Maurice Forget specializes in transactions for the purchase and sale or restructuring of businesses and in distributions of securities. He has directed teams which have carried out major restructurings in the financial services sector, particularly relating to trust and insurance companies, as well as the creation of business combinations in various industries such as broadcasting, forestry products, transportation, paper mills, construction and important manufacturers of consumer products. He is regular general commercial law counsel to several national and multinational businesses in the manufacturing and service sectors.
In the area of securities, he has represented both issuers and underwriters in securities distributions of all kinds, by way of prospectus and private placement. In the last few years, he has acted in many significant take-over bids and reorganizations of publicly-traded corporations.
Since his first ten years of practice were mainly devoted to the areas of intellectual and industrial property, Mr. Forget is well versed in international technological joint venture agreements, as well as licensing and franchise agreements and language laws.
Mr. Forget serves or has served on the board of directors of the following corporations:
- Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada (director, Chair of the Ethics and Nominations Committee and member of the Audit Committee);
- MDS Life Sciences Technology Fund II (QCP) Inc. (director);
- Cabano-Kingsway Inc. (now TransForce Income Fund), from 1985 to 1995 (director and member of the Executive Committee) de 1985 à 1995;
- American Express (Canada) Inc., from 1982 to 1985 (director).
Mr. Forget has also been honorary consul in Montréal for the Republic of Estonia since 2003.
Honours and Awards
- Recipient of the Order of Canada for Philanthropy in Education, Health and the Arts
- Jubilee Medal (2002)
- DEC Honoris Causa (Dawson College)
- "Maurice Forget" Conference Room, Douglas Mental Health University Institute
Membership/Affiliations
- Member, Québec Bar
- Member, Québec Bar, Advisory Committee on the Act respecting insurance
- Member, Canadian Bar Association
- Member, Bar of Montréal
- Chairman, Bar of Montréal, Library
- Member, Bar of Montréal, Disciplinary Committee
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Licensing Executives Society
- Governor, Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal
- President, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin
Mr. Forget is also recognized for his involvement in the Montréal community, where he has directed the philanthropic activities of several major educational, health and arts institutions, including the following:
- Douglas Hospital;
- Dawson College;
- Fondation Héritage Montréal;
- Amis du Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal;
- Conseil des arts de Montréal (1999 to 2006);
- Association des collections d'entreprises (founding member and former president);
- Artwork collection of Fasken Martineau's Montréal office.