Francesca Guolo

Francesca Guolo, a leading partner at Goodmans, captains both the Financial Services Regulatory Practice and the Structured Finance and Derivatives Practice, while also co-chairing the firm’s Opinions Committee. Her expertise is a beacon in the financial services sector, especially noted in structured finance, securitization, derivatives, wealth management, and the overarching regulation of financial services market participants and products. Her experience isn't just limited to the North American sphere but extends across European markets, covering a vast range of activities from capital markets and restructuring to mergers and acquisitions transactions.

Clients, ranging from domestic to international entities including regulated financial institutions, asset managers, and FinTech innovators, lean on Francesca’s insightful, practical business advice. Her adeptness at steering through negotiations and executing complex transactions, often dictated by strategic or regulatory considerations, is highly regarded. A notable highlight in her career was leading the legal team that navigated the Pan-Canadian Third Party Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Investors Committee through the restructuring of the C$32 billion non-bank sponsored asset-backed commercial paper market in Canada—a landmark achievement.

Awards and recognitions have consistently celebrated Francesca’s prowess in her field, with accolades from Best Lawyers in Canada, Who’s Who Legal, and The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, affirming her status as a preeminent figure in derivatives, corporate finance & securities, and mergers & acquisitions.

In her advisory role, Francesca has tackled pioneering securitization transactions, offering counsel on cutting-edge financial and commodity derivative transactions and assisting clients with regulatory compliance related to swap participants. Her expertise also extends to aiding clients in maintaining legally compliant operations within Canada and skillfully navigating regulatory landscapes.

Francesca’s involvement goes beyond client work. She’s an influential figure in developing significant legal frameworks and policies, including Canada’s registered covered bonds regime and bank resolution planning. Her voice is a trusted one among governmental and regulatory clients, helping shape the future of financial regulation in Canada.

Her credentials are solid, with an LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School and a B.A. from the University of Toronto. Francesca's professional affiliations include the Law Society of Ontario, the Canadian Bar Association, and more, showcasing her active engagement with the legal community.

Francesca's contributions to the field, especially through insightful client updates and co-authoring significant pieces on securitization law, reflect her commitment to advancing knowledge in her area of expertise. Her ongoing recognition in legal directories and her role in groundbreaking financial transactions underscore her invaluable contribution to the financial services and legal sectors.