Michel Gélinas

Partner

Michel Gélinas

Michel Gélinas

Partner

Clients have described Michel as being exceptionally responsive, very experienced, practical and thoughtful.

Michel focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital and corporate finance transactions. Michel regularly represents U.S., European and other international clients investing in Canada through M&A, joint ventures or greenfield investments, as well as Canadian clients expanding abroad.

Earlier in his career, Michel practised corporate and securities law in New York.

Michel Gélinas

Partner

Clients have described Michel as being exceptionally responsive, very experienced, practical and thoughtful.

Michel focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital and corporate finance transactions. Michel regularly represents U.S., European and other international clients investing in Canada through M&A, joint ventures or greenfield investments, as well as Canadian clients expanding abroad.

Earlier in his career, Michel practised corporate and securities law in New York.

Article

Technology M&A 2024, Canada chapter, co-author

Oct. 31, 2023 - Panoramic (Lexology)
Download the chapter.

Article

Technology M&A 2023, Canada chapter, co-author

Feb. 21, 2023 - Getting the Deal Through (Lexology)
Download the chapter.

Article

International M&A Due Diligence Manual, Second Edition, Canada chapter, co-author

May 27, 2022 - Mergers and Acquisition Committee (ABA Publishing)
Read the chapter (available for purchase).

Speaking Engagement

Moderator, American Bar Association, Business Law Section Hybrid Annual Meeting, International Business Transactions Subcommittee, “How Supply Chain Disruptions are Impacting M&A Deals”; March 31-April 2, 2022

Mar. 31, 2022

Speaking Engagement

Moderator, American Bar Association, Business Law Section Annual Meeting, “ The Gig Economy and M&A – Traps for the Unwary”; Virtual Meeting

Sept. 22, 2021

Speaking Engagement

Moderator and speaker, MEGAMIGS-PRO ‒ Montréal International Video Game Summit, “Financing or Selling Your Studio – Be prepared!”; Virtual Conference

Nov. 20, 2020

Article

The New British Invasion: Will European Deal Terms Rock the U.S. M&A Boat?

Nov. 14, 2019 - Business Law Today (American Bar Association)
Read the article.

Speaking Engagement

Chair, American Bar Association, Business Law Section Annual Meeting, “Coming To America – European M&A Deal Trends are Increasingly Found in U.S. Deals”; Washington, D.C.

Sept. 13, 2019

Speaking Engagement

American Bar Association, Business Law Section, “Minority Exit Rights by Private Equity Investors in Privately Held Companies”; Vancouver, BC

Mar. 28, 2019

Article

Will Canada Finally End Up with a Securities and Exchange Commission?, co-author

Feb. 01, 2019 - State Regulation of Securities Committee Newsletter (American Bar Association)

Article

Private Equity in Canada: Market and Regulatory Overview, co-author

June 01, 2017 - Practical Law (Thomson Reuters)

Article

Venture Capital Investment in Canada: Market and Regulatory Overview, co-author

June 01, 2017 - Practical Law (Thomson Reuters)

Speaking Engagement

The Florida Bar, International Law Section, Annual Convention of Florida Bar, “International Business Expansion from the United States”; Orlando, FL

Feb. 01, 2017

Speaking Engagement

American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Spring Meeting, “Expanding Abroad From the United States - What You Don't Know May Hurt Your Business”; Montréal, QC

Apr. 08, 2016

Article

A Primer on Canadian Foreign Investment Rules including Recent Developments, co-author

Apr. 01, 2016 - Business Law Today (American Bar Association)

Speaking Engagement

American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Annual Meeting, “Managing Legal Risks in Multijurisdictional M&A Transactions”; Chicago, IL

Sept. 19, 2015

Article

Important Recent Amendments to Canadian Foreign Investment Rules

Aug. 01, 2015 - Middle Market Committee Newsletter (American Bar Association)

Speaking Engagement

American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Annual Meeting, “Exiting with an ESOP: A Compelling Exit Strategy for a Privately-Held Business”; Chicago, IL

Sept. 11, 2014

Speaking Engagement

American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Annual Meeting, “Don't Rush for the Emergency Exit: Planning an Exit Strategy to Maximize Shareholder Value”; Chicago, IL

Aug. 02, 2012

IFLR1000: Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms—Mergers and Acquisitions

Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A

Lexpert Special Edition: Technology and Health Sciences

Lexpert Guide to US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyers in Canada—Mergers & Acquisitions

The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory—Corporate Commercial Law; Corporate Mid-Market; Mergers and Acquisitions; Private Equity; Technology Transactions

The Best Lawyers in Canada—Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice; Corporate Governance Practice; Corporate Law; Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law (Lawyer of the Year 2022, Montréal); Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Technology Law; Venture Capital Law (Lawyer of the Year 2023, Montréal)

Who’s Who Legal: M&A and Governance—Mergers and Acquisitions; Who’s Who Legal: Canada—Mergers and Acquisitions

Martindale-Hubbell—Distinguished rating for high professional achievement

Bar Admissions

Quebec, 1992

Education

University of Montreal, LLB, 1991
McGill University, MBA (Finance & International Business), 1994
University of Ottawa, BComm (Finance) (Cum Laude & Dean’s List), 1988

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association
Canadian Bar Association
Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association
Quebec MBA Association

Board Memberships

American Bar Association, Business Law Section, International Business Transactions Subcommittee, co-chair
American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Publications Board, former member