This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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Lavery represents Black Diamond in the acquisition of White Birch Paper Company in Quebec
On September 18, 2012, Black Diamond Capital Management, L.L.C. and BD White Birch Investment LLC announced the acquisition of the assets of White Birch Paper Company, the second largest newsprint manufacturer in North America. This transaction represents an important milestone in the restructuring process of the business commenced more than two years ago and will ensure the long-term viability of the new company. Black Diamond, a US-based independently owned alternative investment firm, was represented in Quebec by a multidisciplinary team from Lavery, which included Jean-Yves Simard and Jonathan Warin (restructuring and insolvency), Catherine Maheu, Josée Dumoulin and François Parent (labour and employment; pension and benefits), Dominique Bélisle, Brigitte Gauthier, Chantal Joubert and Étienne Guertin (financing and real estate law), Jean-Sébastien Desroches, Guillaume Lavoie, Ariana Lisio and Maxime Bergeron (business transactions, mergers and acquisitions), Yvan Biron and Sophie Prégent (environment) as well as Philippe Asselin and Audrey Gibeault (tax law). The Lavery team demonstrated its expertise and worked closely with colleagues at Goodmans (Toronto) and Skadden (Chicago), both counsel to Black Diamond.
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Carl Lessard discusses the National Hockey League labour conflict on TVA Sports
Mr. Carl Lessard, a partner at Lavery in labour and employment law, appeared yesterday night on the TV Show Le Premier Trio, produced by TVA Sports network, to discuss the recent judicial proceedings initiated by the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) with respect to the labour conflict, which has been raging for several months. An expert in labour relations, Carl Lessard dealt with various issues related to this conflict, including the revocation of certification, the judicial precedents in that regard in the United States and the risks that such proceedings could have on the outcome of negotiations.The comments of Carl Lessard can be read and viewed by clicking here (in French).
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Lavery ranks very well in the latest Financial Post League Tables
During the third quarter 2012, Lavery distinguished itself as Canadian legal counsel to underwriters in connection with various transactions. According to the figures published in the Legal Post column of the daily Financial Post, Lavery ranked 9th among all Canadian law firms for debt and equity offerings, 10th for equity offerings and 8th for debt offerings.It is worth mentioning that Lavery finished ahead of several national leading firms, which shows the strength of our transaction activity. In 2012, Lavery was ranked Quebec’s number one regional law firm by Canadian Lawyer magazine.
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Lavery Announces the Appointment of André Vautour as Chairman of the Board of Directors
Lavery is pleased to announce the appointment of André Vautour as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He succeeds Richard Dolan who acted as Chairman for the last three years. "I am very honoured by this vote of confidence from the firm’s partners and determined to support our new Managing Partner, Donald McCarty, who will assume his duties in January, and promote Lavery’s continued development and the reinforcement of our business law branding, all of which will benefit of our clients for years to come", stated André Vautour. As Chairman of the Board of Directors, André Vautour will ensure along with the Managing Partner proper carriage of all of the firm’s major files, and take part in the preparation and elaboration of the firm’s strategic development plan as well as oversee its implementation. André Vautour will continue practising in the areas of corporate and commercial law with a focus on strategic alliances, joint ventures, investment funds, mergers and acquisitions of private corporations, and technology law. In addition, on October 31, 2012, he was appointed Denmark’s Honorary Consul for the province of Quebec. André Vautour joined Lavery’s Business Law Group in October 2007. Prior to that, as representative of the firm Desjardins Ducharme, where he was Managing Partner, he headed the committee responsible for the agreement that enabled the Montreal office of Lavery to welcome 34 lawyers from Desjardins Ducharme in business law, commercial litigation and insolvency. During the negotiations between the two firms, André Vautour developed a close professional relationship with Richard Dolan, who was then Managing Partner, which largely contributed to the success of this integration. Lavery’s Board of Directors wishes to thank Richard Dolan for his commitment, dedication and exceptional contribution to the growth of the firm and its successful positioning, first as Managing Partner for 10 years and then as Chairman of the Board of Directors since January 2010. André Vautour is recognized in the 2013 edition of the directory The Best Lawyers in Canada in the fields of Information Technology Law and Technology Law. He has also been named "Best Lawyers’ 2013 Lawyers of the Year in Montreal" by Best Lawyers in the field of Technology Law in Montreal. In addition, he is listed in The Canadian Legal LEXPERT® Directory 2012 in the fields of Technology Transactions.
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Daniel Bouchard new Managing Partner of the Quebec City Office
Lavery is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel Bouchard as the new Managing Partner of the firm’s Quebec City office. Mr. Bouchard succeeds Louis Rochette who has acted as Managing Partner of our Quebec City office since 2004. "This is an excellent nomination for our Quebec City office", said Élise Poisson, Managing Partner of the firm. "In the last eight years, Louis Rochette has strongly contributed to the continued expansion and influence of the Quebec City office. Daniel Bouchard will enable us to build on this momentum and consolidate Lavery’s position in the legal services market." Member of the Quebec Bar since 1991, Daniel Bouchard practises mainly in the fields of municipal, environmental and administrative law. In addition, he has developed special expertise in the areas of land use planning and development, agricultural zoning, environment, municipal liability and municipal management. He regularly acts as barrister and solicitor for numerous municipalities, energy businesses, and municipal and other government bodies as well as for individuals dealing with public authorities. A renowned speaker and trainer, he has published many articles in various law reviews and other specialized publications. "I am very honoured by this nomination and I intend to reinforce our presence not only in the Capital Region but also elsewhere in Quebec", said Daniel Bouchard. "We have an excellent team and by putting together our respective strengths, Lavery will continue to provide our clients with exceptional service."
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Eugène Czolij recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
Lavery is pleased to announce that Eugene Czolij, partner at our firm, was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal on November 30, 2012 during a special awards presentation ceremony, which was organized by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal was created to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne in 1952. This distinction recognizes the significant contributions and accomplishments of Canadian citizens to a particular province or community.Lavery is proud to salute the unrelenting commitment of Mr. Czolij in the Ukrainian community, in Montreal, throughout Canada and around the world.Since 2008, Mr. Czolij is the President of the Ukrainian World Congress, an international coordinating body for Ukrainian communities in the diaspora representing the interests of over 20 million Ukrainians. The Ukrainian World Congress has member organizations in 33 countries and ties with Ukrainians in 14 additional countries.
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Lavery represents the syndicate of agents in the re-opening of Cominar real estate investment trust’s 4.274% series 1 senior unsecured debentures in the principal amount of $125 million
On September 14, 2012, Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust completed the re opening of its 4.274% Series 1 senior unsecured debentures due June 15, 2017 in the principal amount of $125 million, for total net proceeds to Cominar of approximately $125,6 million. The debentures were offered to the public by a syndicate of agents led by National Bank Financial Inc. and BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., including Desjardins Securities Inc., CIBC World Markets Inc., Scotia Capital Inc., RBC Dominion Securities Inc., TD Securities Inc., HSBC Securities (Canada) Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp., Dundee Securities Ltd. and Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd. The syndicate of agents was represented by a team from Lavery consisting of Marc Rochefort, Michel Servant and Geneviève Fournier (corporate and securities), and Philip Nolan (tax). Cominar is the third largest diversified real estate investment trust in Canada and the largest commercial property owner in the Province of Québec.
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Jean-Sébastien Desroches Winner of the 2012 Rising Star Award
Lavery is pleased to announce that Mr. Jean-Sébastien Desroches, a business law partner at the firm, has received the Rising Star Award, given out by the Legal Lexpert Directory, during a gala that was held in Toronto on December 3, 2012. This Canada-wide contest pays tribute to lawyers under 40 who are considered rising stars in the legal profession in Canada. The winners are selected based on rigorous and well-delineated criteria: professional accomplishments, leadership, contribution to firm profitability, business acumen, vision, education and awards, and teamwork. The practice of Jean-Sébastien Desroches is primarily focused on commercial transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and corporate reorganizations on behalf of public and private corporations. He represents Canadian, American and European clients in large-scale transactions where his leadership abilities enable him to provide unparalleled service to corporations that are active in a wide range of sectors, including finance, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and technology. Possessing comprehensive knowledge of his clients’ industries, Jean-Sébastien represents entrepreneurs in the development and implementation of commercial projects and joint ventures, with a focus on the transportation, infrastructure, aeronautic and energy sectors. He also advises clients in matters involving venture capital, investments, equity participation and transfer of businesses. "Jean-Sébastien Desroches has incomparable professional and human qualities that make him a legal expert respected by his clients and colleagues. Lexpert has acknowledged these qualities by giving him the Rising Star Award. In the course of his business law practice, Jean-Sébastien successfully combines versatility and specialization, the technical and human aspects of transactions, sharp argumentative prowess and a non-confrontational approach, successful execution of a transaction and the art of compromise. Jean-Sébastien is truly an example of level-headedness in a demanding profession as well as a great asset to Lavery", said Élise Poisson, Managing Partner of the firm. For more information, please visit the Lexpert Rising Stars website.
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Four women law students winners of the 2012 Lavery Awards of Excellence
Lavery is pleased to announce the recipients of the firm’s 2012 Awards of Excellence: Ms. Despina Mandilaras – Lavery, de Billy Award of Excellence in Environmental Law, Université de Montréal Ms. Léa-Maude Coulombe - Lavery, de Billy Award of Excellence in Labour Law, Université de Montréal Ms. Emmanuelle Rodrigue - Jacques-Perron Award of Excellence at the Clinique des services juridiques, Université de Montréal Ms. Laurence Mainville – Lavery, de Billy Award of Excellence in Corporate Law and Business Corporations Law, Université LavalLavery congratulates these four women law students who have been rewarded for their outstanding academic results. These awards, three of which bear the name of the firm while the fourth bears the name of a renowned Lavery partner, Mr. Jacques Perron, show that Lavery attaches great importance to those who will be tomorrow’s legal leaders.
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Crisis Management Conference co-chaired by Marie Cossette: A successful event
Co-chaired by Marie Cossette, partner at Lavery, the conference "Crisis Management: The legal advisor’s survival guide", sponsored by Lavery and that took place in Montreal on November 27, was very successful. This major event enabled participants (mainly in-house counsels and communications directors) to better understand and align the respective work of lawyers and public relations officers in crisis management situations.This conference included first-rate speakers who succeeded in putting into perspective the event’s three thematic topics: law, communications and media. Ms. Cossette gave the opening speech along with the other co-chair, Ms. Marie Grégoire, as well as a conference on the "lawyer and public relations officer duo". Mr. Jean Saint-Onge, Ad. E., partner at Lavery, discussed with the participants a few conflicts that were efficiently managed from a public relations standpoint.The participants were very pleased by the relevance of the subjects discussed and the quality of the speakers. Conference organizers were able to create a casual and yet studious climate that helped generate meaningful exchanges.For more information about this event (in French), click here.
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PME 2013 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal : A very successful first edition!
The first edition of PME 2013, which was held at the Palais des congrès de Montréal on November 22 and 23, 2012, has drawn several hundred people, mostly small and medium-sized enterprise executives and owners. Cosponsored by Lavery, this major event posted winning figures: about 4,000 participants, 150 experts, 75 conferences and 43 exhibit booths.Lavery is pleased to note that the conferences presented by Ms. Valérie Boucher ("Driving growth through acquisitions: How to successfully buy a business") and Ms. Marie-Hélène Jolicoeur ("Dealing with a problem employee: How to put an end to workplace frustration") were a sellout.