This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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Lavery celebrates the fifth anniversary of its Intellectual Property group
We are pleased to mark the fifth anniversary of Lavery’s Intellectual Property group. Providing a broad array of services, the team has contributed to the firm’s leading position in this field of expertise. Made up of lawyers as well as patent/trademark agents, the Intellectual Property team has boosted the firm’s success and growth by leveraging its cutting-edge expertise and working closely with clients from various sectors, including the auto, aerospace, artificial intelligence, energy, entertainment, video games, life sciences, manufacturing, retail, mechanical engineering, technology and transportation industries. Major shift in Lavery’s relationship with companies in the knowledge, innovation and technology sectors Lavery has gained distinction for being one of the firms filing the largest number of applications with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Based on recent statistics, Lavery ranks second among Quebec firms in terms of the number of trademark and patent applications submitted over the past year. “Above all, we are celebrating five years of excellence and commitment via an enriching legal partnership that has evolved alongside the knowledge industries with a view to protecting our clients and promoting their bold approach.” – Isabelle Jomphe, Partner, Trademark Agent and Co-Leader of Lavery’s Intellectual Property group. Over the past five years, the Intellectual Property team members have played a key role in many major cases, providing strategic advice and safeguarding the assets of national and international clients alike. Their proactive approach and technical expertise have set the firm apart as a legal partner of choice for companies seeking to successfully navigate the complicated intellectual property landscape. “Over the past five years, our Intellectual Property team has become an essential part of Lavery, laying out an international vision and forming a local anchor point for our expertise.” – Serge Shahinian, Partner, Patent Agent and Co-Leader of Lavery’s Intellectual Property Group.
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Two new members join Lavery’s ranks
Lavery is delighted to welcome David Choinière and Maude Sirois to its Litigation and Dispute Resolution team. David Choinière David's practice focuses mainly on banking litigation, restructuring and insolvency. He also advises and represents his clients in commercial disputes of all kinds and regularly makes representations before the various Quebec courts. "I'm delighted to be joining the team at Lavery, a firm with an outstanding reputation. For me, Lavery is synonymous with expertise, competence and intellectual rigour, which is why I chose to continue my career with the firm. I'm particularly looking forward to working with experienced lawyers in the commercial litigation, restructuring and insolvency team. I know that this new challenge will not only serve to put my experience and knowledge to good use, it will also spur my professional development." Maude Sirois Maude's practice focuses primarily on health and social services law. In particular, she represents institutions in hospital and professional liability proceedings. She also has expertise in consent to care. As part of her practice, Maude is also called upon to provide strategic advice on the governance of health care and social services establishments. "At Lavery, I found a health law team with cutting-edge expertise, focused on collegiality, professional development and know-how. That's what compelled me to take the plunge, but what really made Lavery the firm of choice for me was meeting my future colleagues and the warm discussions that we had."
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Isabelle P. Mercure and Marie-Nancy Paquet take over as managers of the Sherbrooke office
Lavery is pleased to announce that Isabelle P. Mercure and Marie-Nancy Paquet have been appointed to run the Sherbrooke office. Our two partners are taking over from Christian Dumoulin, who was Managing Partner for over eight years. Isabelle P. Mercure will also be joining the firm’s Management Committee. An engaging duo We are convinced that our two partners’ complementary skills will ensure that our Sherbrooke teams are fully engaged, our business grows and our firm is well-positioned in the Estrie region. Isabelle joined the firm in 2014, specializing in transactional and tax law. She focuses her practice mainly on corporate law, trusts and taxation, and has developed a sought-after expertise with a diverse clientele of healthcare professionals. As for Marie-Nancy, she joined Lavery in 2018 and is a partner in the litigation group. She practices mainly in civil liability, health and social services law, personal insurance and contract management, in addition to leading large-scale class actions. About Lavery Lavery is the leading independent law firm in Québec. Its more than 200 professionals, based in Montréal, Québec City, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières, work every day to offer a full range of legal services to organizations doing business in Québec. Recognized by the most prestigious legal directories, Lavery professionals are at the heart of what is happening in the business world and are actively involved in their communities. The firm’s expertise is frequently sought after by numerous national and international partners to provide support in cases under Québec jurisdiction.
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Lavery welcomes two lawyers, bolstering its expertise in commercial litigation
Lavery is delighted to welcome Marc-André Landry and Joël Larouche to its Litigation and Dispute Resolution team, who will bolster the firm's expertise in commercial litigation. Marc-André Landry is joining the team as a partner. Having solid experience in dispute resolution, he assists his clients in particular with negotiation, mediation or arbitration, or before the various courts of law.He acts for a wide range of clients in sectors as diverse as construction, real estate, renewable energy, conventional energy, new technologies, financial services and pharmaceuticals. Mr. Landry is regularly consulted in cases involving fraud or corporate data theft. Using his knowledge of extraordinary remedies (Anton Piller and Norwich orders, seizures, requests for confidentiality, among others) he is able to protect his clients' interests effectively. He also defends business people accused of violating securities laws by the Autorité des marchés financiers."Lavery's vision and the strength of its team persuaded me to join the firm—and I did the right thing. Clients already benefit from and appreciate Lavery's multiservice platform, which meets the needs of SMEs as well as those of the largest institutions," says Marc-André. Joël Larouche joins the team as Senior Associate. He focuses his practice primarily on commercial litigation issues such as insolvency and restructuring. Over the years, he has gained extensive experience with injunctions of all kinds, including Anton Piller, Norwich and Mareva injunctions, as well as those used in breaches of non-solicitation and non-competition clauses and the theft of personal and confidential information, among others. He frequently acts as an independent supervising lawyer in the context of Anton Piller order enforcement. He is sought out by clients to act in various situations, including shareholder and transactional disputes, as well as in regulatory investigations and in the resolution of corporate governance issues. His practice leads him to represent both large private and institutional corporations, in particular in the financial, technology and construction sectors. "I'm delighted to be joining the Lavery family, which has a passionate and meticulous team with a proven track record. The idea of working for a leading independent firm quickly appealed to me, but above all, I was convinced when I saw how people-centered the firm is," says Joël.The combined expertise of these two professionals consolidates Lavery's commercial litigation offer, affirming the firm's position as a leader in Quebec.
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Myriam Brixi recognized as Canada’s leading litigation expert by Lexpert
On November 23, 2023, Lexpertrecognized Myriam Brixi’s expertise in its 2023 Special Edition: Litigation. This directory ranks the leading litigators involved in Canada’s landmark litigation cases who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession by providing outstanding service to clients. Each year, the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory team analyzes the most notable cases in the country and conducts in-depth interviews with litigation lawyers to evaluate peer nominations and place the spotlight on outstanding legal professionals. As a partner in Lavery’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution group, Myriam Brixi focuses her practice primarily in the areas of class actions, product liability, consumer law and insurance law. She has participated in complex class actions raising important legal issues, including a wide range of multi-jurisdictional class actions. Myriam adds this recognition to the one she received earlier this year as Quebec Litigator of the Year in the Emerging Talent category and another she received as one of the Top 100 Women in Canadian Litigation by Benchmark Litigation. Congratulations to Myriam for this distinction that is a testament to her talent and expertise. For more information, please go to: https://www.lexpert.ca/rankings/best-lawyer/se-lit About Lavery Lavery is the leading independent law firm in Québec. Its more than 200 professionals, based in Montréal, Québec City, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières, work every day to offer a full range of legal services to organizations doing business in Québec. Recognized by the most prestigious legal directories, Lavery professionals are at the heart of what is happening in the business world and are actively involved in their communities. The firm’s expertise is frequently sought after by numerous national and international partners to provide support in cases under Québec jurisdiction.
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Lavery’s Anik Trudel named CEO of the Year by Les Affaires in its medium-sized business category
Lavery is proud to announce that its CEO, Anik Trudel, was named CEO of the Year 2023 by the Journal Les Affaires in its medium-sized business category. The nomination of a woman in this category is a first in the history of Les Affaires. The CEO of the Year award is presented to leaders who innovate, honour stakeholders, foster a strong corporate culture and provide the right conditions for growth. This recognition, awarded by a jury of leaders in the business community, is a testament to Anik Trudel’s leadership in ensuring the firm’s growth and progression since her arrival six years ago. “I would like to share this distinction with all the partners, lawyers, members of the Management Committee and administrative staff, without whom all our achievements would not have been possible. The entire Lavery family and I are truly honoured to receive this recognition from members of the Quebec business community. This goes to show that our shared passion for achieving our objective of partnering with key stakeholders in the Quebec economy is valued,” said Anik Trudel. When she was appointed in 2017, her profile in the legal industry was unique: a female lawyer no longer practicing law, taking the helm of a firm where she had never before been an employee, let alone a partner. Lavery chose her not only for her keen understanding of the legal practice, but also for her innovative approach to management, aiming to becoming a leader in reshaping the legal profession in Quebec. Lavery prides itself on its inclusive, collaborative and performance-driven corporate culture. As a CEO entirely dedicated to managing the firm’s operations effectively, Anik has devoted herself to building a diverse team of professionals, including some from outside the legal profession, to work alongside the partners in order to achieve the firm’s strategic objectives. Lavery is undergoing significant growth, setting itself apart with its innovative approach in the industry.
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Lavery recognized by The Globe and Mail as one of Canada's Best Law Firms 2024
On November 15, 2023, the Globe and Mail released the results of its inaugural edition of Canada's Best Law Firm for 2024 and we are pleased to announce that Lavery is included. The ranking for Canada's Best Law Firms was created based on recommendations from lawyers and clients (corporate legal departments). The final list ranks law firms in 31 specialties. Out of the thousands of law firms analyzed, only 200 are recognized. About Lavery Lavery is the leading independent law firm in Quebec. Its more than 200 professionals, based in Montréal, Quebec, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières, work every day to offer a full range of legal services to organizations doing business in Quebec. Recognized by the most prestigious legal directories, Lavery professionals are at the heart of what is happening in the business world and are actively involved in their communities. The firm's expertise is frequently sought after by numerous national and international partners to provide support in cases under Quebec jurisdiction.
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Lavery provides support as La Presse navigates transformation
In December 2020, Montreal-based La Presse became one of the first media outlets in Canada to obtain registered journalism organization (RJO) status. The special status, introduced by the federal government and granted by the Canada Revenue Agency, is intended to provide alternative funding options for news organizations hit hard by declining revenues, enabling them to fund themselves through donations. Lavery had the privilege of helping La Presse reorganize its corporate structure, so it could meet all the criteria for the designation and enjoy advantages such as tax-exempt status and the ability to issue donation receipts.We also represented La Presse in talks with the Canada Revenue Agency, emphasizing the distinct nature of a mass media outlet like La Presse and the highly competitive environment in which the organization operates. As a result of our representations, La Presse was able to secure RJO status. La Presse subsequently sought our guidance on establishing new governance rules to meet its obligations as an RJO and on creating a second social utility trust. The Lavery team was led by Luc Pariseau and Audrey Pelletier.
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Mining: Lexpert Recognizes Three Partners as Leading Lawyers in Canada
On October 23, 2023, Lexpert recognized the expertise of three of our partners in its 2023 Lexpert Special Edition: Mining. Josianne Beaudry, René Branchaud and Sébastien Vézina now rank among Canada’s leaders in the area of Mining. Josianne Beaudry is a partner and leader of the Business law group at Lavery. Her practice is primarily focused on securities law, investment funds and mining law. She advises financial sector participants on the application of regulations relating to securities and corporate governance. René Branchaud is a partner in the firm’s Business Law group. He practises in the fields of securities, mergers and acquisitions, as well as corporate law. With more than thirty years’ experience, he advises companies on matters such as incorporation and organization, the drafting of shareholder agreements, private placements, public issues, going public, dispositions, and takeovers. Sébastien Vézina is a partner in the firm’s Business Law group. Over the years, he has refined his practice and developed a particular interest in negotiating commercial agreements with companies in the mining and renewable energy sources, financial services and sports and entertainment industries. Generally, Sébastien's practice in these different industries includes public and private mergers and acquisitions, public and private financing, private sector investments and company buyouts, in particular cross-border transactions between Canada and the United States and international transactions, and the negotiation of various commercial agreements. About Lavery Lavery is the leading independent law firm in Quebec. Its more than 200 professionals, based in Montréal, Quebec, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières, work every day to offer a full range of legal services to organizations doing business in Quebec. Recognized by the most prestigious legal directories, Lavery professionals are at the heart of what is happening in the business world and are actively involved in their communities. The firm’s expertise is frequently sought after by numerous national and international partners to provide support in cases under Quebec jurisdiction.
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Lavery is developing its own generative AI tool
Lavery, the leading independent law firm in Quebec, is developing its own interface whereby all its members will be able to access different versions of ChatGPTTM, the conversational agent developed by OpenAITM. Becoming familiar and having a good understanding of how this type of tool works is essential for the firm, its members, and its clients. Staying on the cutting edge of AI developments and evolving legal services With the creation of this personalized interface, Lavery is building on its cutting-edge position in the areas of AI and legal services with an emphasis on innovation and security. Integrating the interface, which was developed by the members of Lavery’s Legal Laboratory on Artificial Intelligence (L3AI) in association with IT engineers from the firm’s Intellectual Property team and the members of its IT group, signals Lavery’s desire to be a leader in the adoption of new technologies. In a rapidly evolving industry, Lavery is adopting this technology so its members can learn how to use it and eventually incorporate it into their professional practice. As adapted for Lavery, the tool offers a secure environment and will provide the firm’s members with a practical and powerful hands-on experience. Secure and evolving interface Developing a personalized interface and putting in place a strict framework for the internal use of generative AI means that this technology can be used securely and effectively within the firm while fostering the development of skills that users will need. The conditions of use that Lavery has laid out are not only simple and clear, but also rigorous. The firm’s members will be taking part in various training activities. Dedicated to the firm’s users, the application programming interface (API) logs requests submitted as well as the conversational agent’s responses. Over time, this data will be used to adjust the tool’s behaviour with a view to boosting security, accuracy and performance. “By developing our own platform, we will have access to a personalized product that is specifically designed to meet our needs and offers improved risk management and opportunities to perfect the interface,” said Benoit Yelle, Lavery partner and patent agent. Harnessing Lavery’s client service expertise “We would like to gain familiarity with conversational agents so we can better advise clients who wish to implement this type of business technology on the relevant issues, risks and benefits,” said Anik Trudel, Lavery’s Chief Executive Officer. “The firm’s decision to build its own interface while managing the risks associated with the use of generative AI is a prime example of one of our core values—entrepreneurship—and attests to the fact that our members put this value into practice in their day-to-day lives.” About Lavery Lavery is the leading independent law firm in Quebec. Its more than 200 professionals, based in Montréal, Quebec, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières, work every day to offer a full range of legal services to organizations doing business in Quebec. Recognized by the most prestigious legal directories, Lavery professionals are at the heart of what is happening in the business world and are actively involved in their communities. The firm’s expertise is frequently sought after by numerous national and international partners to provide support in cases under Quebec jurisdiction.