Background
Francesca Smirnakis is an associate at our Toronto office. Francesca was admitted to the Ontario bar in 2007. She graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2006, attending the University of Western Ontario Law School for one year of her studies. While at Osgoode Hall, Francesca was a regional finalist in two Client Counselling Competitions.
Before attending law school, Francesca received a Master of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, specializing in folate and colon cancer. Following her Masters, Francesca performed clinical and social science research studies at the University of Toronto. Prior to graduate school, she majored in Human Biology and Environmental Science, receiving an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto, Victoria College, in 2000.
Francesca was an articling student at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP before joining the firm as an associate in 2007.
Areas of Practice
ˇ Investment Management
ˇ Securities and Capital Markets
Professional Experience
ˇ Francesca practices corporate law with an emphasis on securities law specializing in the investment funds and asset management field. Her investment management practice focuses on compliance, regulatory and governance issues facing participants in the investment management industry. Francesca also has experience in dealing with financial services regulatory matters, particularly in connection with the insurance industry. Francesca's practice also includes general commercial law.
Publications/Conferences
ˇ Francesca has been a Chapter Editor for Carswell's Securities Law & Practice (3rd Edition) by Borden Ladner Gervais LLP since 2007.
ˇ During her articles, Francesca assisted Gordon Zimmerman of our Intellectual Property Law group, in the preparation of a conference paper and presentation entitled "Intellectual Property Licensing: Planning for Improvements, Enhancements and Modifications" for Proceedings of The Canadian Institute's 10th Annual Conference on Intellectual Property Agreements held in Toronto on November 27 and 28, 2006.
Professional and Community Activities
ˇ Member of the Canadian Bar Association
ˇ Member of the Law Society of Upper Canada
ˇ Member of the Ontario Bar Association
ˇ Member and former Director of the Hellenic Canadian Lawyers' Association
ˇ Volunteer for BLG Reads to Kids literacy program