William B. Rosenberg

Partner

William Rosenberg

William B. Rosenberg

Partner

Clients turn to William to provide creative solutions in the context of their complex transactions in Canada. With over 30 years of experience, William is widely recognized as an expert strategist with extensive cross-border experience who has led numerous significant deals for his clients.

Public and private sector clients across diverse industries rely on William’s first-class technical capabilities, dedication and sophisticated handling of their transactions.

Highly regarded in the U.S. legal services market, William has the distinction of being the only non-U.S. lawyer to serve as Chair of the American Bar Association Business Law Section in its 85-year history. William is also a past Editor-in-Chief of The Business Lawyer, the premier peer-reviewed business law journal in the U.S.

William B. Rosenberg

Partner

Clients turn to William to provide creative solutions in the context of their complex transactions in Canada. With over 30 years of experience, William is widely recognized as an expert strategist with extensive cross-border experience who has led numerous significant deals for his clients.

Public and private sector clients across diverse industries rely on William’s first-class technical capabilities, dedication and sophisticated handling of their transactions.

Highly regarded in the U.S. legal services market, William has the distinction of being the only non-U.S. lawyer to serve as Chair of the American Bar Association Business Law Section in its 85-year history. William is also a past Editor-in-Chief of The Business Lawyer, the premier peer-reviewed business law journal in the U.S.

Alstom S.A.

Acted for Alstom S.A. in its acquisition of Bombardier Transportation, for a purchase price of EUR 4.4 billion, paid through a combination of cash and newly issued Alstom shares. This deal was named an Excellence Awardee for M&A Deal of the Year at the 2022 Canadian Law Awards.

Alstom Transport Canada Inc.

Acting for Alstom Transport Canada Inc. in its role as lead member of a consortium that is providing rolling stock, signalling services and operation and maintenance services, as part of the construction and operation of a new automated light rail transit system in the Greater Montréal Area. This $6.3-billion infrastructure project (its original estimated cost) is the largest public transit project undertaken in the province of Québec in the last 50 years.

Brand Industrial Services, Inc.

Acted for Brand Industrial Services, Inc., a global leader providing a broad range of solutions to the industrial, commercial and infrastructure markets, in its acquisition of Québec-based AGF Access Group, Inc.

S.A. Jarislowsky Investments Inc.

Acted for Stephen A. Jarislowsky in the $1 billion sale of Jarislowsky Fraser Limited, a leading independent investment firm, to Scotiabank.

Sequoia Capital

Acted as Canadian counsel to Sequoia Capital in its minority investment in SSENSE, a Montréal-based fashion e-commerce retailer, giving SSENSE a post-money enterprise value of over $5 billion. 

Accor Acquisition Company

Acted as Canadian counsel to Accor SA in connection with the creation of the first European-listed special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), Accor Acquisition Company (AAC). AAC, sponsored by Accor SA, successfully raised EUR 300 million through a private placement of Units listed on Euronext Paris.

Meggitt plc

Acted as Canadian counsel to Meggitt PLC, a U.K.-listed maker of components and sub-systems for the aerospace, defence and selected energy markets, in the US$146-million sale of its U.S. subsidiary, Meggitt Training Systems, to private equity firm Pine Island Capital Partners LLC.

Alstom Transport Canada Inc.

Acted for Alstom Transport Canada Inc. in its role as maintenance subcontractor for the light rail extension to the Confederation Line, which is the first stage of the new light rail transit system in Ottawa, Ontario.

Return Path, Inc.

Acted for Return Path, an email deliverability firm, in the sale of its business to Validity, a specialist in customer data management.

Alstom Transport Canada Inc.

Acted for Alstom Transport Canada Inc. in connection with the supply of light rail vehicles for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, to Metrolinx, an agency of the Government of Ontario, for a value of $529 million.

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.

Acted for Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., the world's largest distributor and retailer of professional beauty products, in its acquisition of a Québec-based company in the hair care industry.

Speaking Engagement

Expert Panelist, American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Private Equity and M&A Committee, “Recent Developments in Representation and Warranty Insuranceˮ; Webinar

Apr. 20, 2021

IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms—Mergers and Acquisitions

Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A

The Best Lawyers in Canada—Corporate Law; Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Securities Law

The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory—Corporate Commercial Law; Corporate Mid-Market; Mergers and Acquisitions; Private Equity

Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders M&A and Governance—Mergers and Acquisitions; Who’s Who Legal: M&A and Governance—Corporate Governance; Mergers and Acquisitions; Who’s Who Legal: Canada—Corporate Governance; Mergers and Acquisitions

Martindale-Hubbell—AV Preeminent Ranking

Bar Admissions

Québec, 1989

Education

McGill University, BCL/LLB, 1988
McGill University, BA (with Great Distinction, University Scholar), 1984

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Past Section Chair
American Bar Foundation, Life Fellow

Board Memberships

Segal Centre for Performing Arts, Leadership Council