm project and its acquisition of a variety of U.S.-based energy businesses

• A private equity fund on disposition of their Canadian and foreign subsidiaries in the aerospace business to a NYSE-listed company

• A real estate investment trust in connection with its initial public offering and listing on the TSX

François is recognized as a leading lawyer in the following publications:

• The Best Lawyers in Canada – 2015–2024 (Tax Law)

• The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory – 2018–2024 (Corporate Tax)

• The Legal 500 Canada 2017 (Tax)

François is a member of the Association du Barreau du Québec , the Canadian Bar Association, the Paris Bar, the Quebec Chartered Professional Accountants Order, the Canadian Tax Foundation, the International Fiscal Association, the Association de planification fiscale et financière (APFF) and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

François is the author of numerous tax publications and a regular speaker at conferences on tax matters.

Admitted to the Paris Bar – 2012
Admitted to the Quebec Bar – 1992
LLB, Université de Montréal – 1991
Admitted to the Quebec Chartered Professional Accountants Order – 1988
BComm, HEC Montréal – 1986