Building, protecting and enforcing trademarks
François’s practice centers on the full trademark lifecycle and is complemented by deep experience in copyright, IP‑related contracts and regulatory compliance. He has a particular specialty in matters engaging the Charter of the French Language.
A practical, results-driven approach to IP strategy and IP disputes
Over his career, François has built long-term relationships with clients. He takes pride in being a business partner with clients and providing them with clear advice in a responsive manner.
He works with organizations of every size, from local ventures to global enterprises, across all sectors, and advocates before courts and administrative tribunals in the full range of intellectual property disputes. His combined legal and business training represents his practical and results‑oriented approach.
François plays an active leadership role in the IP community. He sat on and/or chaired several committees of the International Trademark Association (INTA), including INTA’s North America Global Advisory Council, and of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC). He currently sits on INTA’s Trademark Legislation and Regulation Committee.
François is recognized for his excellence and has been consistently named in leading legal directories including Lexology Index, the Best Lawyers in Canada™, The Canadian Legal LEXPERT Directory, World Trademark Review 1000, Mondaq Thought Leadership Awards, Expert Guides, and World IP Review Leaders.
Qualifications
- News
- Speaking
- Industry Involvement
- In the Media
- "Bill 96 in its Final Form: Essential Insights and Compliance Strategies for In-House Counsel", Alexa Translations, January 23, 2025
- Quebec’s French Language Charter Rights: Bill 96 Impacts and Key Considerations, February 27, 2024
- International Business Training – Intellectual Property in the United States, December 13, 2023
- Congrès annuel des parajuristes 2023, June 7, 2023
- Advertising & Marketing Law: Social, Digital, Online Compliance, June 6, 2023
- Les développements récents en propriété intellectuelle et en droit du divertissement 2021, November 12, 2021
- Canadian IP Voices Episode 8: How copyright works when we share things on social media, November 3, 2021
- Webinaire itinérant sur les services et initiatives de l’OMPI – Jour 1, June 3, 2021
- One-Hour Coaching Session for Start-Ups, March 25, 2021
- Workshop on Intellectual Property for Start-Ups, February 11, 2021
- Intellectual Property for Software Inventions, January 15, 2021
- Les développements récents en propriété intellectuelle et en droit du divertissement 2020, November 13, 2020
- Workshop on Intellectual Property for Start-Ups, November 12, 2020
- IP Seminar: Protecting Cannabis and Artificial Intelligence (AI), September 26, 2019
- INTA 141st Annual Meeting, May 18-22, 2019
- Colloque sur la Propriété Intellectuelle 2018, November 16, 2018
Memberships
- Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC)
- International Trademark Association (INTA); Legislation & Regulations Committee (2026-2027)
- Quebec Bar (QB)
- College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents (CPATA)
Teaching Activities
- 2025 IPIC-McGill Intellectual Property Summer Program
- 2022 IPIC-McGill Intellectual Property Summer Program
- 2021 IPIC-McGill Intellectual Property Summer Program
- 2019 IPIC-McGill Intellectual Property Summer Program
- Ce « styliste de stars » vend des contrefaçons, Radio-Canada, March 17, 2026