Partner

Jean-Sébastien Desroches practises business law and focuses primarily on Canadian and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, infrastructure, renewable energy and project development, as well as strategic partnerships. He was the firm's head of practice for the Business Law Group until 2018.

He has led a number of large-scale projects and transactions, especially in the context of major Canadian and international investments for Canadian, American and European clients, multinational corporations, and institutional clients. His work has involved managing large multidisciplinary teams.

Representing a top-tier clients of entrepreneurs, private companies, major institutions and investors, Jean-Sébastien focuses on helping them structure and execute their most important initiatives, including strategic projects, international growth plans and joint ventures.

Jean-Sébastien also has a long-standing interest in projects and developments related to artificial intelligence (AI), especially regarding the various branches and applications of artificial intelligence in businesses and industries. In 2017, he founded the Lavery Legal Lab on Artificial Intelligence (L³IA), which analyzes, anticipates and monitors developments in this field.

Education

• North American Common Law Courses, Université de Montréal, 2002
• LL.M. in Business Law, Université Laval, 2000
• Canadian Securities Course, Canadian Securities Institute
• Derivatives Fundamentals Course, Canadian Securities Institute
• LL.B., Université de Montréal, 1997
• European Union Law, Université de Nice, France (UFC), 1996
• Certificate in Political Science, Université de Montréal, 1994

Significant Accomplishments

Infrastructure, Renewable Energy and Major Projects

• Represented a major international company in the acquisition of renewable energy projects and assets
• Represented a federal Crown corporation in connection with the development of a major pan-Canadian project
• Represented a Quebec principal contractor in the context of a Canadian public transportation infrastructure initiative
• Represented an energy company in setting up a joint venture in the artificial intelligence field
• Represented a major energy company in the establishment of a partnership for the development of renewable energy assets and projects
• Represented CDPQ Infra Inc. in the setting up of the Montréal Réseau express métropolitain (REM), one of the largest automated transportation networks in the world with 67 km and 26 stations, for the acquisition of infrastructure and the transactional, real estate and regulatory aspects
• Established an investment fund in the real estate, infrastructure and sustainable investment sectors
• Represented institutional and private investors in the establishment of investment funds across the infrastructure, transportation and energy sectors
• Represented Freestone International L.L.C. and GNL Québec Inc. in the implementation of an investment structure and financing rounds aimed at the development of a project worth USD 7 billion to establish a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the Port of Saguenay site for export
• Represented the Société de transport de l'Outaouais in the acquisition and implementation of the Rapibus infrastructure network
• Represented Stornoway Diamonds Inc. in setting up its Plan Nord infrastructure project and partnership with the Quebec government for the construction and maintenance of the Route 167 Extension to the Otish Mountains
• Represented a major Canadian engineering firm regarding the implementation of private-public partnerships for the construction, management and maintenance of hydroelectric power plants
• Represented the Quebec Railway Corporation Inc. in multi-party transactions for the sale of businesses involving Canadian National Railway Inc., Groupe Le Massif Inc.and Logistec Corporation

M&A and Investments

• Represented the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) in connection with private placements and investments, in particular with WSP Group, Modulable-AMB, Beyond Technologies, Savaria Corporation, Stornoway Diamonds, Top Aces, Groupe Marcelle (Lise Watier acquisition), Fix Auto, ACH Limited Partnership and Abitibi-Consolidated Hydro Inc.
• Represented Héroux-Devtek Inc. and its subsidiaries in the acquisition of Compañía Española de Sistemas Aeronáuticos (Spain), Beaver Aerospace & Defence (USA), APPH Limited (United Kingdom) and APPH Wichita (USA) (subsidiaries of BBA Aviation), and Eagle Tools & Machine and E2 Precision Products (USA)
• Represented Devencore Corporation in connection with the sale of its business to Avison Young
• Represented financial groups and investors in connection with the implementation of investment programs during the COVID-19 crisis
• Represented the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec in the creation of a global aircraft investment platform worth USD 2 billion called Einn Volant Aircraft Leasing (EVAL) in collaboration with GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)
• Represented GFT Technologies SE (Germany) in the acquisition of V-NEO Inc.
• Represented Owl's Head Resort and Fred Korman for the sale of the Owl's Head Resort to a group of investors
• Quebec special advisor for BD White Birch Investment LLC (Black Diamond) in the acquisition of the assets of White Birch Paper Company in a reorganization context
• Represented Total S.A. in the acquisition of assets in Ultramar Inc. and Tribospec Inc.
• Represented Lallemand Inc. and its affiliates in the implementation of a cooperation agreement with BrettYoung Seeds Limited, the acquisition of an organic products portfolio and the acquisition of Harmonium International Inc.
• Represented Hutchinson S.A. in the acquisition of Marquez Transtech Ltd.
• Represented GDI Integrated Facility Services Inc. in a reorganization by way of a plan of arrangement, the listing of the company's securities on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the prospectus distribution of subordinate voting shares for proceeds of more than $161 million
• Represented Trencap L.P. in the acquisition of equity interests held by GDF Suez in Noverco Inc. (Énergir)
• Represented Neuvoo.ca in connection with a $53M equity investment by an institutional investor
• Represented MTY Food Group Inc. in connection with the acquisition of the Canadian franchise network of Yuzu Sushi
• Represented Confab Laboratories Inc. in connection with transactions with Roundtable Healthcare Partners L.P. and DPT Laboratories Ltd. (USA)
• Represented the Industrial Alliance in the acquisition of National Warranties MRWV Limited
• Represented UAP Inc. in the acquisition of Uni-Select Inc.'s Palmar Division
• Represented V Interactions Inc. in the acquisition of Groupe TQS and television networks
• Represented Zimmer Holdings Inc. in the acquisition of ORTHOsoft Inc. by way of a takeover bid
• Represented Activision Inc. with respect to the acquisition of Beenox Inc.
• Represented Sabex Inc. with respect to its acquisition by Sandoz Canada Inc.

Publications

• "AI: Where Do We Go From Here?", June 2025
• "Artificial intelligence and its legal challenges", May 2017
• "Artificial intelligence and the 2017 Canadian budget: Is your business ready?", March 2017
• "The Supreme Court of Canada Renders a Decision on Restrictive Covenants Contained in an Asset Sale Agreement", In Fact and In Law Express
• "Financing Growth Through Venture Capital", Master's thesis

Lectures

• Corporate law course: Association de planification fiscale et financière (APFF)
• "Five Common Mistakes in International Joint Ventures", International Bar Association (North American Regional Forum News)
• "The Supreme Court of Canada Renders a Decision on Restrictive Covenants Contained in an Asset Sale Agreement", In Fact and In Law Express
• "Strategic Partnerships and Joint Ventures", presentation given to the Chief Executive Officers Alliance (Quebec)
• "M&A Trends for 2013 in Canada", International Bar Association (North American Regional Forum News)
• "Financing Growth through Strategic International Joint Ventures", Training sessions, Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal
• "Negotiating Letters of Intention and Letters of Offer", numerous presentations given to the professional orders of accountants, Montréal divisions
• "Negotiating Agreements with International Corporations", Conference Insight Institute
• "The Private and Public Call for Tenders Process", Lavery Conferences
• Numerous talks on business transfers to family members
• "Financing Growth Through Venture Capital", Master's thesis

Professional Associations
Canadian Bar Association
American Bar Association
International Bar Association
Chief Executive Officers Alliance


Professional Activities and Experience
Accolades

• Rising Star ANG
• Best Lawyers 2019
• Best Lawyers 2020
• Best Lawyers 2021
• 2021 CLLD
• Best Lawyers 2022
• Lexpert 2022
• Lexpert
• Best Lawyers 2024
• Best Lawyers 2026
• Lexpert logo 2026

• The Supreme Court of Canada Renders a Decision on Restrictive Covenants Contained in an Asset Sale Agreement
• Legal newsletter for business entrepreneurs and executives, Number 18
• Artificial Intelligence and the 2017 Canadian Budget: is your business ready?
• Artificial intelligence and its legal challenges
• Artificial intelligence in business: managing the risks and reaping the benefits?
• AI: Where Do We Go From Here?
• AI: Where Do We Go From Here?