This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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Myriam Brixi spoke at the Congrès des Services de Première Ligne
The Congrès des Services de Première Ligne was held on February 22, 2018, at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal. Over 300 participants, including medical clinic managers, physicians, residents, nursing personnel and other healthcare professionals who work on the front line of the system came together for the occasion. Myriam Brixi, a lawyer with the Lavery litigation group, spoke at the conference. Her presentation dealt with class actions relating to accessory costs, which were abolished on January 26, 2017, when the Regulation abolishing accessory costs related to the provision of insured services and governing transportation costs for biological samples came into force. In her presentation, she reviewed the class actions then underway and clarified the situation as it relates to front-line professionals affected by the regulatory change.
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Lavery, still leading the pack
For the fifth consecutive edition, Lavery ranked first among regional law firms in the Top 10 Québec Regional Law Firms survey published by Canadian Lawyer magazine. The results of this survey, which is conducted across Canada with lawyers in private practice and in-house legal advisors, are testament to the reputation and breadth of our firm’s expertise. Our client service and the remarkable skills of our lawyers have contributed to keeping Lavery poised at the top of the rankings for the past decade. The legal services reference in Québec Lavery also earned the Regional Law Firm of the Year Award from Chambers Canada. The Chambers award is proof of the exceptional confidence members of the Canadian legal community have expressed for our firm. Moreover, our presence in the major business centres of Quebec combined with our ability to provide services to businesses of all sizes makes Lavery a business partner of choice for our clients. Our vision—being an agent of change in the transformation of legal services “The vision of our firm provides us with the agility needed to adapt to the changing needs of our clients, whether they are in Quebec, the rest of Canada or abroad. We have remained at the head of these rankings since their inception due to the comprehensive range of legal services that we provide, which is always rooted in a client experience that is adapted to their business reality”, said Anik Trudel, Lavery’s Chief Executive Officer.
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A new partnership between Lavery and La Factry
Lavery is proud to launch a new partnership with La Factry, following the official inauguration of their new campus. This collaboration between Lavery and La Factry is a concrete step in order to accelerate our firm’s efforts in realizing the vision of being a force leading the transformation of our industry and of the way legal services are provided in Quebec. La Factry is an international calibre school of creativity sciences that forges creative minds capable of finding innovative solutions to contemporary problems. With the conviction that creativity can be taught, La Factry offers training programs focused on developing creative competencies. The campus also offers training tailored specifically to professionals and companies that are looking to transform their business creatively. Click on the following link to learn more about what unites Lavery and La Factry.
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Lavery takes part in the 5th edition of Pro Bono Québec’s Grands Vins, Grands Noms benefit evening
On February 8, 2018, several partners and lawyers represented Lavery at Pro Bono Québec’s Grands Vins, Grands Noms benefit evening for access to justice for all. The cocktail dinner, hosted at the McCord Museum, brought together some 250 VIPs who helped collect more than $131 600 during a silent auction. Lavery, an ambassador and sponsor of this charity dinner since its very beginnings, also contributes to Pro Bono Québec’s mission through Bernard Larocque, a partner who serves as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors, Luc Thibaudeau and Maude Adam-Joly, respectively a partner and an associate with the Litigation and Conflict Resolution group. Proceeds from the Pro Bono Québec benefit evening will help with the renewal of its programs and the creation of new ones. Founded in 2008 at the behest of the Barreau du Québec, Pro Bono Québec is a non-profit organization, whose mission is to mobilize the legal community in providing expertise and offering their time to individuals and Quebec NPOs who lack the resources required for legal services.
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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.