François Alepin

Lawyer, Partner

Barreau du Québec, 1978

Spoken languages: English / French

Areas of Practice

Professional Activities

Since 1978, Me Alepin has practiced independently at the firm Alepin Gauthier, where he is a partner with Me Brigitte Gauthier. Notably, Me Alepin has been recognized by his peers as one of the “Best Lawyers in Canada” since 2005 in franchise law and since 2011 in commercial law as well.

He assists his clients, primarily entrepreneurs in SMEs, with drafting and analyzing contracts of all kinds to meet the needs of an SME’s day-to-day business operations. This often leads him to act as an external counsel, advising on various areas of law that arise in the course of running a business. He concentrates his practice on franchise law and, over the years, has frequently been called upon to act as an advisor in this field.

His commercial law practice involves resolving disputes through negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. He has represented his clients’ interests in both trial and appellate courts, as well as before administrative tribunals in Quebec.

In 2001 and 2002, as a member of the Canadian delegation, upon the recommendation of Quebec’s Ministry of Justice, he participated in Unidroit’s work on drafting a model law on franchise disclosure. He was invited to Rome to attend a roundtable organized by the Government Experts Committee tasked with developing this law.

In 2013, he contributed to drafting “Recent Developments in Franchise Law.” Following the publication of the book, he presented his article, “An Overview of Rebates Collected by Franchisors,” as a speaker at a symposium organized by the Quebec Bar.

In 2016, he again contributed to drafting “Recent Developments in Franchise Law.” After the book’s publication, he presented his article, “Basic Concepts of Franchising or Franchising 101,” as a speaker at another Quebec Bar symposium.

Me Alepin has also been cited in several decisions over his career, including Duchesneau v. Gestion Milsa inc., 2017, and Chambre de la sécurité financière v. Cauchi, 2019.

Professional Affiliations

Member of the Laval Bar
Member of the Montreal Bar
Member of the Quebec Bar
Member of the Canadian Bar Association
Member of the American Bar Association
Member of the Canadian Institute of Patents and Trademarks (1996-1999)
Member of the Quebec Franchise Council
Member and coordinator of the “College of Experts” of the Quebec Franchise Council
Member of the Canadian Franchise Association
Member of the International Franchise Association (IFA)
Member of the Quebec Order of Chartered Administrators
Member of the Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Member of the Board of Directors of the Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chair of the Subcommittee on Quotas of the Quebec Bar (1995-1996)
Former member of the Quebec Construction Association, Metropolitan Region
Member of the Quebec Institute of Mediation and Arbitration
Member of the Association of Professionals in the Field of Transportation
Member of the Board of Directors of the Laval, Laurentides, Lanaudière CPA Group
Member of the Advisory Committee of Montreal Airports
Member of the Laval Human Resources Managers Association
Served on the Legal/Legislative Committee of the Canadian Franchise Association, Quebec Region

Recognitions

Bâtonnier of the Laval Bar, 1994–1995
Best Lawyers in Canada, since 2005 in franchise law and since 2011 in commercial law
Lifetime Governor of Entraide Bois-de-Boulogne
Emeritus Governor of the Quebec Bar Foundation
2012 Recognition Award from the Laval Bar
2018 Tribute Award from the Quebec Franchise Council

Education

LL.L, University of Ottawa, 1977
Trademark Agent, 1978
D.E.Sp in Commercial Law, 1987
Adm. A., 1995
Accredited Mediator in Civil and Commercial Matters, 2003
Accredited Arbitrator in Civil and Commercial Matters, 2004

Admission to the bar

Quebec Bar, 1978