On June 18, 2021, Avril Supermarché, an independent, Quebec-based health food store chain, announced the closing of a transaction under which Desjardins Capital became a minority shareholder in order to support the chain’s growth in Quebec. The financing obtained will support Avril’s development plan, which includes opening a dozen more supermarkets over the next five years. The transaction was preceded by a major corporate reorganization. Lavery Lawyers feels privileged that Avril Supermarché, a long-standing client, reaffirmed its confidence in the firm by allowing it to contribute to Avril’s growth and support its founders and managers, Sylvie Senay and Rolland Tanguay, in all stages of the transaction. The Lavery team that worked with Avril Supermarché was led by Christian Dumoulin and composed of Jean-François Bilodeau, Dave Bouchard, Sophie Goulet, Katy Pelletier and Catherine Voyer.

On November 18, a Lavery team from the Sherbrooke office participated for the third consecutive year in the Défi à l’Entreprise, organized by Les Volontaires of the Cégep de Sherbrooke. The theme this year was the Défis d’Astérix. The Défi à l’Entreprise is a sporting event that brings together 50 of the most dynamic teams in Estrie. Teams are composed of 10 competitors for a total of 500 participants, selected from among the different companies participating.  Over 100 volunteers work to make the event a success, supported by a number of brand sponsors.   Participating companies come from throughout the greater Estrie region. The event raises funds for the Les Volontaires college sports teams so that they can compete in major sports tournaments in Quebec and Canada, and also promotes health and quality of life for workers through physical activity.    Front row : Kay-Sandra Boyer, Mylène Boisvert, Marie-Claude Lacaille et Marika Couture-Houle Back row : Miriane Paquin, Annie Pouliot, Jean-François Bilodeau, Dzenan Zulji, Letta Wellinger, Katy Pelletier

For the second year running, a team from Lavery’s Sherbrooke office participated in the Défi à l’entreprise competition, whose 30th edition was held on November 19, 2016. The purpose of this friendly competition between various local businesses is to raise money for CEGEP de Sherbrooke sports teams (les Volontaires). The Sherbrooke team finished seventh out of 32 participating teams. From left to right: Dzenan Zulji, Sylvie Stang-Chaput, Mylène Boisvert, Geneviève Chamberland, Justin Gravel, Marika Couture-Houle. Bottom row: Nicolas Thibault-Bernier, Sophie Goulet, Kay-Sandra Boyer, Katy Pelletier et Annie Pouliot

Lavery was a proud sponsor of the 3rd edition of the Coupe Québec mountain bike competition, which was held on June 25 and 26, 2016 in Sherbrooke's Mont Bellevue park. Organized by Club de vélo de montagne Dalbix, the event drew 360 participants for Saturday's Olympic cross-country (XCO) circuit and 320 for Sunday's classic cross-country circuit, stages 2 and 3 of the Coupe du Québec. In addition to its sponsorship, Lavery’s involvement extended to having a team of volunteers in charge of the refuelling post at the foot of the mountain during stage 2. Lavery’s team included lawyers Audrey-Julie Dallaire and Marilyn Paré, notary Cynthia Fortin, paralegal Katy Pelletier and articling student Cynthia Coutu. Funds raised during the event will mainly be used to set up mountain bike trails on Mont Bellevue and will contribute to the mountain’s development.   (From left to right: Katy Pelletier, Audrey-Julie Dallaire, Cynthia Fortin and Marilyn Paré (Cynthia Coutu absent)