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Yonatan (Yoni) Petel is recognized as a leading lawyer in financial services and business law with extensive experience in project finance in the construction and public-private partnerships (P3) spaces. He is recognized for his expertise in asset-based lending in Best Lawyers in Canada and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.

With a corporate practice that involves all aspects of business law, Yoni advises on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, business entity formations and corporate reorganizations.

Yoni’s financial services practice covers a broad range of domestic and cross-border financing and secured lending transactions, including real estate and project finance, syndicated lending, acquisition financing, factoring and asset-based lending. Yoni also advises companies and financial institutions on regulatory compliance and corporate governance.

Prior to joining McMillan, Yoni worked in residential construction as a licensed general contractor. He also served as the lead advocacy and community relations professional for the Québec office of a national human rights organization. Yoni holds leadership positions with various charitable and non-profit organizations.



Representative Matters

  • Counsel to Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) in its $100 million financing of La SOFIAC (Société de financement et d’accompagnement en performance énergétique) for energy efficiency retrofit projects in commercial, industrial and multi-residential buildings in Québec
  • Counsel to a short-listed proponent in connection with their bid for the provision of Rolling Stock, Systems and Operation and Maintenance Services for the Réseau électrique métropolitain de Montréal LRT P3 project
  • Counsel to the finance parties in the $4.2 billion New Bridge for the St. Lawrence Corridor (Champlain Bridge) Project, a P3 project to design, build, finance, operate, maintain and rehabilitate a new bridge to replace the existing Champlain Bridge
  • Counsel to a consortium in connection with their bid to design, build, finance and operate an anaerobic digestion facility
  • Counsel to the equity sponsors and construction parties in connection with the corporate structuring, financing and construction of a series of new multi-residential developments in Montreal
  • Counsel to a Canadian mining company in connection with its cross-border factoring arrangements
  • Counsel to a Canadian-based mining company in a US$120 million amended and restated credit facility
  • Counsel to an electrical distribution and services company in connection with a $1.14 billion acquisition financing
  • Counsel to a foreign bank in a US$1.6 billion cross-border financing of a global car rental company
  • Counsel to an US bank in a US$275 million asset-based credit facility to a beverage company
  • Counsel to an international insurance company in the $2.6 billion sale of its Canadian operations
  • Counsel to a Canadian insurance company in a $30 million acquisition of assets
  • Counsel to a Quebec-based technology company in a $2.25 million financing by way of a loan and the sale of share purchase warrants
  • Counsel to a private equity firm in connection with the financing of its acquisition of a service provider in the telecommunications industry
  • Counsel to the representative office of a foreign bank in connection with annual OSFI submissions

Speaking Engagements

Incorporating Values into your Practice: A Chat with the Pros Hosted by the McGill JLSA

January 2015

Advanced topics in the law of secured transactions: Article 2692 of the Civil Code of Quebec and the Quebec Securities Transfer Act Guest lecture, "Security for Debt", University of Ottawa Faculty of Law

April 2014

Practicing IP and IT in Montreal IP Week, McGill Faculty of Law

February 2013

News


Rankings & Recognition

  • Recognized in the 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the area of Asset-Based Lending
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2024) as a leading lawyer in the area of Asset-Based Lending Practice, Banking and Finance Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Project Finance Law and Real Estate Law
  • Recognized in the 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the area of Asset Based Lending
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2023) as a leading lawyer in the areas of Asset-Based Lending; Banking and Finance Law and Project Finance
  • Recognized in the 2022 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the areas of Asset Based Lending and Asset-Equipment Finance/Leasing
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2022) as a leading lawyer in the areas of Asset-Based Lending; Banking and Finance Law and Project Finance
  • Named the Best Lawyers 2022 Asset Based Lending “Lawyer of the Year” in Montréal
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2021) as a leading lawyer in the areas of Asset-Based Lending, Banking & Finance Law and Project Finance Law
  • Recognized in the 2020 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as Repeatedly Recommended in the area of Asset-Based Lending
  • Winner in the Lexpert® 2019 Rising Stars Awards: Leading Lawyers Under 40
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2020) as a leading lawyer in the areas of Asset-Based Lending and Banking & Finance Law
  • Recognized in the 2019 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Leading Lawyer to Watch in the area of Asset-Based Lending
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2019) as a leading lawyer in the areas of Asset-Based Lending and Banking & Finance Law
  • Winner in the 2018 Secured Finance Network 40 Under 40 Awards
  • Recognized in the 2018 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Leading Lawyer to Watch in the area of Asset-Based Lending
  • Corporate Lawyer to Watch – 2017 Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Corporate Lawyers in Canada
  • 2017 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Leading Lawyers to Watch: Asset-Based Lending
  • Medal of Bravery, awarded by the Governor General of Canada in 2001

Community Involvement

  • Yoni is the firm’s Pro Bono Partner for Montreal

Directorships & Affiliations

  • Regional Board Member for Ottawa, Quebec & Atlantic Provinces, National Treasurer of Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University
  • Board Member and Past President of Association Sépharade de la Banlieue Ouest de Montréal
  • Board of Governors of Tel Aviv University
  • Board of Trustees of Hebrew Foundation School

Education & Admissions

2023
Called to the Ontario bar
2009
Called to the Québec bar
2008
BCL / LLB (Great Distinction)McGill University
2003
BA (First Class Honours), Jewish StudiesMcGill University
2003
B.Sc., Physics and MathematicsMcGill University

Publications

  • “Doing Business 2020: Comparing Business Regulation in 190 Economies,” Canadian Contributor, World Bank Group (October 2019)
  • Doing Business 2019: Training for Reform,” Canadian Contributor, World Bank Group (October 2018)
  • “Doing Business 2017: Equal Opportunity for All,” Canadian Contributor, World Bank Group (October 2016)
  • Doing Business 2016: Measuring Regulatory Quality and Efficiency,” Canadian Contributor, World Bank (October 2015)
  • Doing Business 2015: Going Beyond Efficiency,” Canadian Contributor, World Bank Group (October 2014)
  • “Recourse to the LOI to Resolve Contractual Drafting Errors: IHAG-Holding v. Intrawest,” Co-authored: Julie Normand and Yonatan Petel, Banking & Finance Law Review, Vol. 26, No. 2, p.347 (February 2011)

Insights (2 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

Stay Ahead Podcast: Demystifying Québec’s Business Landscape

Interested in expanding your business into Quebec? On this episode of our Stay Ahead podcast, Montreal Partners Shari Munk-Manel, Enda Wong, Yonatan Petel and Steven Sitcoff share what you need to know about doing business in the province.

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Aug 14, 2023
Featured Insight

RBC c. Lavoie: Are We Moving Towards an “Increased” Duty to Inform in the Context of Umbrella Hypothecs?

RBC c. Lavoie [in italics]: Is the Duty to Inform Expanding for Umbrella Hypothecs?

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May 8, 2023

Deals & Cases (5 Posts)

Featured Insight

Canada Infrastructure Bank Invests $100 Million in SOFIAC for Energy Efficiency Projects Across Québec

McMillan acted as legal counsel to Canada Infrastructure Bank, as Agent, in its $100 million financing of Société de financement et d’accompagnement en performance énergétique.

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Sep 15, 2021
Featured Insight

SEMAFO Inc. completes US$120M amended and restated credit facility with Macquarie

SEMAFO Inc. completes US$120M amended and restated credit facility with Macquarie

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Mar 3, 2016
Featured Insight

Semafo completes C$57.9 million bought deal private placement and US$90 million credit facility with Macquarie Bank

Semafo completes C$57.9 million bought deal private placement and US$90 million credit facility with Macquarie Bank

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Mar 17, 2015
Featured Insight

AXA SA and Intact Financial Corporation complete the purchase and sale of AXA Canada Inc.

AXA SA and Intact Financial Corporation complete the purchase and sale of AXA Canada Inc.

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Sep 23, 2011
Featured Insight

The Hertz Corporation Completes $3.4 Billion Refinancing

The Hertz Corporation Completes $3.4 Billion Refinancing

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Mar 11, 2011