Bernard focuses his practice on fund formation and investments, drawing on his extensive experience and keen market insight to counsel clients on all aspects of negotiating, structuring, and investing in funds in Canada and internationally. He advises both sponsors and institutional investors on all aspects of private equity, venture capital, and infrastructure funds, as well as the formation of and investment by funds of funds.

In the fund investment side of his practice, Bernard has represented private equity funds, investment firms, financial services companies, and pension plans, including BDC Capital, HarbourVest Partners, Investment Management Corporation of Ontario, Northleaf Capital Partners, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, Saskatchewan’s Public Employees Benefits Agency, and Sun Life Financial. Bernard also counsels fund sponsors in all aspects of negotiating and forming their US and Canadian private equity funds. In addition, he advises Canadian banks and governmental pension plans in their investments in private equity funds worldwide.

Prior to joining Mintz, Bernard was a counsel at a major Canadian law firm, where he advised sponsors and institutional investors in all aspects of private equity, venture capital, and other funds. Earlier, as a counsel at a San Francisco–based firm, he advised clients on hedge fund and private equity formation. He also worked as an associate at two international law firms, where he handled capital markets and private equity matters.

In addition to his practice, Bernard is also active in the legal community and has been involved in drafting revisions to the Limited Partnerships Act (Ontario) as part of a sub-committee of the Ontario Bar Association.