This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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NioGold Mining acquired by Oban Mining
Oban Mining Corporation, a mining company based in Ontario, has acquired all of the common shares of its Quebec counterpart, NioGold Mining Corp. This transaction was completed by way of an arrangement plan under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). A Lavery team composed of Isabelle Richard, Josianne Beaudry, and René Branchaud prepared and reviewed the documents related to this transaction, including the arrangement agreement and the information circular for NioGold’s shareholders’ meeting.
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Mont Sutton ski resort acquired by the Ryan group
Ski Sutton Inc. has been acquired by a group of private investors composed of managers of the ski resort. The transaction was carried out by way of an arrangement and was concluded for $7.5 million in March 2016. The Lavery team, composed of Isabelle Richard, Mylène Vallières, Josianne Beaudry, Luc Borduas, Jean-Yves Simard, and René Branchaud represented Ski Sutton Inc.’s controlling shareholders in the sale of the shares and its privatization. It also prepared the documents for this transaction, including the arrangement agreement and the information circular for the shareholders’ meeting, and obtained the court’s approval to proceed with the transaction.
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Société de développement de la Baie-James (SDBJ), Administration régionale Baie-James (ARBJ) and partners invest in BlackRock Metals Inc. to carry out a feasibility study for an open-pit mine
The Société de développement de la Baie-James (SDBJ), the Administration régionale Baie-James (ARBJ), the Cree Nation Government, and the Capital Mines Hydrocarbures fund, managed by Ressources Québec Inc., have invested more than $8 M in BlackRock Metals Inc. to finance a feasibility study for the development of an open-pit iron and titanium mine in the James Bay Territory. In this financing, René Branchaud and Guillaume Synnott, members of Lavery’s Business law group, acted as counsel for SDBJ and ARBJ.
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Spectra Premium Industries: Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Fondaction CSN, and Fonds de solidarité FTQ acquire $45 million interest in its share capital
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), Fondaction CSN, and Fonds de solidarité FTQ acquired interest in the share capital of Spectra Premium, a North American leader in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of automotive components for the aftermarket. This transaction will enable Spectra Premium not only to maintain ownership of the company in Quebec by reorganizing its share ownership but also to continue its expansion in North America and in global markets. The Caisse invested $28.3 million, while Fondaction CSN invested $15 million. The Fonds de solidarité FTQ, main shareholder of Spectra Premium, injected an additional $2 million into the company. A Lavery team represented Spectra Premium in this transaction. The group was lead by Luc Pariseau and included Richard Burgos, Raphaël Bacal (commercial law), and Jean-Philippe Latreille (taxation).
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Appointment of Martin Tétreault, a partner at Lavery, as Court of Québec judge
Lavery is proud to announce the appointment of Martin Tétreault to the Court of Québec, effective April 13, 2016. Mr. Tétreault will preside at the Civil Division and Youth Division in Granby. With a bachelor of laws, a master’s in health law from Université de Sherbrooke, and a post-graduate certificate in law (D.E.A.) from Université de Montpellier, Mr. Tétreault was called to the Barreau du Québec in 1991 and practised law at various private firms before being hired by Lavery in 2014. During his career, Mr. Tétreault has advised and represented a wide range of clients, practising in areas such as construction, civil liability, insurance, and the pharmaceutical industry. An author and a lecturer, he also taught pharmaceutical and construction law at Université Laval and Université de Sherbrooke while contributing to professional training and development at the firm. This appointment is in line with a long tradition at Lavery, which has seen many of its partners appointed to the bench.
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Inauguration of the Lavery Room at the Université de Sherbrooke Faculty of Law library
The Université de Sherbrooke’s Faculty of Law library will receive a makeover as a result of several sponsors’ contribution including a generous $150,000 donation from Lavery. The renovations that are set to begin in May will be completed by December 2016. At that time, the law students will enjoy a new high-tech work space with amenities on the cutting edge of technology specifically adapted to encourage teamwork. In order to highlight this important contribution, the law Faculty inaugurated a new multimedia room on March 22, 2016, and named it the Lavery Room. The firm that already has privileged long-standing ties with the Université de Sherbrooke has also supported the development of the Faculty of law as well as the activities of the law students’ association (Association générale des étudiants de droit). They are also a partner of the Colloque annuel en politiques et droit de la santé. Members of the firm as well as Mr. André Vautour, Lavery’s Chairman of the board attended the inauguration and are very proud to accompany the Université de Sherbrooke in contributing to the education of the next generation of lawyers. To see more pictures, please click here.
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Maxime Rousseau-Turenne published an article on the Pro Bono Committee News of the International Bar Association (IBA)
Maxime Rousseau Turenne, a litigation lawyer at Lavery, published an article entitled“Extrajudicial costs and pro-bono legal representation: the Quebec experience”, in the May edition of the Pro Bono Committee News of the International Bar Association (IBA). This article features how the Supreme Court of Canada, after the exoneration of Réjean Hinse who was wrongly convicted and unjustly sentenced to prison, had confirmed that, in cases of abuse of process, one cannot relieve one party of its obligation to pay the other party extrajudicial fees (lawyer’s fees) solely on the grounds that the other party is represented by pro-bono counsel. Mr. Rousseau-Turenne hopes that this decision will encourage more lawyers in Quebec to volunteer their services in pro-bono cases, and therefore promote access to justice for everyone. To read Maxime Rousseau-Turenne’s article, click here and then click on the May 2016 link.
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Lavery lawyer Awatif Lakhdar participates in the first gathering of Moroccan lawyers living abroad
On April 8, 2016, Awatif Lakhdar, a member of Lavery’s Family , personal and estate law team, participated in the first Forum for Moroccan lawyers living abroad organized by Morocco’s Ministère chargé des Marocains Résidant à l’Étranger et des Affaires de la Migration in Rabat, Morocco. This gathering was attended by more than forty-five lawyers and judges working in various legal fields, in more than eleven countries. Invited to represent Canada, Ms. Lakhdar co-lead a discussion panel before several Moroccan dignitaries and judges on the subject of “Co-operation and Partnership,” in particular, the need for legislative reform of private International law in Morocco. The goal of this Forum was to identify the social, legal, and administrative difficulties facing Moroccans living abroad, propose ways to mitigate those difficulties, offer greater legal assistance to those in vulnerable situations, as well as establish a network of Moroccan lawyers living abroad.
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Lavery lawyer Léonie Gagné contributed to the community by offering free legal consultations at the Bar of Montreal’s Salon VISEZ DROIT
Léonie Gagné, a litigation lawyer at Lavery, offered free legal consultations in her area of practice at the 19th annual Salon VISEZ DROIT, organized by the Bar of Montreal on April 12. Committed to giving back to the community, Ms. Gagné decided to volunteer her time and expertise for this event which is organized to educate the public about their rights and obligations as well as promote a better understanding of the legal system. The Salon VISEZ DROIT consists of four days of law-related activities organized by the Bar of Montrealfor the general public. The 19th edition took place from Monday, April 11, to Thursday, April 14, 2016, at the Complexe Desjardins in Montréal, with actress Lynda Johnson serving as spokesperson. Thousands of visitors came to the event to meet the exhibitors and participate in the free activities offered.
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Édith Jacques appointed Chair of the board of Manufacturiers et exportateurs du Québec (MEQ)
Lavery is proud to announce that Édith Jacques, a partner in its Business law group, was recently appointed chair of the board of Manufacturiers et exportateurs du Québec (MEQ). Ms. Jacques, who is well-known for her work with manufacturing and energy companies, regularly supports her clients in the development of new products and distribution networks as well as project management. Having served on MEQ’s board of directors since 2008, Ms. Jacques has been vice-chair since 2013. It was in line with her commitment as chair of the board of the MEQ and as a member of the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) board that she met with Kathleen Wynne, premier of Ontario, at the CME’s meeting, last month. As Chair, Ms. Jacques aims to deepen her understanding of the business challenges facing manufacturing and export companies and play a key role in developing the industry.
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Lavery hosts Québec women in finance at the launch of the 2016 AQWF gala
Lavery celebrated women leaders by hosting the annual pre-gala VIP cocktail party of the Association of Québec Women in Finance (AQWF). The purpose of this event was to launch the festivities surrounding the 11th edition of the organization’s annual “Les Talentueuses s’entourent” gala celebrating the professional success of exceptional women who have distinguished themselves in the finance sector. The finalists were announced in four categories - Inspiration-Andrée Corriveau, Rising star, Leadership, Initiative for the advancement of women in finance – as well as for three “next generation” awards to be presented to finance students. As a proud partner of the AQWF, Lavery wishes the best of luck to the winners, whose names will be announced on April 21, 2016.
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Michel Servant invited to preside the Prix Relève d’Excellence 2016 Committee of Réseau HEC Montréal
Michel Servant, a partner at Lavery, will be the President of the Prix Relève d’Excellence 2016 Committee of Réseau HEC Montréal. This competition recognizes the professional success of HEC’s graduates, aged 35 and under, in four different classes: Large Enterprises, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), Entrepreneurs and Young Professionals. The prize-winners are selected by a jury of experienced business people. This event will take place as a Gala-Evening on Thursday, May 26, 2016, at the Bonsecours Market in Montréal. It will be the 31st anniversary of the Prix Relève d’Excellence in 2016 and Mr. Hubert Bolduc, President and Chief Executive Officer of Montréal International will be the Honorary President. Montréal International is an organization whose mission is to attract foreign investment, international organizations and strategic talent to Greater Montréal.