William Deneault-Rouillard

Overview

William’s practice includes a focus on commercial law, data governance, privacy, cybersecurity and online marketing. He assists emerging tech companies and data-driven businesses with legal risk management and contractual negotiations, and advises them on the operationalization of concepts such as privacy by design in a wide range of industries, including software-as-a-service (SaaS), big data, FinTech, EdTech, MedTech, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), neurotechnology and blockchain.

William is known for his ability to provide creative solutions adapted to clients’ strategic and business objectives. The companies he assists range from start-up and emerging companies to Fortune 100 and 500 companies.

With a background as a M&A corporate lawyer, William frequently drafts and negotiates various types of commercial contracts, including SaaS and data processing agreements. He also advises clients on consumer protection requirements applicable to e-commerce and digital services. Upon multijurisdictional data breaches, William assists clients during the whole incident response and remediation process to mitigate the risks of exposure and subsequent litigation. Recognized by its clients and its peers for its versatility, he also provides regulatory advice on all issues related to the Charter of the French Language, product labelling and advertising.

Engaged in the business community and within his peers, he acts since 2020 as a lawyer in residence for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (Innovation and Digital Economy Committees), as vice-president of the Tech Law Committee of the Young Bar of Montreal, and is a member of the board of directors of the Young Leaders Circle of the International Economic Forum of the Americas.

Achievements

Recognised as a Mondaq Thought Leading Author for Data Protection, Canada, Mondaq 2022

2022 Mondaq Recognised as a Mondaq Thought Leading Author for Data Protection, Canada Mondaq is an intelligent syndication platform providing world class content and insights from professional services firms. Read more

Client Work

Clearspring Capital Partners and OneLink Capital invest in Groupe Tecnic and École de conduite Tecnic Rive-Nord alongside one of the founding families,
Wavin B.V. acquires Bow Plumbing Group Inc., a leading Montreal-based manufacturer of plastic pipes and fittings,
Champlain Financial Corporation acquires Armoires Cuisines Action,
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. acquires PCI-Perrault Conseils Inc.,
GrowthCurve Capital acquires a majority interest in Montreal-based leading play-to-earn and game discovery platform,
Coveo Solutions Inc. closes $215 million initial public offering and concurrent private placement,
Advent International acquires leading specialty chemicals solutions provider Caldic from Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Ongoing since November 2021
Merger of AGA Benefit Solutions and WBL Benefits and Actuarial,
Walter Global Asset Management, in partnership with Bonnefield Financial’s management team, on its acquisition of Bonnefield Financial,

Deal December 2022 Advised 9356-8236 Quebec Inc Clearspring Capital Partners and OneLink Capital invest in Groupe Tecnic and École de conduite Tecnic Rive-Nord alongside one of the founding families Groupe Tecnic is the largest network of driving schools in North America, serving more than 70,000 new students each year. Read more

Deal August 2022 Advised Wavin B.V Wavin B.V. acquires Bow Plumbing Group Inc., a leading Montreal-based manufacturer of plastic pipes and fittings Wavin’s investment in the Bow Plumbing Group strengthens and extends its presence in the market to serve customers and stakeholders with efficient, end-to-end solutions for water management. Read more

Deal July 2022 Advised Champlain Financial Corporation Champlain Financial Corporation acquires Armoires Cuisines Action Read more

Deal March 2022 Advised Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. acquires PCI-Perrault Conseils Inc. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co is a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Read more

Deal December 2021 Advised GrowthCurve Capital GrowthCurve Capital acquires a majority interest in Montreal-based leading play-to-earn and game discovery platform Fasken has acted as Canadian counsel to GrowthCurve Capital in its acquisition of a majority interest in Mistplay Read more

Deal November 2021 Advised The Underwriters Coveo Solutions Inc. closes $215 million initial public offering and concurrent private placement Coveo Solutions Inc. is a market-leading AI-powered relevance platform. Read more

Deal Ongoing since November 2021 Advising Advent International Advent International acquires leading specialty chemicals solutions provider Caldic from Goldman Sachs Asset Management Advent International is one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors. Read more

Deal September 2021 Advised AGA Financial Group Inc. Merger of AGA Benefit Solutions and WBL Benefits and Actuarial This new group will benefit from WBL’s brokerage and in-dept analysis experience combined with AGA’s exclusive and innovative products and services to develop new markets across Canada. Read more

Deal March 2021 Advised Walter Global Asset Management Walter Global Asset Management, in partnership with Bonnefield Financial’s management team, on its acquisition of Bonnefield Financial Acted for Walter Global Assed Management in connection with its acquisition of a majority interest in Bonnefield Financial Inc., a Canadian farmland asset management leader. Read more

All Client Work

Career & Education

Education

LLM, Information Technology Law Université de Montréal 2020
LLB Université Laval 2017
Certificate, Business Administration Université de Sherbrooke 2014

Memberships & Affiliations

Lawyer in residence, Canadian Chamber of Commerce (Innovation and Digital Economy committees)
Vice-president, Technology committee of the Young Bar of Montreal
Member of the Board of Directors, Circle of Young Leaders of the International Economic Forum of the Americas
Member – St. Lawrence Consortium