General Counsel Lawyers in Ottawa, Ontario
Practice Areas
Whether you're a small business owner, a growing enterprise, or the head of a corporation, dedicated legal support can mean the difference between confident decision-making and taking unnecessary risks.
At Francis Lawyers, we understand the complications of business operations and the importance of having reliable legal guidance. Our general counsel services are designed to provide practical, business-centered legal advice to help you manage day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and any unforeseen challenges.
With decades of experience, our general counsel lawyers serve businesses and corporations in Ottawa, Ontario, and the surrounding areas, including Gatineau, Chelsea, Dunrobin, Kinburn, Arnprior, Munster, Kemptville, Ficko, Edward, and Cumberland.
For over 50 years, we’ve remained committed to building lasting relationships with our clients. Businesses across Ottawa trust us to help them address their legal requirements while staying focused on their goals.
What Does a General Counsel Do?
A general counsel provides a broad range of legal advice to businesses, often serving as an integral part of their operations. By working alongside company leadership and management, a general counsel helps businesses anticipate legal issues, resolve disputes efficiently, and plan for growth in a compliant and sustainable manner.
At Francis Lawyers, we provide the following as part of its general counsel services:
Drafting and reviewing contracts for partnerships, client relationships, and vendors.
Advising on employment law issues, workplace policies, and employee disputes.
Overseeing regulatory compliance to protect your business from penalties or legal disputes.
Assisting with corporate governance, ensuring smooth operations and ethical standards.
Providing legal solutions for mergers, acquisitions, and other business transactions.
Whether you need guidance to help mitigate legal risk or assistance with structuring a complicated commercial deal, our firm will work with you to find a solution aligning with your business objectives.
Why Choose Francis Lawyers for General Counsel Support?
Businesses across Ottawa and the surrounding regions choose to work with our firm because we offer more than legal counsel: we strive to become partners in their business planning and operations. Some of the aspects that sets our firm apart include:
Comprehensive legal services: From preventative measures to active problem-solving, we address a wide spectrum of your business’s legal needs.
Tailored advice for your industry: We serve companies across diverse industries; our approach is customized to match the challenges unique to your sector.
Proven track record: Backed by over five decades of dedicated service, we’ve established trust and results-driven collaboration with countless businesses in Ottawa and beyond.
Our goal is to help simplify legal services for businesses, cutting through complex issues to deliver actionable advice. By partnering with our firm, you’ll receive experienced legal support from a team that understands your priorities and works hard to move your business forward.
For Experienced General Counsel
Canadian Laws Relevant to General Counsel Work
Understanding the relevant laws is integral to business operations. Canadian law provides a framework that governs a company’s activities. General counsel functions require a deep awareness of these laws to help businesses stay compliant.
Some of the key Canadian laws and their significance to our role as general counsel that you should be aware of include:
Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA): This federal legislation regulates how businesses are incorporated, structured, and dissolved. A general counsel makes sure that a corporation’s bylaws and activities align with CBCA requirements.
Employment Standards Act: Ontario’s Employment Standards Act specifies the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees, including wages, hours, and leave entitlements. General counsel services often address how a business applies these standards to its workplace policies.
Competition Act: This law prohibits anti-competitive practices such as price-fixing, misleading advertising, and monopolistic behavior. General counsel can guide businesses in complying with these rules while making sure their marketing and operational strategies stay competitive.
Privacy Act & PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act): Protecting customer and employee data is critical. These laws govern how businesses collect, store, and share personal information. General counsel can guide compliance and risk management regarding data protection.
Environmental Protection Act: Businesses involved in industrial or operational processes must comply with Ontario’s environmental regulations. General counsel tracks new developments and advises on steps to meet environmental standards without disrupting operations.
Benefits of Dedicated General Counsel
Partnering with an experienced law firm like Francis Lawyers offers numerous advantages, especially for businesses lacking an in-house legal department. Some of the key benefits often include:
Proactive legal management: A general counsel doesn’t wait for problems to arise—they identify issues before they escalate.
Cost-effective solutions: Retaining general counsel often costs less than addressing individual legal issues piecemeal with separate lawyers.
Streamlined operations: With legal matters under control, you can dedicate more resources to growing your business.
Strategic partnership: By working as part of your team, we provide insights into how legal challenges affect overall business strategy and suggest practical solutions.
General Counsel Lawyers Serving Ottawa, Ontario
For over 50 years, our team at Francis Lawyers has delivered exceptional legal services to businesses and individuals across Ontario. Whether it’s corporate transactions, commercial disputes, or wills and estates, we focus on protecting your interests.
Businesses in the Ottawa area, including Gatineau, Chelsea, Dunrobin, Kinburn, Arnprior, Munster, Kempville, Ficko, Edward, and Cumberland, trust us to provide legal advice tailored to their needs. Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation.