This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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Dina Raphaël and Nathalie Durocher co-authors of an article in Premières en affaires magazine
Dina Raphaël and Nathalie Durocher, respectively partner and lawyer at Lavery, published a text in the August-September 2012 issue of Premières en affaires, entitled "Votre contrat d’assurance sur Internet". In this article, they focus on the legislative and legal challenges of a fast-growing phenomenon: the online distribution of insurance products. Ms. Raphaël and Ms. Durocher observe that the insurance industry is currently going through significant changes and the Internet represents a very interesting marketing tool for the industry. In their concluding comment, they point out that such a tool must be used with caution and according to the current laws governing the distribution of insurance products and the formation of the insurance contract while taking into account consumer rights. Click here to read this article (in French only).
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Marie-Claude Perreault in a short video of the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés
Marie-Claude Perreault, CIRC, partner at Lavery, appears in a short video of the Ordre, which is focused on the key human resources trends from an occupational health and safety standpoint. In her comments, Ms. Perreault briefly discusses three major challenges that corporate human resources managers are confronted with:• the importance of good governance with respect to occupational health and safety files;• the financial management of employment injury files; and• the management of psychological injury files.Click here to view the video :www.portailrh.org/StudioRH/MCPerreault
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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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Lavery Welcomes Nine New Lawyers
Lavery is pleased to announce that nine lawyers have joined the firm during the last months. Adding these young professionals to the Lavery team demonstrates the firm’s willingness to attract new talent and optimize its service offering in areas of practice that respond to the needs of business clients in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada. These new lawyers will be members of three of the firm’s practice groups. Business Law Year of CallMs. Bianca Laliberté 1999Ms. Catherine Méthot* 2010Ms. Audrey Gibeault 2011Mr. Maxime Bergeron* 2011Mr. Étienne Guertin* 2012 LitigationMr. Michael Beeson 2011Mr. Alexis Devroede-Languirand* 2012Mr. Dominic Boisvert* 2012 Labour and Employment LawMs. Paméla Kelly-Nadeau* 2012*Articling student at Lavery. "The addition of these talented lawyers shows that Lavery gives priority to succession planning. We are dedicated to developing the skills of these young men and women within our firm. In this regard, our commitment is particularly expressed through our support of articling students. Among the nine new Lavery lawyers, six completed their articling at our firm", says Élise Poisson, Lavery’s managing partner.
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Donald McCarty to Become Managing Partner of Lavery in January 2013
Lavery is pleased to announce that Donald McCarty will become the firm’s managing partner commencing January 1st, 2013. He is currently Vice President, Law, as well as General Counsel and Secretary of Imperial Tobacco Canada (ITCan). Donald McCarty previously practised law at Lavery from 1979 to 1997, becoming a partner in 1987. A member of the Québec Bar and the Law Society of Upper Canada, he developed a practice specializing in business and environmental law, serving a number of local and multinational clients mainly in the fields of natural resources and environmental services.Mr. McCarty joined ITCan in 1997 and two years later was appointed Vice President, Law, and General Counsel. In addition to managing the Law Division, he sat on the company’s board of directors and was a member of its Canada Leadership Team. He notably oversaw a number of major financial transactions and commercial restructurings, and guided the company through events and issues that have shaped and defined the business activities not only of the company but of the industry. He also implemented innovative legal strategies for the management of major litigation and in 2005 received the Canadian General Counsel Award, presented by National Post and ZSA Legal Recruitment, in the category of Litigation Management and Corporate Restructuring."This appointment to the leadership of our firm is part of the ongoing implementation of our strategic vision," said Richard Dolan, chairman of Lavery’s board. "For many years, Lavery has been known for its business law positioning and for a range of services focused on the needs of the business community. With the arrival of Don, our clients will benefit from the experience of a senior business and litigation lawyer, while our firm will gain the expertise of a high-level corporate executive with a profound understanding of the legal services industry."
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Lavery Launches its New Plan Nord Blog
Lavery is pleased to announce the launch of its new Plan Nord blog. This blog will regularly provide information to its readers on various relevant topics, including articles on the business opportunities created by Plan Nord, current news, legislative and regulatory updates as well as on Plan Nord events organized by Lavery. "Lavery’s blog contributors have thorough knowledge of the areas targeted by Plan Nord, such as mining law, environmental law, Aboriginal law, energy and natural resources, labour relations, transportation and infrastructures, and municipal law", said René Branchaud, a Lavery partner who is actively involved in Plan Nord projects. here. --> We also invite you to follow us on Twitter.
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Louis Rochette receives the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
During a ceremony, which was held in the presence of close family members, Louis Rochette, partner at Lavery, was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, that was created to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne in 1952. This honorary distinction recognizes Canadian citizens who have made a significant contribution to a particular province or community in Canada, or an achievement abroad that brings credit to the country. Our congratulations to the recipient of this commemorative medal, Louis Rochette!
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Nicolas Gagnon recognized for his expertise in the area of construction and infrastructure
The September 2012 issue of the Globe and Mail Report on Business includes an insert entitled 2012 Lexpert/Report on Business Special Edition – Infrastructure (ROB Infrastructure) in which Nicolas Gagnon, a Lavery partner, is recognized as a leading lawyer in Canada in the area of construction and infrastructure law.To read this issue, please click here.
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Four new appointments for Jean Martel!
Lavery is pleased to announce that Jean Martel, Ad. E., partner of our firm, has recently been appointed to the Board of Directors of TMX Group Inc., which owns and operates the Montréal Exchange, Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange and Alpha Exchange. In addition, Jean Martel was named Chair of three (3) important TMX Group Board Committees: the Montréal Exchange Rules and Policies Committee, the Toronto Stock Exchange Rules and Policies Committee, and the Group’s Regulatory Oversight Committee.The responsibilities of the first two committees are to approve all rules and policies governing the listing and negotiation of shares and derivatives on the Toronto Stock Exchange and Montréal Exchange.The third committee is responsible for monitoring any conflict of interest that may arise due to control of the Group by 14 Canadian institutions – including many banks and pension funds such as National Bank and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec – and to this effect, the committee interacts and reports yearly to the Ontario Securities Commission.These responsibilities are therefore highly strategic and will increase Lavery’s visibility and expertise in the area of consulting with respect to the monitoring and operations of the Canadian securities market. Our congratulations to Jean!
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36 Lavery Lawyers Included in the 2013 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada
Lavery is pleased to announce that 36 of the firm’s lawyers have been listed as leading Canadian practitioners in their respective areas of expertise in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2013. "We are delighted that 36 lawyers of our firm are included in the 2013 edition of this prestigious directory. This recognition acknowledges the expertise, quality of work and dedication of these lawyers and the entire Lavery team. I would like to congratulate our 36 lawyers who have been singled out for their contribution to our clients’ success and the development of our service offering", said Élise Poisson, Lavery’s Managing Partner. Among the Lavery lawyers listed in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2013, three are first-time honourees: Guy Lavoie, Philip Nolan and Jacques Perron. The following lists the names of all Lavery lawyers included in the directory as well as their practice area(s): Armstrong, Marie-Claude Family Law Baribeau, Pierre-L. Labour and Employment Law Biron, Yvan Environmental Law Blouin, Michel Natural Resources Law Branchaud, René Natural Resources Law Cantin, Marie-Claude Insurance Law Charette, Louis Aviation Law; Product Liability Law; Transportation Law Coulombe, Gérard, Q.C. Corporate Law Czolij, Eugene Corporate and Commercial Litigation; Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Denis, Pierre Equipment Finance Law Dubé, Louis-Martin Real Estate Law Gagnon, Nicolas Construction Law Gélinas, Michel Labour and Employment Law Gravel, Marie-Andrée Mergers & Acquisitions Law Hébert, Jean Insurance Law Hotte, Jean-François Labour and Employment Law Jobin-Laberge, Odette Insurance Law Larocque, Bernard Class Action Litigation; Insurance Law Lavoie, Guy Labour and Employment Law Lemay, Guy Labour and Employment Law; Class Action Litigation Mason, Robert W. Director and Officer Liability; Insurance Law; Personal Injury Litigation; Product Liability Law Nolan, Philip Tax Law Pariseau, Luc Tax Law Paul-Hus, Jacques Mergers & Acquisitions Law Payette, Louis, Ad. E. Banking and Finance Perron, Jacques Transportation Law Pinard, Élisabeth Family Law Raphaël, Dina Director and Officer Liability; Insurance Law Rochefort, Marc Securities Law Rochette, Louis Health Care Law Rose, Ian Director and Officer Liability; Insurance Law Saint-Onge, Jean, Ad. E. Class Action Litigation Schachter, Raphaël H., Q.C., Ad.E. Criminal Defense Simard, Jean-Yves Corporate and Commercial Litigation; Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Stotland, Gerald Family Law Vautour, André Information Technology Law; Technology Law For more information, please visit the BEST LAWYERS website at www.bestlawyers.com.
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Jean Saint-Onge, Ad. E., Michel Blouin and André Vautour of Lavery Named Best Lawyers' 2013 Lawyers of the Year
Lavery is proud to announce that Mr. Jean Saint-Onge, Ad. E., Mr. Michel Blouin and Mr. André Vautour have been named Best Lawyers’ 2013 Lawyers of the Year by Best Lawyers, a peer-review publication in the legal profession. Jean Saint-Onge, Ad. E., has been named Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year 2013 Montréal Class Action Litigation. Michel Blouin has been named Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year 2013 Montréal Natural Resources Law. André Vautour has been named Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year 2013 Montréal Technology Law. "On behalf of Lavery, I sincerely congratulate Jean Saint-Onge, Michel Blouin and André Vautour for this recognition acknowledging the expertise, professionalism and integrity that they demonstrate toward our clients and their professional peers", stated Élise Poisson, Lavery’s Managing Partner. For more information, please visit the BEST LAWYERS website at www.bestlawyers.com.
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Lavery represents the syndicate of underwriters in the $172.5 million bought deal financing of units of Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust
On May 30, 2012, Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust closed a public offering of 7,279,500 units for gross proceeds of $172.5 million. The units were sold to a syndicate of underwriters 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., Canaccord Genuity Corp., Dundee Securities Ltd. and Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd. The syndicate of underwriters was represented by a team from Lavery consisting of Marc Rochefort, Michel Servant, Guillaume Lavoie 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.