This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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Lavery supports Pro Bono Québec in its first benefit event designed to promote access to justice
Lavery is pleased to support Pro Bono Québec in its first fundraising event that is designed to improve access to justice and will take place on March 19, 2014 at the Robin des Bois Restaurant at 6:00 p.m.Participants will take part in a silent auction where they will have the opportunity to acquire grands crus.To know more about the fundraising event, to reserve tickets or make a donation, click here (French only).
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The former Premier of Quebec, Pierre Marc Johnson, joins Lavery
Lavery is pleased to announce that Mr. Pierre Marc Johnson, G.O.Q., FRSC, has joined the firm as counsel.A lawyer and physician, Mr. Johnson is recognized for his expertise in the areas of international trade negotiations, environmental law and health law. Since 2009, he has acted as chief negotiator for the Government of Quebec in the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union. He also acted as personal representative of former Quebec Premier, Jean Charest, before the Chinese authorities in connection with the mission of the Council of the Federation to the People’s Republic of China in November 2008.Mr. Johnson is a highly sought-after legal advisor to governments, business corporations and many institutions including the United Nations, as well as a speaker and former McGill University law professor. He has also published numerous articles and books that discuss issues such as the environment, international governance and globalization. Mr. Johnson sits on the boards of directors of several corporations and organizations. He has been the recipient of many awards during his distinguished career, including the Grand Croix of the Ordre de la Pléiade and Grand Officer of the Ordre national du Québec."Lavery is honoured to welcome Pierre Marc Johnson, a remarkable lawyer whose impressive achievements speak for themselves. Mr. Johnson’s international expertise is widely acknowledged in Quebec, throughout Canada and around the world. Our firm will greatly benefit from his experience with international transactions", said Don McCarty, Managing Partner of the firm.
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Michel Servant of Lavery invited to chair the Prix Relève d’Excellence 2014 Committee of Réseau HEC Montréal
Mr. Michel Servant, a Business Law partner at Lavery, will be the Chairman of the Prix Relève d’Excellence 2014 Committee of Réseau HEC Montréal. This competition recognizes the professional success of HEC graduates, aged 35 and under, in four different categories: Large Enterprises, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), Entrepreneurs and Young Professionals. The award winners are selected by a jury of experienced business people.This event will take place as a Gala Evening on Thursday, May 15, 2014, at the Montréal Science Centre. 2014 will mark the 29th anniversary of the Prix Relève d’Excellence and Mr. Charles Guay, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada will act as Honorary Chairman. Standard Life provides long-term savings, investment and insurance solutions to more than 1.4 million Canadians.HEC Montréal is a university business school whose reputation as a leader in teaching and research is recognized in Quebec, Canada, and around the world.
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Lavery strengthens its position in the legal services market
The firm welcomes 31 lawyers from the Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières offices of Heenan BlaikieLavery is pleased to announce that the Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières teams of Heenan Blaikie will join the firm on March 1, 2014: 31 lawyers, two notaries and about 30 employees. This announcement comes after 13 lawyers and 12 staff members from the Montreal office of Heenan Blaikie joined Lavery. The firm thus welcomes a total of 85 people.This is aligned with the firm’s strategic plan that provides for the reinforcement of Lavery’s position as a leader in the business community in Quebec and elsewhere.These seasoned lawyers, who bring to Lavery decades of legal experience, will help the firm deepen its bench strength and enhance its service offering to clients in key areas of practice, particularly business law, labour and employment law, and litigation. Being present in the Eastern Townships and the Mauricie will also give Lavery the opportunity to maximize services provided to its clients located in these two regions."Early on we found common ground with our colleagues at Lavery: shared values and corporate culture, a similar pool of expertise and a determination to provide unparalleled service to our clients", said Sylvain Provencher, head of the Sherbrooke office.The head of the Trois-Rivières office, Jean Boulet, pointed out: "We decided to join Lavery because this well-established firm will increase its regional market reach in Quebec and enable our office to widen the range of services already provided to regional clients.""With the integration of the Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières offices of Heenan Blaikie to the Lavery network, our firm successfully stepped up its presence in accordance with its strategic goals. At Lavery, we consider it a privilege to welcome lawyers whose recognized experience and enviable reputation are definite assets to the firm as well as a dedicated staff renowned for its competence and professionalism. Today more than ever, Lavery has become the go-to law firm for companies doing business in Quebec", said Don McCarty, Managing Partner of the firm.
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Katia Opalka of Lavery, speaker at a Canadian Bar Association webinar
Katia Opalka, an environmental and aboriginal law partner at Lavery, delivered a presentation on the Quebec legislative framework for water during a recent webinar entitled “Regional Approaches to Water Across Canada” organized by the National Environmental, Energy and Resources Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association.
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The Quebec Bar 2014 National Symposium on Class Actions – Jean Saint-Onge interviewed by the Journal Barreau
Mr. Jean Saint-Onge, Ad. E., a Litigation partner at Lavery, was interviewed by the Journal Barreau in connection with the 11th edition of the National Symposium on Class Actions that will be held at the Palais des congrès de Montréal on March 20-21, 2014.According to Mr. Saint-Onge, the symposium has become a must-attend event that yearly draws dozens of speakers from Quebec, Canada and the United States who are discussing the most recent case law and trends with regards to class actions. Mr. Saint-Onge believes that class actions have become increasingly popular partly because they allow greater access to justice at a more affordable cost.To read this interview (in French, page 31), click here.
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Lavery represents Industrial Alliance in the redemption of its series C preferred shares in the aggregate amount of $100 million
On December 31, 2013, Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. redeemed all of its Non-Cumulative 5 Year Rate Reset Class A Preferred Shares Series C (the “Series C Preferred Shares”) then outstanding for an aggregate amount of $100 million. The Series C Preferred Shares were redeemed in accordance with the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Series C Preferred Shares and were delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange on December 31, 2013. Industrial Alliance was represented by a team from Lavery consisting of Marc Rochefort, Michel Servant and Maxime Bergeron (corporate and securities). Founded in 1892, Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. is a life and health insurance company with operations in all regions of Canada as well as in the United States.
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Lavery welcomes thirteen new lawyers to its Montreal office
Lavery is pleased to announce that thirteen new lawyers, who are practising in health law, labour law and litigation, have joined its Montreal office: six partners, one counsel and six associates. The new partners are as follows:Magali Cournoyer-Proulx practises in the areas of labour and employment law, and health law. She is recognized for her expertise in matters relating to the individual contract of employment and all legal questions concerning health institutions. She also advises various professional orders, syndics, organizations and associations in regulatory, disciplinary and ethical matters, and with respect to professional liability. Norman A. Dionne practises in the area of labour and employment law. He has long-standing experience in union certifications, the negotiation of collective agreements, the management of labour conflicts and grievance arbitrations. He is often called upon to act in cases involving employment disputes. Véronique Iezzoni focuses her practice on civil litigation. She has solid experience in matters regarding civil and professional liability, in particular relating to health and social services centres including the liability of the nursing staff and medical residents. Simon Gagné focuses his practice on both health and labour law, including grievance arbitrations, labour standards and the interpretation of collective agreements. He also offers a broad range of health law services to institutional and corporate clients. Sylvain Poirier, LL.M., heads Lavery’s Health Law team. For more than 25 years, he has been practising in health law and labour law. Mr. Poirier is a founding member of the Société de médecine et de droit du Québec. He was also a lecturer for the Université de Sherbrooke’s Master’s program in Health Law. Mr. Poirier is recognized as a leading practitioner in the area of Health Care Law in the 2012, 2013 and 2014 editions of The Best Lawyers in Canada. Best Lawyers also named him 2014 Montreal Lawyer of the Year in Health Care Law. Philippe Tremblay specializes in commercial litigation. He has led numerous complex files giving rise to a number of construction law remedies and has acted in various public-private partnership (PPP) construction files. Patrick A. Molinari, FRSC, is counsel. He brings to his health law and regulatory practice the experience of an exceptional career in academia. A professor at the Faculty of Law of the Université de Montréal from 1977 to 2010, he headed the Centre de recherche en droit public (Public Law Research Centre). He also acted as Associate Dean and then Dean of the Faculty as well as Provost, Administration and Finance of the Université de Montréal. In addition, Mr. Molinari was Chairman of the Board of the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal from 2004 to 2012. The new associates are as follows: Amélie Bélisle practises in the area of labour and employment law. She advises and represents small, medium and large private and public sector clients in all aspects of their labour and employment needs. She also acts as a legal advisor for her clients, representing them before various administrative and civil tribunals. Laurence Bich-Carrière focuses her practice on all aspects of civil and commercial litigation. She is also the author of several articles, including in the areas of intellectual property and constitutional law. Rhonda Grintuch focuses her practice on all aspects of health law as well as labour and employment law. She has also developed expertise with regards to the ethical, legal and social implications of pharmacogenomics research. Jérôme Laflamme practises in the area of labour and employment law. He handles every aspect of the employment relationship, including the interpretation of collective agreements, grievance arbitration matters, labour relations, labour standards and employment litigation. Mélanie Sauriol practises in the areas of labour and employment law, and health law. Her practice includes handling matters pertaining to grievance arbitration, labour standards, privacy law and human rights. She regularly advises health and social services institutions on administrative issues related to their organization and management. Charles Olivier Thibeault, M.Sc. (Health Services Management), practises in the area of health law. He assists institutions and organizations in Quebec’s health and social services sector with various legal issues. "We are very pleased to welcome these new lawyers. Their combined experience and expertise will help maximize our service offer in certain practice areas to reflect our clients’ needs and our growth objectives", said Don McCarty, Managing Partner of the firm.
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Bernard Larocque and Jonathan Lacoste-Jobin of Lavery, speakers at the 2013 Annual Review of Insurance Law
Mr. Bernard Larocque and Mr. Jonathan Lacoste-Jobin, Litigation lawyers at Lavery, acted as speakers at the 2013 Annual Review of Insurance Law that was held in Montreal on February 12, 2014.Organized by the Canadian Insurance Claims Managers Association (CICMA), this event drew many insurance professionals who wanted to learn more about the case law and trends that had an impact on the industry in 2013.
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Valérie Boucher and Diana Darilus of Lavery, speakers at an event of the Association de planification fiscale et financière
Ms. Valérie Boucher and Ms. Diana Darilus, lawyers in Lavery’s Business Law Group, acted as speakers on February 12, 2014 for the event La Relève presented by the Association de planification fiscale et financière (APFF).In their conference, entitled “Trusts and the 21-Year Rule: Impact and Measures” (À l’approche de la 21e année de la fiducie : impact et mesures à prendre »), Ms. Boucher and Ms. Darilus analyzed the tax and legal considerations that can be helpful in implementing a strategy aimed at reducing the tax impact following a trust’s 21-year anniversary.
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Lavery represents Héroux-Devtek Inc. in connection with the acquisition of British landing gear company APPH
Lavery is pleased to announce that it acted as the legal advisor to Héroux-Devtek Inc. (hereinafter "Héroux-Devtek"), a leading Canadian manufacturer of aerospace products, in connection with its acquisition of the entire share capital of U.K.-based APPH Limited and U.S.-based APPH Wichita, Inc. (collectively "APPH"), subsidiaries of BBA Aviation plc (LES: BBA). APPH is an integrated supplier of landing gear and hydraulic systems and assemblies for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket applications.The transactional team at Lavery was led by Jean-Sébastien Desroches (mergers and acquisitions) and included Josianne Beaudry (securities) and Raphaël Bacal (mergers and acquisitions). Lavery's financing team was led by François Renaud (financing) and included Étienne Brassard (financing).In this transaction, Héroux-Devtek acquired four plants located in the United Kingdom and one plant in Wichita, Kansas. These plants have a combined workforce of approximately 400 employees, including a design engineering department staffed with 40 professionals. The purchase price, net of about US$4 million of cash acquired, is approximately US$124 million. The transaction was financed with Héroux-Devtek's available cash and existing credit facilities."Lavery is pleased to have been an active participant in this major international transaction in the aerospace sector. This transaction is an eloquent indicator of the firm's advanced expertise in the area of mergers and acquisitions, and once again demonstrates our team's ability to support our clients as they expand into international markets", said Don McCarty, Managing Partner of the firm.
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Dominique Bélisle of Lavery, panelist at the Corporate State: Québec Summit
Ms. Dominique Bélisle, a Business Law partner at Lavery, was a panelist during the Corporate State: Québec Summit that was held on January 28, 2014 and drew around a 100 business women holding senior executive positions.Sponsored by Lavery and organized by Bedlam Productions Inc. in alliance with the Association of Québec Women in Finance, this event gave participants the opportunity to discuss four cutting-edge business trends that could have an impact on how business is conducted, such as new leadership paradigms, the reinvention of social conscience, changes in the retail business and the growth of fab labs, or how to do about anything on your 3D Printer, the latter representing a new form of collaborative digital creation and production using digital control machines which will revolutionize the manufacturing industry.