François Gagnon advises various stakeholders with regard to restructurings under the Companies Creditors' Arrangements Act and restructurings and liquidations under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. He frequently represents:
- insolvent debtor companies
- major secured and unsecured creditors
- monitors
- directors
- asset purchasers
In addition to his specialized knowledge in corporate restructurings, François has considerable litigation experience in other fields of practice, including real estate, fraud, banking and shareholder disputes, which frequently proves highly useful in dealing with litigious and contested restructurings. This expertise enables François to skilfully represent real estate developers and property owners, and, in particular, the largest real estate investment trust in Canada, in disputes related to the holding and management of their properties.
François has pleaded before all judicial bodies in Québec, including the Québec Court of Appeal, as well as administrative and arbitration tribunals. He has also made representations on motions for leave to appeal before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Experience
- Represented Amsino International Inc. in the acquisition of MedXL Inc. and Liebel-Flarsheim Canada Inc., Canadian manufacturers of medical devices, as part of MedXL Inc. et al.'s CCAA proceeding.
- Represented Bell Media in its acquisition of Octane Racing Group , the exclusive promoter of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, the largest annual sports and tourism event in Canada.
- Acting for FMC Lithium USA Corp. / Livent Corporation in the Nemaska Lithium inc. et al. CCAA proceedings.
- The special committee of senior secured noteholders and their trustee, in the cross-border restructuring of AbitibiBowater
- Mexicana Airlines and its foreign representative in proceedings instituted under Part IV of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act
- Various creditors and a potential purchaser of assets in the restructuring of Aveos Fleet Performance Inc. et al.
- A secured creditor in the cross-border restructuring of Quebecor World Inc.
- A controller in the restructuring of Canadian asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP)
- The controller in proceedings relating to the restructuring of Boutique Jacob Inc.
- The landlord under a lease redemption agreement in the informal restructuring of BELLUS Health
- The short-term lender in the restructuring of Béton Grilli
- The principal secured creditor in the restructurings of Blackwatch Entertainment Group and Telescene Film Group, television and film producers
- Effigi in its restructuring and proposal under the BIA, as well as in various commercial disputes
- A former director of Chantier A.C. Davie in the restructuring of that company
- Allianz Madvac and its majority shareholder in a receivership
- Represented Amsino International Inc. in the acquisition of MedXL Inc. and Liebel-Flarsheim Canada Inc., Canadian manufacturers of medical devices, as part of MedXL Inc. et al.'s CCAA proceeding.
- Represented Bell Media in its acquisition of Octane Racing Group , the exclusive promoter of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, the largest annual sports and tourism event in Canada.
- Acting for FMC Lithium USA Corp. / Livent Corporation in the Nemaska Lithium inc. et al. CCAA proceedings.
- The special committee of senior secured noteholders and their trustee, in the cross-border restructuring of AbitibiBowater
- Mexicana Airlines and its foreign representative in proceedings instituted under Part IV of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act
- Various creditors and a potential purchaser of assets in the restructuring of Aveos Fleet Performance Inc. et al.
- A secured creditor in the cross-border restructuring of Quebecor World Inc.
- A controller in the restructuring of Canadian asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP)
- The controller in proceedings relating to the restructuring of Boutique Jacob Inc.
- The landlord under a lease redemption agreement in the informal restructuring of BELLUS Health
- The short-term lender in the restructuring of Béton Grilli
- The principal secured creditor in the restructurings of Blackwatch Entertainment Group and Telescene Film Group, television and film producers
- Effigi in its restructuring and proposal under the BIA, as well as in various commercial disputes
- A former director of Chantier A.C. Davie in the restructuring of that company
- Allianz Madvac and its majority shareholder in a receivership
