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François Brais, Partner | Managing Partner, Québec Region

François Brais

Partner | Managing Partner, Québec Region Fasken
We are more powerful rowing in unison than alone to the beat of our own drum. Teamwork is at the forefront of what we do and how we do it.
Jurisdiction Québec, 1998
Language(s) French, English
Office(s) Montréal
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Overview

François Brais is the firm’s Managing Partner for the Québec Region. He oversees all strategic activities and heads a team of over 300 lawyers. François brings a very current perspective to the industry, focusing on cooperation, developing the next generation and fostering continuing education. His approach aims at ensuring Fasken’s client service excellence and the efficiency of our processes, such as by keeping abreast of the latest technological developments and through agile innovation. His personal values, which are centred on inclusion and equal opportunity, make him an exceptional leader.

Before he took on his current role as Managing Partner, François developed a business law practice focused on the investment management industry. He advised fund and asset managers on establishing new investment funds and ensuring compliance with securities laws and regulations. François also assisted clients with mergers and acquisitions of investment management firms, supporting them at every stage of the process.

François is one of the few lawyers in Canada recognized for his extensive experience in investment funds and asset management (or similar categories) by Lexpert, Chambers Canada, Best Lawyers and Who’s Who Legal Canada. He has been recognized by Thomson Reuters as a Stand-out Lawyer in 2023 (formerly known as Acritas Star™ lawyer).

Achievements

  • Recognized as a Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer (formerly known as Acritas Star™ lawyer), Thomson Reuters stand-out lawyers 2023 to 2026
  • Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in Corporate Commercial Law, Lexpert 2025 to 2026
  • Recognized in Mutual Funds Law in Montreal, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2020 to 2026
  • Recognized in Private Funds Law in Montreal, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2024 to 2026
  • Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in Corporate Finance & Securities, Lexpert 2025
  • Recognized in the area of Investment Funds & Asset Management by the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Lexpert 2010 to 2025
  • Recognized nationwide in Investment Funds , Chambers Canada 2017 to 2024
  • Recognized as Recommended in Private Funds, Lexology Index 2024
  • Recognized as Recommended in Private Funds, Who's Who Legal 2023
  • Recognized by the Who's Who Legal Canada in the area of Private Funds, Who's Who Legal Canada 2018 to 2020

Experience

  • Shakepay Inc. becomes the first Quebec-based crypto asset trading platform to be registered as a restricted dealer in Canada, [Deal - Shakepay Inc.], Following clarifications published by regulators as to the requirements applicable to crypto asset trading platforms (CTPs) operating in Canada, Shakepay Inc. decided to seek registration.
  • Fiera Capital Establishes Partnership with StonePine Asset Management, [Deal - Fiera Capital Corporation], Partnership with StonePine Asset Management.
  • Walter Global Asset Management partners with LFIS Capital, a leading European quantitative asset management firm, [Deal - Walter Global Asset Management], Montreal-based Walter Global Asset Management concludes cross-continental investment purchasing significant minority stake in LFIS Capital.
  • Fiera Capital and Fiera Investments sell retail mutual funds to Canoe Financial, [Deal - Fiera Capital], On June 26, 2020, Fiera Capital Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Fiera Investments LP, announced the closing of a transaction whereby Canoe Financial LP, a Canadian mutual fund company, has acquired the rights to manage the following Fiera Investments retail mutual funds: Fiera C...
  • Walter Global Asset Management announces new partnership with Validus Risk Management Ltd., a leading European financial risk firm, [Deal - Gestion actifs mondial Walter], Montreal-based Walter Global Asset Management concludes second cross-continental partnership.
  • Fiera Capital completes acquisition of Natixis' Canadian operations and funds, [Case - Fiera Capital], On July 3, 2019, Fiera Capital announced the completion of the acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of Natixis, the holding company of Natixis Investment Managers Canada LP, acting as investment fund manager of publicly and privately distributed investment funds. In addition to...
  • Fiera Capital Corporation sells its retail mutual funds to Canoe Financial LP, [Deal - Fiera Capital Corporation], On October 23, 2018, Fiera Capital Corporation (Fiera Capital) concluded an agreement with the Canadian mutual funds investment manager Canoe Financial LP (Canoe). Canoe thereby acquires, from Fiera Capital, the rights to manage nine mutual funds, units of which are distributed to retail investor...
  • Fiera Capital Corporation completes the previously announced acquisition of CGOV Asset Management, [Deal - Fiera Capital Corporation], On May 31, 2018, Fiera Capital Corporation (“Fiera Capital”), a leading independent asset management firm, completed the previously announced acquisition of CGOV Asset Management ("CGOV"), an Ontario-based investment management firm focused on high-net-worth and institutional investors with appro...
  • Raymond James to acquire MacDougall, MacDougall & MacTier creating Canada's leading independent investment dealer, [Deal - MacDougall, MacDougall & MacTier Inc.], On May 26, 2016, Raymond James Ltd (“Raymond James”) announced that it had entered into a definitive arrangement agreement to acquire MacDougall, MacDougall & MacTier Inc. (“3Macs”) pursuant to a plan of arrangement, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. This acquisition adds 72 adviso...

Career & Education

Education

  • LLB University of Montreal
  • B Comm University of Ottawa

Community involvement

  • Volunteer Canadian Paralympic Committee 2015 to 2023

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Member of the Board of Directors Metropolitan Orchestra 2025 to present
  • Member of the Board of Directors Fasken 2020 to present
  • Member of the Board of Directors Finance Montreal 2019 to present
  • Former Member, Regulatory Watch Committee Conseil des fonds d’investissement du Québec
  • Former Member, Board and Corporate Secretary Cercle finance du Québec
  • Member Québec Bar Association
  • Former President, Governance Committee Conseil des fonds d’investissement du Québec

Knowledge

  • Securing the Future: Government Measures for Companies Impacted by Tariffs, 3/14/2025
  • Securing the Future: Tariff Timeline, 3/11/2025
  • Securing the Future: 9 Ways to Help Your Business Adapt to New U.S. Policies, 2/21/2025
  • Interval Funds: A New Retail Investment Fund Structure, 2/16/2022
  • Additional Proficiency Options for Distributing Alternative Mutual Funds, 2/24/2021
  • Nouvelles options de formation pour les OPC alternatifs, 2/24/2021
  • Final Amendments to National Instrument 31-103 Implementing the First Phase of Client Focused Reforms, 10/21/2019
  • Regulatory Burden Reduction For Pooled Fund Managers, 8/14/2019
  • Doing Business in Quebec, Québec offers one of the most competitive, stable and innovative business environments in North America. It occupies a strategic position within the North American market, close to major trade corridors in Canada and the United States, providing businesses with efficient access to international supply chains and a business-friendly investment environment.

Events

  • Lessons from the TD Settlement, 2/9/2016
  • Restructuring and merging investment funds, 11/4/2015
  • Conference Luncheon on the Amendments to National Instrument 45-106 effective May 5 2015, 4/16/2015
  • NI 31-103 Regulatory Update, 4/17/2014
  • Proposed Pooled Registered Pension Plans - Potential Market Changer?, 4/11/2012

News

  • Fasken Welcomes Pierre-Paul Persico as New Partner to its Tax Group in Montréal, 4/7/2025
  • Julie Banville Joins Fasken as Partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group, 12/12/2024
  • Transition at Fasken’s Québec City Office: Carl Tremblay hands over the reins to Vincent Girard, 9/30/2024
  • Antoine Aylwin Appointed as a Judge to the Superior Court of Québec, 7/3/2024
  • Fasken Welcomes New Partner in Its Tax Group, 5/21/2024
  • Former Justice Minister of Canada David Lametti Joins Fasken, 1/25/2024
  • Fasken Welcomes New Partner in Real Estate Law Group, 1/10/2024
  • New Leadership for Quebec’s Largest Law Firm, 11/23/2023
  • Fasken Announces Several New Leaders Both Firm-wide and Regionally, 11/21/2023
  • Chambers Canada 2017 Guide recognizes 83 Fasken Martineau lawyers and names us “Employment Law Firm of the Year”, 10/3/2016

Publications

  • Chambers Investment Funds 2019: Canada, 12/31/2019
  • IIROC Proposes Additional Changes to the Dealer Member Plain Language Rule Book, 4/6/2017
  • The CSA Move Forward on Consultations Regarding the Discontinuation of Embedded Commissions, 3/6/2017
  • Recent amendments to NI 45-106 : What the Fund Management Industry Needs to Know, 3/20/2015
  • Update on an Alternative Funds Framework for Investment Funds, 2/24/2015
  • Investment Products & Wealth Management Newsletter, 2/25/2011
Article IIROC Proposes Additional Changes to the Dealer Member Plain Language Rule Book TIMELY disclosure
Article The CSA Move Forward on Consultations Regarding the Discontinuation of Embedded Commissions TIMELY disclosure