Caroline
Desbiens

Caroline Desbiens has over 35 years' legal experience with a number of renowned law firms, specializing in business and aviation law. She has extensive experience in a wide range of sectors, including transportation, real estate, energy, environment, life sciences and technology.   

A skilled negotiator, Ms. Desbiens is renowned for her skills in corporate and commercial law, including the drafting of complex commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions, corporate financing, including private equity, and strategic alliances. She also contributes her expertise in aviation and maritime law to our transportation team.    

In addition, her role with the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada since 1994 gives her in-depth knowledge of the regulatory aspects specific to these fields. She also deals with all regulatory matters related to aviation, including obtaining different types of licences, She counsels businesses and professionals involved in the aeronautic industry such as carriers, maintenance organizations, flight training units, aviation services and/or product suppliers, Canadian Aviation Document holders, or lenders. She negotiates and drafts all types of contracts related to the aviation industry such as transportation or charter agreements, sale or lease of aircraft, and aircraft co-ownership and management agreements.  She represents the creditors and borrowers in connection with aircraft financing, including international interest on aircraft objects under the Cape Town Convention. Her background also includes experience in shipping, including transactional matters such as the sale and purchase of vessels, charters and charter-parties.

Her expertise in aviation law and mergers and acquisitions has also been recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada.   

Expertise 

• Aviation Law
• Business Law

• Transactionnal Law

• Funding, including investment capital

• Aircraft and ship financing

Education

• LL.M in Air and Space Law, Université McGill (1993)

• LL.B , Université Laval (1987)

• Certificate in Private International Law, University of San Diego (1988)

Professional experience

• Vaillancourt St-Pierre (1989 to 1996)

• Beauvais Truchon (1996 to 2018)

• Norton Rose Fulbright (May 2018 to Octobre 2024)

Associations, committees, boards

• Canadian Bar Association

• Member of the Comité des Dons Majeurs de Centraide (Québec Chaudières-Appalaches)

• Institute of Air and Space Law Alumni

Distinctions

• Best Lawyers Canada in Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Aviation Law (2023)