Paul-André Mathieu is the founding shareholder of the firm. He was called to Bar in 1984. His practice is oriented in the field of business and corporate matters and intellectual property. Me Mathieu completed a master’s degree in law at Université de Montréal at the term of which he wrote a thesis on the legal nature of the franchise agreement under the Civil code of the Province of Quebec. His thesis was published shortly after by Éditions Yvon Blais inc.
Over the years since his graduation, Mr Mathieu has worked on the creation and development of numerous franchise and distribution networks, some of which have become some of the largest in their field in Canada.
Me Mathieu has worked on a great number of franchise networks in the field of professional services (pharmacists, optometrist, opticians, veterinarians and real-estate brokerage).
Me Mathieu is a regular writer and speaker on franchising and intellectual property issues.
Since the foundation of the firm, Me Mathieu has pleaded before arbitration committees, disciplinary committees, as well as first instance and appellate tribunals (including the Supreme Court of Canada) level in commercial matters, such as shareholders dispute, restrictive covenants matters and trademarks and bankruptcy issues as well as disciplinary issues.
Me Mathieu is one of the few lawyers who practice in intellectual property issues in the context of bankruptcies.
Me Mathieu has helped the firm to develop its competence not only in the field of professional issues but also in mergers, acquisitions of mid-size to large corporations. As an indication of this, the firm was involved in 2017 with the sale of Iris, le groupe Visuel (1990) Inc, to New Look as well as with the acquisition by Brookfield of Proprio Direct Inc.