Legal Leader | Michael Hassan - Partner, Managing Director, General Counsel + Secretary, Sagard

In this episode of ADB Insights – The Legal Innovation Forum Podcast, Andrew Bowyer, Founder & CEO of the Legal Innovation Forum, sits down with Michael Hassan, Partner, Managing Director, General Counsel & Secretary at Sagard, a global multi-strategy alternative asset manager. Michael reflects on his international legal career—from growing up in Montreal to studying law in Ottawa, to launching his practice in Buenos Aires. His path has taken him through pivotal roles at Ogilvy-Renaud (now Norton Rose), Quebecor World, and a 17-year tenure at PSP Investments, where he led complex transactional work across multiple jurisdictions. Now at Sagard, he oversees legal, regulatory affairs, and compliance as the firm continues its rapid global expansion. Michael discusses Sagard’s transformation—from a $500 million AUM firm in 2016 to over $27 billion today—and the legal department’s role in supporting that growth. He shares how his team helps integrate new businesses, manage a complex regulatory environment, and maintain a strong compliance culture while acting as a strategic connector across finance, HR, treasury, and investment teams. From navigating geopolitical and macroeconomic risks to aligning ESG initiatives across jurisdictions, Michael offers a nuanced perspective on the modern legal leader’s role: not just managing risk, but unlocking opportunity and enabling growth.