The De Grandpré Edge

Our philosophy parallels that of our clients - a simple and direct approach. Our business law clientèle is composed of large companies, small and medium-sized firms specializing in all areas of economic activity, as well as various financial institutions. Thanks to our prestigious affiliations, we are able to advise our clients not only at a regional and national level, but also on an international scale.

Our Expertise

In business, you can never get enough advice. DE GRANDPRÉ CHAIT’s lawyers provide you with sound recommendations for your business transactions.

Our Firm’s multilingual team is familiar with both civil law and common law legal systems. With strong ties to well-established regional, American and international law firms, we can help our clients achieve their domestic, Canadian and global business objectives.

Our Clients

We service clients in the areas of:

• banking, finance and international trade
• energy, engineering, transportation, construction and manufacturing
• services, entertainment, new technologies, e-commerce, software development and marketing
• health industries and pharmaceuticals

Our Practice Areas

Business Commercial transactions regarding product distribution, agents and commercial representatives, franchising, dealerships, merchant affiliations, joint ventures, supply, customer loyalty, services, leases and equipment leasing, non-competition and non-solicitation, research and development and product leasing.

Corporate Company start-ups, incorporations and maintenance of companies in various jurisdictions, non-profit organizations, partnerships and limited partnerships. Corporate administrative support services including annual updating of minute books and business registries, preparation and filing of annual income declarations, resolutions, provincial and federal documents, extra provincial registrations, access to out of province and American corporate databases.

Entertainment Negotiation and preparation of agreements relating to entertainment law, including artist and management contracts for recordings, exhibitions and shows, as well as other agreements for the music and publishing industries.

Trusts Setting up trusts of all types including commercial trusts, asset protection trusts, as well as family trusts.

Corporate Finance Venture capital, private financing (debt and equity), convertible debentures, institutional financing; mutual funds; real estate financing; structured financing, syndication, and establishing security.

Tax planning Domestic and international taxation; sales taxation (GST-PST); real estate taxation; corporate and individual tax planning; contestation of notices of assessment, estate planning including powers of attorney, mandates (living will), wills and life insurance, advice to business in relation to the most tax efficient structures in Canada, including the use of the trusts.

Tax litigation Oppositon proceedings, analysis of notices of assessment, representation before taxation authorities, representation before the courts, adjustment recourses.

Mergers and acquisitions Acquisitions, sales, mergers, corporate organization and restructuring, plan of arrangement, privatization, shareholder agreements and conflict resolution, due diligence, research and opinions on the applications of the Competition Act and representations before the Director.

Governance Liability of Directors and Officers, corporate governance charters, code of ethics.

International Member of major international networks, international and cross-border transactions, establishing foreign businesses and coordinating the needs of foreign clients.

Public-private partnerships Negotiation and preparation of joint venture financing, security, design and construction agreements in relation to Public-private partnerships (PPP). Cooperation with Infrastructure Québec, formerly the Agence de Partenariats public-privé du Québec, as an official supplier of legal services.

Intellectual Property Intellectual property (IP) portfolio management, trademark registrations, domain names, copyrights and industrial designs, patents including searches, priority, preparation and processing of applications, advice regarding unfair competition, infringement, grey marketing, commercial secrets, know-how, privacy rights, advertising, application of the Charter of the French Language and other laws relating to advertising and labeling, agreements and contracts pertaining to the acquisition, development, distribution and licensing of IP rights, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, due diligence.

Intellectual Property – litigation Litigation and alternative dispute revolution in matters relating to trademarks, domain names, copyrights, industrial design, patents, commercial secrets and privacy rights, representation before the courts at all levels (federal and provincial) and before specialized commissions including the Trademarks Opposition Board.

Technology Negotiation and drafting of technology related agreements, including service, subcontracting, development, acquisition, transfer, distribution, licensing, escrow, confidentiality, non-disclosure, electronic publishing, maintenance and hosting of websites for commercial, industrial, multimedia, university R&D and e-commerce sectors.

Securities Public offerings, takeover bids and issuer bids, winding-up of public companies, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT), listing on Canadian stock exchanges, Initial Public Offering (IPO), reverse takeovers, option plans, proxy solicitations, drafting of management information circulars, securities law regulation.

List of lawyers in this practice area.