Following a qualification process, the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable du Québec (MTMD) issued a call for tenders in 2022 for the construction of the new Île-aux-Tourtes bridge pursuant to the project delivery method known as design-build-finance (DBF). Since this was a DBF, the financing of this project had to be included in the proposals made by the selected candidates. Lavery represented the successful consortium made up of Dragados Canada Inc., Roxboro Excavation Inc. and Construction Demathieu & Bard Inc. Our role required expertise in the following areas: (a)   Governance and corporate law  (b)  Project financing (banking and securities)  (c)   Public procurement (d)  Construction law (e)   Commercial agreements (f)    Taxation  Lavery represented the consortium from the call for proposals to the financial close, including the drafting phase leading up to the awarding of the contract to the consortium. The financing was the most complex part of this transaction. Under the hybrid approach retained for that project, a major credit facility to be granted by a bank syndicate had to be set up, as well the private placement of two tranches of bonds. This involved adjusting the rights and obligations of creditors on both sides within a sophisticated intercreditor agreement. The financing also required parent company guarantees, including from French and Spanish corporations, which required us to find common ground to accommodate the typical requirements of a North American financing and the specific corporate and commercial features applicable in France and Spain. To meet this challenge, we put together a multidisciplinary team, divided up the work in accordance with our professionals’ diverse expertises, and dedicated a team member exclusively to interactions with the MTMD, its lawyers and the issuers of performance bonds typical for this kind of projects. Sound project management practices were essential to the success of this team effort. It is a privilege for Lavery to have participated in this essential project allowing the people of Quebec to obtain a new bridge linking the regions of Montérégie and Montréal. The Lavery team was led by Josianne Beaudry, Nicolas Gagnon, Édith Jacques, David Tournier and André Vautour, and included Véronik Bonneville-Pesant, Katerina Kostopoulos, Jean-François Maurice, Joseph Gualdieri, Siddhartha Borissov-Beausoleil, Alexandre Turcotte, Luc Pariseau, Charles Hugo Gagné, Mickaël Pageau, Jean-Vincent Prévost-Bérubé and Yohann Lévy.

Lavery is pleased to announce the arrival of three new lawyers and two new paralegals who will bring their wide-ranging expertise to the firm. Gabrielle Ahélo  – Associate Gabrielle Ahélo is joining the firm’s Business Law group, and her practice focuses mainly on corporate, commercial and tax law. Before becoming a lawyer, She spent the first nine years of her career as a paralegal in the corporate and tax sectors. “I see Lavery as a high-quality multidisciplinary firm, close to the Quebec business community and local entrepreneurs. It’s what I liked about it right away. The firm is brimming with quality professionals who stand out and work with their clients to help them achieve their goals and grow their business. I decided to join Lavery after meeting with two partners, Étienne Brassard and Audrey Gibeault. I felt a great affinity between my values and theirs. I am a firm believer in mentoring and I truly feel that I have found great mentors in them. I am very much looking forward to working with them and, more importantly, learning from them. I have a deep appreciation for business law and entrepreneurs. I strive to support them in their daily business, to help them think strategically from a legal standpoint and all other standpoints, and Lavery will help me achieve this goal.” - Gabrielle Ahélo Joseph Gualdieri – Associate Joseph Gualdieri is joining our Business Law group. He supports our partners and experienced members, working primarily in the areas of mergers and acquisitions and commercial law. “What attracted me to Lavery was the emphasis on know-how, the excellence of the firm’s services and the lawyers who work there, which makes Lavery one of the most prominent firms in Quebec. Joining an experienced team with in-depth knowledge of a wide range of industries is very appealing to me, and I want to continue the tradition of offering our clients the best strategies and legal advice to help them achieve their business goals.” - Joseph Gualdieri Catherine Méthot – Associate Catherine Methot is joining our Business Law group and her practice focuses mainly on mergers and acquisitions and commercial law. “As I had started my career as a student to then do my articling and become a lawyer at Lavery, it was just natural as a next step in my career to return to my roots. I am very happy to be back in the great Lavery family, providing high quality services under positive and human-centric leadership and guidance. I am confident that the expertise I have developed as an in-house legal counsel combined with Lavery’s expertise will be put to good use for our clients.” - Catherine Méthot   Lysa Laramée – Paralegal Lysa Laramée is joining our Business Law group. She began her career as a paralegal intern at Lavery and practices mainly in the field of mergers and acquisitions. “As a recent paralegal graduate, it was important for me to join a team focused on mentoring, teamwork, and mutual support to fully develop my skills. Even during my final internship program at Lavery, I felt welcomed and was encouraged to take part in the firm’s professional and social activities. At Lavery, you are welcomed as if you were already part of the family, and everyone is happy to share their knowledge with you. So, it made total sense for me to officially join this caring and driven team when I completed my internship.” - Lysa Laramée   Belinda Rigon – Paralegal Belinda Rigon is joining our Litigation group.Belinda supports lawyers practising in insurance litigation, ranging from professional and civil liability to other related sectors. She plays a key role in managing litigation cases and preparing legal documentation. “I see Lavery as a renowned firm that has evolved over time. It is the perfect place for someone ambitious to prove themselves and take their professional career to the next level. What persuaded me to make the leap and join the Lavery team was the energy I felt during my first visit to the firm. I was welcomed warmly and had enriching discussions with those who would soon become my co-workers. I was convinced in no time.” - Belinda Rigon