Francis has been practising employment and benefits law since the beginning of his career. He advises employers on various employment issues, including executive compensation, employment agreements, labour standards, management of employment relationships, incentive compensation plans, employment terms and conditions, negotiation and application of collective bargaining agreements, human rights and accommodation, occupational health and safety, pay equity, application of the Quebec Charter of the French Language, benefit plans, access to information, and privacy and protection of personal information in the employment context.
In this capacity, Francis represents and defends employers before the Quebec administrative authorities who are the subject of any investigation or demand, and before the Quebec judicial and quasi-judicial bodies in the context of litigation and settlement negotiations. He also advises and assists employers with internal investigations in his areas of practice.
At all stages of Canadian and transnational business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, financings, arrangements and restructurings, Francis routinely acts as legal counsel to buyers, sellers and insurers on strategic and sensitive issues relating to employment, labour, benefits and pension matters. He also advises as to integration of the workforce and management of changes in working conditions. Francis is also actively involved in commercial negotiations relating to these issues in the context of these transactions.
He also regularly advises local, national and international employers on a variety of compliance and adequacy issues under Quebec and Canadian employment and benefits laws, including pension plans.
Francis advises, on a pro bono basis, numerous charitable organizations located in Quebec and other provinces, as well as abroad, in his areas of practice.
He is fluent in French and English.