François D. Gagnon

Partner

Montréal
[email protected]
514.954.2553
514.792.5309

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.

François has pioneered in the drafting and application of safeguard orders in commercial disputes between landlords and tenants and in commercial mortgage foreclosure proceedings.

Experience

  • 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

Beyond our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Member, Canadian Bar Association, National Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Restructuring Law Section
  • Member, Turnaround Management Association, Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law Section
  • Member, University of San Diego Alumni Association

Community Involvement

  • Member, BLG Reads to Kids

Awards & Recognitions

  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2019) of The Best Lawyers (Insolvency & Financial Restructuring)
  • Recognized in the 2022 edition (and since 2017) of IFLR1000 – The Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms (Restructuring and Insolvency, Financial Restructuring).
  • Recognized in the 2024, 2023, 2020, and 2019 editions of The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Insolvency & Financial Restructuring).

Bar Admission & Education

  • Québec, 1993
  • LLB, Université de Montréal, 1991
  • Certificate in International Law, University of San Diego School of Law, 1990
  • Minor in Business Administration, HEC Montréal, 1988