This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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Nadine Landry and Luc Pariseau take part in a conference on cross-border business activities in Boston
On February 4, 2015, Ms. Nadine Landry, a partner in the Labour Law Group and Mr. Luc Pariseau, a partner in the Business Law Group, both of Lavery, took part in a Conference in Boston entitled “'Doing business in Canada' can be risky business”. They provided insight on the various immigration and tax traps that exist when expanding and working outside the national American borders. This conference, attracting close to 50 participants, will also take place at our Conference center in Montreal, on April 22, 2015, this time addressing the pitfalls to avoid for a Canadian company that wants to do business in the United States.
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Daniel Bouchard of Lavery quoted in a newspaper article from Le Courrier de Saint-Hyacinthe
Mr. Daniel Bouchard, Managing Partner of the Lavery Quebec City office, was quoted in a recent article entitled «Changement de zonage en catimini », relating to a municipality’s obligation to inform its residents on zoning matters. According to Mr. Bouchard, the Act respecting land use planning and development is clear: a municipality must, by public notice in a newspaper, inform its population of any zoning by-law draft. It is at the very foundation of the democratic exercise of this process. To read this article, click here (in French only).
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Benjamin David Gross and Anne-Sophie Lamonde give a conference on mining project streaming agreements
On January 27, 2015, Mr. Benjamin David Gross, a partner in the financial services and creditors' rights, real estate law, and mining law teams, and Ms. Anne-Sophie Lamonde, a lawyer practicing in corporate law, both of Lavery, took part in the Conference on financing and security on property organized by the Canadian Institute. Their conference was entitled “Financing of mining projects: What you should know about ‘Streaming Agreements’” and sought to provide insight on this method of financing, which is gaining in popularity among senior mining companies, and more specifically, to explain the key provisions which one should consider when drafting or negotiating such agreements.
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The Pierre-Basile-Mignault competition bears the colours of Lavery's!
Teams mentored by Lavery lawyers win nine of the ten prizes in the 2015 edition. On February 6 and 7, 2015, students from all Canadian civil law faculties gathered at McGill University to engage in debates regarding real rights and the protection of the environment, during the prestigious Pierre-Basile-Mignault Moot Competition. For many years now, Lavery has been involved in this event and the 2015 edition is no exception. Three teams were supervised by our lawyers: Laurence Bich-Carrière and Jonathan Lacoste-Jobin for UQÀM Mary Delli Quadri and our former colleague Marie-Andrée Gagnon for University of Montreal (UdeM) Justin Gravel for University of Sherbrooke The finale pitted the UQÀM and UdeM teams against each other. The former team won (along with the Fasken-Martineau Cup; the Yvon-Blais Cup being handed to the UdeM team), and together, these two teams won almost every prize, which highlights Lavery’s strength in both civil law and oral advocacy. Four individual oratory prizes were awarded, going to Christophe Savoie (UdeM) (Robinson Cup for best speaker), Marie-Pier Lauzon-Raza (UQÀM) and Philippe Moisan-Royal (UQÀM) (Canadian Bar Cup (Quebec division) for 2nd best speakers, ex aequo) and Dominique Samson (UdeM) (Lavery Cup for 3rd best speaker, given by Bernard Larocque). If the Lauzon-Raza and Moisan-Royal pair won the finale, a discretionary prize was awarded to Savoie and Samson as best pair not participating in the finale. The SOQUIJ Cup for second best factum was awarded to Jessica Leblanc, Marylin Ménard et Jonathan Raizenne (UQÀM). Ms. Bich-Carrière and Mr. Lacoste-Jobin are particularly proud that their teams’ efforts were recognized, UQÀM being awarded the President of the Barreau du Québec for best overall team.
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Éric Gélinas gives a conference on anti-avoidance rules at the Canadian Tax Foundation’s Technical seminar on private corporations
On January 29, 2015, Mr. Éric Gélinas, legal counsel at Lavery and member of the Business Law Group, gave a conference entitled “Specific Anti-Avoidance Rules: paragraphs 56(2), 75(2), 83(2.1), 83(2.2) and 83(2.4) ITA – within the scope of corporate reorganization and corporate sale planning” (Les règles anti-évitement spécifiques: paragr. 56(2), 75(2), 83(2.1), 83(2.2) et 83(2.4) LIR – dans le cadre de la réorganisation corporative et de la planification de vente d’entreprise) during the Canadian Tax Foundation’s Technical seminar on private corporations. For more information about the seminar, please click here.
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Bernard Larocque and Jonathan Lacoste-Jobin present insurance law year-in-review for 2014 in memory of Jean Bélanger
On January 21 2015, at Lavery’s Montreal offices, and January 22, 2015, before the Canadian Bar Association, Mr. Bernard Larocque and Mr. Jonathan Lacoste-Jobin, both lawyers at Lavery who practice in insurance law, presented an insurance law year-in-review for 2014, in memory of Mr. Jean Bélanger. Both conferences were a great success.
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Katia Opalka publishes an article regarding policy decisions and the duty to consult
On January 23, 2015, Ms. Katia Opalka, a partner at Lavery who provides transactional support on environmental and Aboriginal law matters, published an article entitled “Duty to Consult and the Division of Powers” on the Canadian Bar Association (CBA), Quebec Branch website. In her article, Ms. Opalka, who is President of the Quebec Division of the Environment, Energy and Resources Law Section of the CBA, discusses the fact that the Federal Court of Canada recently addressed the question of whether the Crown’s constitutional duty to consult First Nations can be triggered by a policy decision. To read Ms. Opalka’s article, please click here.
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Lavery acts for consortium led by Magris Resources Inc. in the completion of the acquisition of the Niobec mine for a total consideration of US$530 million
Lavery is pleased to announce it has acted as legal counsel for the Province of Québec to a consortium led by Magris Resources Inc. in the completion of the acquisition of Niobec Inc., a subsidiary of IAMGOLD Corporation (TSX : IMG, NYSE: IAG) and one of the world’s three primary niobium producers. The total consideration of US$530 million was comprised of a US$500 million cash proceeds payable at closing, as well as an additional US$30 million payable upon commencement of commercial production from adjacent rare earths element properties. Lavery also acted as local counsel in connection with the financing of the acquisition. Lavery’s transactional and financing team was led by Mr. Sébastien Vézina (M&A and Mining Law) and Mr. Benjamin Gross (Financing), and included Mr. René Branchaud (Mining Law), Ms. Nicole Messier and Ms. Carole Gélinas (Real Estate Law and Mining Titles), Ms. Sophie Prégent (Environmental Law), Ms. Catherine Méthot and Mr. Raphaël Bacal (M&A), Mr. François Parent (Pension and Benefits), Ms. Catherine Maheu, Mr. Guy Lavoie and Ms. Valérie Korozs (Labour and Employement), Mr. Éric Gélinas (Tax Law), Mr. Pierre Denis and Ms. Anne-Sophie Lamonde (Financing).
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Marie Cossette - Panellist at two Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec breakfast conferences
On January 27, 2015 in Quebec City and January 30, in Montreal, Ms. Marie Cossette, a partner at Lavery, whose litigation practice focuses on public, administrative and disciplinary law, and who is responsible for the cabinet’s integrity practice, will sit on the breakfast discussion panels of Les matins de l’Ordre of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. Ms. Cossette, and three other panellists, will engage in discussion about “The engineer’s responsibility: as a professional, how can an engineer take action in a regulated context?” (La responsabilité de l’ingénieur – En tant que professionnel, comment l’ingénieur peut-il agir dans un contexte réglementé?) Moderated by Patrick Masbourian in Montreal and by Pierre Houle in Quebec City, the panel will help participants understand the difference between codes of conduct and ethics, be better prepared and have better knowledge of professional responsibility best practices, learn more about civil, penal, corporate and personal responsibility, and reflect on the values of their profession. For more information on the Conference, please click here.
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Marie Cossette participates in the opening workshop of the 71st ACRGTQ annual conference
On January 21, 2015, in Quebec City, Ms. Marie Cossette, a partner at Lavery, whose litigation practice focuses on public, administrative and disciplinary law, and who is responsible for the cabinet’s integrity practice, was a panellist at the opening workshop of the ACRGTQ annual conference (Association des constructeurs de routes et grands travaux du Québec). The congress and the workshop—the latter being a panel discussion hosted by Diane Martin previously with Radio-Canada in Quebec City—shared the same theme: “Let’s Build the Present” (Construisons le présent). Participants discussed the legal, ethical and media issues the industry faces and the various means at the disposal of builders to regain the trust of the population. To consult the conference’s programme, please click here.
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Jacques Perron and Maude Lafortune-Bélair participate as jury members on the Droit de Cité radio program on CIBL 101.5FM
On January 14, 2015, Mr. Jacques Perron, a partner at Lavery, participated as a jury member on the Droit de Cité radio program which airs on CIBL 101.5 FM. The program’s theme was Pour ou contre l’abolition de la notion de sexe en droit?, and the debate centered on the proposed modification of article 71 of the Quebec Civil Code. Previously, on October 1, 2014, Ms. Maude Lafortune-Bélair, a lawyer who works in the firm’s Litigation group, also participated as a jury member on the same program, which is coproduced by the Quebec Bar. For more information or to listen to an MP3 of the program, please click here.
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Raphaël Schachter to speak at Annual Student Dinner of the Lord Reading Law Society
On January 28, 2015, Mr. Raphaël H. Schachter, Q.C., Ad. E, will be the Guest Speaker at the Lord Reading Law Society celebrating the Society’s Annual Student Dinner. Mr. Schachter’s topic will be “Representing the High-Profile Client”, and he will recount many of his experiences accompanied by anecdotes in this regard. For the event, students at the École du Barreau and stagiaires are invited to attend as guests of the Society, and at no cost. Note that the Barreau du Québec has certified the lecture for one hour of CLE credit. For more information about the event and to reserve, please click here.