Partner

Ali El Haskouri is a member of the Business Law group and focuses his practice on financing, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate and commercial law matters.

Education

• LL.B., Université de Sherbrooke, 2009
• Law certificate, Université de Montréal, 2007

In particular, Mr. El Haskouri has acquired a unique expertise in investment, venture capital and equity financing in Quebec. He represents many institutional investors during financing operations and regularly assists his clients in corporate purchase and sale transactions and in debt and equity financing (private equity and venture capital) transactions.

He has solid experience in business financing at all the stages of their life cycles (pre-start-up, start-up, development and marketing), including:

• Debt financing (bank syndication, subordinated loans, convertible debentures, secured loans, etc.);
• Stake acquisition (co-investment in venture capital and investment in mature businesses).

In practical terms, Mr. El Haskouri is often called upon to advise his clients in financing matters and the negotiation and drafting of the following:

• Subscription agreements and shareholder agreements in the context of venture capital investments and acquisition of stakes in major businesses;
• Credit agreements, inter-creditor agreements, confidentiality agreements and various contractual instruments.

Over the years, he also acquired extensive experience in financing mining companies of all sizes. He is also known for his expertise in real estate and project financing and for drafting agreements and making loan security arrangements.

Prior to joining Lavery, he was legal counsel at Investissement Québec, a position he held for nine years. Through this role, he gained more experience in the financial sector and he has become the ideal person to meet local businesses’ needs.

Representative mandates

Mining law

• Representation of Yamana Gold Inc. in several acquisitions of mining rights in Quebec
• Representation of QMX Gold Corporation in the sale of certain mining assets in Quebec
• Representation of Fonds de solidarité des travailleurs du Québec (F.T.Q.) in the implementation of a subordinated loan in favour of Minerai de fer Québec Inc.

Mergers and acquisitions

• Representation of Investissement Québec in the acquisition of a minority interest in Logibec Inc.
• Representation of Investissement Québec in the acquisition of a minority interest in Averna Technologies Inc.
• Representation of sellers in the acquisition of Krome Services Inc. by Beaver Holdings Group Inc.
• Representation of sellers in the acquisition of Krome Services Inc. by Beaver Holdings Group Inc.

Venture Capital

• Representation of Investissement Québec in a Series A financing round in favour of Nesto Inc.
• Representation of Investissement Québec in a Series B financing round in favour of Algolux Inc.
• Representation of Investissement Québec in a Series B financing round in favour of TickSmith Inc.
• Representation of Fonds de solidarité des travailleurs du Québec (F.T.Q.) and Investissement Québec in a Series A financing round in favour of Worximity Inc.

Project financing and real estate

• Representation of Desjardins, Ressources Québec and Investissement Québec in the implementation of project financing to support the construction and long-term production and export operations of a wood pellet plant producing wood pellets from forest biomass.
• Representation of Investissement Québec in project financing for the construction of the Aéroport de Montréal REM station.
• Representation of Groupe Sélection in financing construction projects of many mixed-use buildings.
• Representation of Mediterranean Shipping Company Inc. in financing their acquisition of the La Presse building. 

Secured financing and subordinated debt

• Representation of the the ad hoc committee of first lien lenders to Cirque du Soleil in connection with restructuring the existing syndicated financing and the granting of new syndicated financing.
• Representation of Groupe Selection in setting up syndicated financing.
• Representation of Investissement Québec in setting up a subordinated debt in favour of Alithya Group Inc.
• Representation of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in setting up Canadian Hockey League financing.
• Representation of La Presse (2018) Inc. in connection with financing granted by the National Bank of Canada
• Representation of National Bank of Canada in the establishment of credit facilities in favour of Technologie Flinks Inc.
• Representation of National Bank of Canada in the establishment of credit facilities in favour of Ready Education (Canada) inc.