This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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Brigitte Gauthier and Luc Thibaudeau provide training for counsel at the NBC
Brigitte Gauthier and Luc Thibaudeau, associates in the Business Law and Litigation groups, respectively, are providing a series of three training sessions for counsel at the National Bank of Canada on the impact of the Act mainly to modernize rules relating to consumer credit and to regulate debt settlement service contracts, high-cost credit contracts and loyalty programs (the “Bill”). At the sessions, Ms. Gauthier and Mr. Thibaudeau work with National Bank of Canada lawyers on analyzing the various issues that arise under the new provisions of the Consumer Protection Act in relation to consumer credit, and other amendments to the Act proposed in the Bill. The first two sessions were held this past December and January, and the next will take place on March 1. Other meetings are planned to take place after the Government publishes the new regulations that will be put in place once the Bill comes into force.
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Jean Boulet takes on new responsibilities at Lavery
Jean Boulet, Managing Partner of the Trois-Rivières office for many years, will now be taking an active role in Lavery’s business development efforts, while consolidating the firm’s customer approach across Quebec.
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Marie-Josée Hétu is appointed Managing Partner of Lavery's Trois-Rivières office
Lavery is proud to announce that Marie-Josée Hétu has been appointed managing partner of the Trois-Rivières office. As part of her new duties, she will also be a member of the firm’s Management Committee. Mtre Hétu joined Lavery in 2014 and has been practising in Trois-Rivières for close to 25 years. She knows the region extremely well and works with clients from the municipal, institutional and entrepreneurial sectors in Mauricie and the Centre-du-Québec. A woman connected to her region whose expertise is recognized by the business community Over the course of her career, Mtre Hétu has focused on labour law, labour relations and occupational health and safety. She also handled matters involving human rights, the protection of personal information and workers’ compensation. As part of her new role, Mtre Hétu wants to create winning conditions so that every member of her team can continue to offer impeccable client service. Her actions will be defined by openness, creativity, energy and thoroughness. “I undertake this new challenge among the Lavery team with pride and determination”, noted Mtre Hétu. “My practice, which I will continue in addition to these new duties, is based namely on my capacity to adapt to the changing realities of clients and act as their strategic advisor. The knowledge I’ve gained over the years will certainly serve me during this next step. Lavery, based 100% in Quebec, is known for its excellent services. This identity speaks to me and is one that our Trois-Rivières team proudly embodies each day.” In addition to her professional activities, Mtre Hétu is very active in a number of organizations. She has been chair of the regional committee of the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés in Mauricie for several years. This committee is responsible for promoting the role of human resource management professionals in the region and advocating on behalf of regional interests to the Ordre. Leadership that is both visionary and anchored in our clients’ business reality “Marie-Josée is a seasoned lawyer with an impressive track record. She is known for her collaborative approach based on an in-depth knowledge of her clients and their needs. Her positive leadership, expertise and extensive understanding of the market in Trois-Rivières, Mauricie and the Centre-du-Québec are undeniable assets for Lavery. We are very proud and pleased that she is taking this next step in her career with us,” remarked Anik Trudel, Chief Executive Officer of Lavery Lawyers.
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Lavery welcomes Eric Stevenson, ex-superintendent, client services and distribution oversight at the AMF to its Business Law group
Lavery is pleased to announce the arrival of a new partner, Eric Stevenson, who is joining the Business Law group at our Québec office. Eric’s leading expertise will increase the quality and depth of Lavery’s consulting and representation service offering, in particular with its financial sector clients and stakeholders. For Eric Stevenson, this represents a return to his roots, given that he worked for the firm prior to joining the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF). A professional who has an outstanding reputation and whose leading expertise and keen knowledge are renowned in Québec, Canada and abroad Until just recently, Eric Stevenson was the superintendent, client services and distribution oversight at the AMF.He lead a team of 150 employees with the mandate of overseeing the activities relating to the distribution of financial services and products in Québec all in the while establishing the regulatory framework governing this sector of activities. His role also included issuing exercise rights to insurance and securities operators. Eric was also in charge of the AMF team tasked with evaluating the integrity of companies and their directors who were seeking to conclude agreements with the Québec government and granting the requested authorization, when applicable. Eric Stevenson has represented the AMF before several key organisations in particular by serving as a member of the market intermediaries’ commission of the International Organization of Securities Commissions. He also presided or took part in numerous committees of the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators as well as served on several committees of the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. “Coming back to Lavery was an evident choice considering that the firm benefits from an outstanding reputation and the financial sector’s stakeholders regularly recognize the excellence of its integrated legal services offering”, says Eric Stevenson. “I am delighted to rejoin a consulting team that is devoted to offering a memorable client-based approach that is well-rooted in a deep understanding of the client’s actual business reality. I am also eager to help Lavery’s current and future clients benefit from my knowledge andvast network of contacts that I had the privilege to develop over the past years.” A leadership connected to the client’s business reality coinciding with Lavery’s vision “As a seasoned attorney, experienced manager and a proven strategist, Eric’s profile, rooted in the realities of the financial industry, is well suited to meet our client’s expectations. With a unique career path, Eric will leverage his leadership and know-how to play an active part in Lavery’s role as a leader of transformation in Québec’s legal market. We are especially proud of the fact that he has chosen Lavery and our Québec City office as a re-entry point into the professional services sector. Eric’s return to Lavery is a testament to the firm’s power to attract exceptional talents”, concludes Anik Trudel, Lavery’s Chief Executive Office.
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Lavery welcomes two new lawyers at its Québec City office
Lavery is pleased to announce the arrival of two new lawyers at its Québec City office. Florence Forest joins the Litigation and Conflict Resolution group where she will practise in the areas of civil, professional and hospital liability and insurance law. She represents members of various professions against whom allegations of malpractice are made, and also represents insurance companies in major litigation cases. Florence is actively involved in her community, as a member of a circle of young leaders who work to promote the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde and to make the theatre more accessible, to ensure that it is carried on by the next generation. She graduated in the second cohort of “l’Effet A” and proudly carries the standard for increasing the numbers of ambitious women in all spheres of society, particularly in business and law. Marc-André Bouchard joined the Lavery team as a student in May 2016 and began his articles in July 2017. He was admitted to the Bar on January 22 of this year and joins our Litigation and Conflict Resolution group. Marc-André is active in his community, primarily through his work as a volunteer football and basketball coach with secondary school students at Séminaire Saint-François. He has also given his time to a not-for-profit organization in the Québec City region to promote sports among elementary school students.
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Audrey Gibeault and Luc Pariseau speak at the 12th Montréal M&A Club M&A Forum
On December 12, Audrey Gibeault and Luc Pariseau, respectively an associate and a partner of the Business Law group, spoke at the 12th Montréal M&A Club M&A Forum. The seminar, entitled “Transfert et relève de moyennes entreprises”, was attended by approximately sixty people!
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A Lavery team to train members of the COMBEQ in 2018 on wetland issues
Throughout 2018, Daniel Bouchard, a partner, along with Valérie Belle-Isle, Chloé Fauchon and Pier-Olivier Fradette, associates of the Public and Administrative Law group, will train members of the Corporation des officiers municipaux en bâtiment et en environnement du Québec (COMBEQ). The seminar is entitled “Milieux humides et hydriques et certificat d’autorisation : quel rôle pour les municipalités ?” and is intended primarily for environmental municipal officers, as well as other municipal workers. It deals with the practical impact of Bills 102 and 132 adopted in 2017 respecting the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water. The training will be offered to all municipalities in the province and will be delivered in 24 cities over the course of the year.
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Charles Olivier Thibeault delivers training for the Association des centres d’urgence du Québec
On November 22 and 29, Charles Olivier Thibeault provided training to emergency call centre operators and dispatchers at the request of the Association des centres d’urgence du Québec (ACUQ). The seminar was entitled “Le rôle et les responsabilités des préposés des centres d’appels d’urgence” and Charles Olivier discussed the legislative and regulatory framework governing emergency call centres, and the different cases resulting in disciplinary measures imposed on operators/dispatchers or civil lawsuits against emergency call centres.
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Lavery represents Lexis Média during the acquisition of 12 regional newspapers from Transcontinental
A Lavery team advised the Groupe Lexis Media in connection with the acquisition of 12 regional newspapers from Transcontinental. The Groupe Lexis Media, which already publishes Homme, Mieux-Être, Moi Parent and Maternité, now owns the following newspapers: Le Citoyen Rouyn-Noranda, Le Citoyen de la Vallée-de-l'Or, L'Écho Abitibien and La Frontière, distributed in Abitibi Témiscamingue; L’Action d'Autray, L’Action - édition de mercredi, L’Action - édition du week-end, L’Express Montcalm and Hebdo Rive-Nord, in Lanaudière; and Le Bulletin, La Petite-Nation and La Revue, in Outaouais. The Lavery team was led by Eric Lavallée and included Laurent Bellemare-Proulx, Mylène Boisvert and Justin Gravel.
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Éric Gélinas and Audrey Gibeault speak at the Colloque en droit des sociétés
On November 23, Éric Gélinas and Audrey Gibeault, respectively a partner and an associate of the Business Law group, spoke during the Colloque en droit des sociétés held in the Conference Centre at the Intercontinental Hotel. Over 60 people attended and listened to a presentation on tax pitfalls to avoid entitled “Pièges à éviter en matière fiscale pour un avocat en droit des affaires”.
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Chloé Fauchon and Sylvain Pierrard deliver a seminar on copyright
On November 21, Chloé Fauchon, an associate of the Public and Administrative Law group, and Sylvain Pierrard, an associate of the Business Law group, delivered a seminar on copyright to professionals working in the film and television industry. Organized by the Table de concertation de l’industrie du cinéma et de la télévision de la Capitale-Nationale, the seminar was held at Le Camp in Québec City. Ms. Fauchon and Mr. Pierrard introduced participants to the different intellectual property rights, the exceptions to copyright protection of a work, copyright ownership, copyright assignment and the moral rights in the works.
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Lavery’s expertise in energy and corporate law recognized by Legal 500 Canada
Lavery is pleased to announce that its expertise has been recognized in the most recent edition of Legal 500 Canada in the practice areas of corporate/mergers and acquisitions and energy: power. We are extremely proud of this accomplishment considering that Lavery is competing against every national firm in Canada. The fact that we are listed in these Legal 500 Canada categories clearly demonstrates the complexity and importance of the mandates handled by our lawyers.