This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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Jean-Philippe Turgeon and Stéphanie Destrempes publish an article in the Franchise Law Journal
Jean-Philippe Turgeon a partner and the head of Lavery’s Franchising and distribution group, and Stéphanie Destrempes, a lawyer from the same group, have written an article entitled “The Franchisor’s Duty to Police the Franchise System” in the Franchise Law Journal published by the American Bar Association (ABA) [Volume 36-1 (Summer 2016)] in collaboration with Craig Tractenberg, partner at Nixon Peabody LLP (in New York). This article provides a comparison analysis (Canada and U.S.A.) of the franchisor’s implied duty, in correlation with the long term nature of the franchise agreement to protect its brand and maintain sustainable franchise system operations. The article also discusses the application of the business judgment rule.
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François Parent and Guillaume Lavoie present a conference on “Investing in a private equity fund: Review of key issues and rules for defined benefit pension plans”
On October 19, 2016, François Parent and Guillaume Lavoie, partners, gave a conference hosted by the Lavery Capital group entitled “Investir dans un fonds d'investissement privé” (“Investing in a private equity fund”). The conference aimed at presenting certain important principles that defined benefit pension plan administrators must keep in mind before investing in a private equity fund, real estate fund or hedge fund.
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Awatif Lakhdar speaks at the 3rd Colloque Liquidation des successions
Awatif Lakhdar, a partner with the Family Law Group, spoke about the survival of the support obligation and the family residence during the 3rd edition of the Colloque Liquidation des successions, held on October 5th in Montréal and October 27th in Québec City. Me Lakhdar reviewed some of the successions law notions specific to the survival of the support obligation and the criteria for determining support. She also provided details about the limits imposed by law and discussed the reduction of liberalities. Last, she raised various difficulties regarding the family residence, in particular the legislative priority in favour of the surviving spouse.
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Léonie Gagné interviewed on the “Airbnb Act” by the Journal de l’assurance
Léonie Gagné, a lawyer in the Litigation group, was interviewed for an article on the “Airbnb Act”published in the Journal de l’assurance on September 29, 2016. In the article, she gives an overview of the main obligations and issues that stem from the Act mainly to improve the regulation of tourist accommodation and to define a new system of governance as regards international promotion, which modifies the Regulation respecting tourist accommodation establishments. She also outlines the responsibilities of renters and owners, as well as the challenges insurers face since the Act came into force in April 2016.
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Pierre Marc Johnson speaker at the UMQ forum on economic development via international positioning
Pierre Marc Johnson, counsel and chief negotiator for the Government of Quebec in the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), was one of the speakers at a UMQ training forum whose theme was “Municipal economic development via international positioning”. Mr. Johnson gave a speech in front of fifty mayors who are members of UMQ executive. on the importance of international positioning on municipal economic development. For more information about this event, click here.
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Jean-Yves Simard explains oppression remedies on ICI Radio-Canada
On October 25, 2016, Jean-Yves Simard, presented oppression remedies during a report presented on ICI Radio-Canada regarding proceedings initiated by Ernst & Young, the court-appointed Monitor in the restructuring of Essar Steel Algoma. E&Y is suing Essar Global Fund Limited claiming that the latter had compromised the ability of its subsidiary, Essar Steel Algoma, to meet its financial obligations to numerous suppliers as well as its pension funds. To listen to the interview:http://ici.radio-canada.ca/util/postier/suggerer-go.asp?nID=1699914
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Almost 100 participants at the 2016 edition of Lavery’s Symposium in Labour and Employment Law in Sherbrooke
Lavery’s Sherbrooke office held the 2016 edition of its Conference in Labour and Employment Law and it was a great success. About 100 people made their way to the Delta Sherbrooke Hotel on September 27, 2016 where the event was held. On this occasion, attendees assisted to several presentations from Geneviève Chamberland, Danielle Gauthier and Dave Bouchard. on the subjects of Experts testimony, Recent case law in labour and employment law and psychological harassment.
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The 2016 edition of Lavery’s Symposium in Labour and Employment Law in Quebec City was a great success
Lavery’s Québec office held the 2016 edition of its Symposium in Labour and Employment Law on September 28, 2016, at hotel Quartier, and it was a great success. On this occasion, attendees got to participate in various workshops presented by Marie-Hélène Riverin, Brittany Carson and Charlotte Fortin. Speakers addressed many different subjects, such as best practices in recruiting, employment termination and disability management.
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Marie Cossette leads an “Effet A” workshop on self-confidence
On Saturday, October 15, 2017, Marie Cossette, a partner at the firm and head of the Business Integrity group as well as the Quebec City office’s Administrative law group, led the first L’effet A (the A Effect) workshop on the topic of self-confidence during which she presented an editorial on courage. A few well-known guests also spoke, such as Louise Cordeau, Christiane Germain and Isabelle Hudon, in addition to one of the other leaders, Marie-Pier St-Hilaire. All the themes covered related to self-confidence, the tools required to develop it and the path to take to learn how to deal with events when self-confidence flags. L’effet A’s mission is to drive women’s professional commitment to give them the courage to excel and take concrete actions by showcasing inspiring leaders who offer a new perspective on female ambition as well as offering practical tools adapted to the new realities women face. For more information on this topic, click here (link to French-only website).
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Marie Cossette named to the board of directors of La Fondation du Musée national des beaux-art du Québec
Marie Cossette, a partner at the firm and head of its Business Integrity group and the Québec City office’s Administrative law group was recently named to the board of directors of La Fondation du Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec. The foundation played an active role in making the new Pierre-Lassonde Pavilion a reality. With this involvement through the foundation, Lavery confirms its position as a leader in the region and as a key player who believes in the importance of building bridges between the business and cultural worlds.
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Éric Gélinas publishes a book on “butterfly” reorganizations
Éric Gélinas, counsel at Lavery in the firm’s Corporate Law group and associate professor in the Tax Department at Université de Sherbrooke’s Faculty of Administration, published a volume entitled “L'article 55 L.I.R. et les réorganisations papillon, 2e édition” (“Section 55 (I.T.A.) and Butterfly Reorganizations, 2nd edition”). This work expounds on the “butterfly” reorganization technique as well as otheraspects of Section 55. For more information about this reference book designed specifically for tax professionals working in the business mergers, acquisitions and reorganization field or to purchase the volume, click here.
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“Entretiens privés Lavery”: Jean Martel moderates a panel on the future of self-regulation in the Quebec financial sector
On October 13, 2016, Lavery’s Distribution of Financial Products and Services team held a private panel-discussion event where the future of self-regulation in the financial sector in Quebec within the context of the new reforms was discussed.Jean Martel, Ad. E., a partner at the firm, moderated the panel that was made up of Marie-Élaine Farley, President and CEO of the Chambre de la sécurité financière, Claudyne Bienvenu, Vice-President of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada for Quebec, and Maya Raic, President and CEO of the Chambre de l’assurance de dommages. Close to 90 people participated in the event and contributed to its success.