This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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Lavery/Léger Survey: Businesses Still Seeking Growth Opportunities but Feel Ill-Equipped in the Current Economic Context
A survey conducted by the law firm Lavery in collaboration with Léger reveals that more than half (58%) of Québec businesses have curbed their growth plans as a result of various financial issues and the labour shortage. The survey, intended to assess the priorities and growth perspectives of Québec businesses, nonetheless reveals that nearly half of organizations (44%) are still looking for opportunities to grow in the coming year. While 47% of businesses in the professional, scientific and technical services sector report slower progress in reaching their growth targets, they are still the ones that have fared the best in the face of monetary and labour shortage issues. In the construction sector, two thirds of businesses report a decelerating growth plan. The economic context has been transformed since the pandemic—conditions are constantly changing and capital costs have shot up as a result of rising interest rates. In a tightening market where mistakes are becoming increasingly costly, consulting experts for business guidance prior to making decisions is even more critical then ever to properly develop and structure business plans and ensure strategic growth. Businesses ill-equipped to meet challenges One out of four businesses reports having faced financial issues, namely increased operational costs, the fear of recession, the cost of financing or payment deadlines. Likewise, one out of four businesses reports major difficulties resulting from the labour shortage. However, the survey results show that nearly one third (31%) of respondents feel that they are poorly equipped to deal with the issue that is affecting them the most. The solutions contemplated to ensure growth include hiring employees (49%), making an acquisition (19%) and restructuring (16%). More than half of respondents have considered hiring a legal professional for operations like mergers or acquisitions (67%), takeovers or distribution of shares to key employees (55%) and layoffs (50%). To counter the labour shortage problem, the first thing businesses usually think of doing is stepping up recruitment efforts. However, over the past two years, organizations have increasingly been choosing to offer shares to key employees to attract, mobilize and retain their personnel. Implementing a digital shift to boost productivity is another popular measure. Experts—and in particular legal experts—have in-depth knowledge of market issues, transactions and growth opportunities, and businesses stand to benefit from consulting them more often for guidance in developing growth strategies before making decisions. Methodology The results were obtained through a online survey conducted by Léger from May 3 to 18, 2023, targeting a sample of 200 Quebec-based corporate decision-makers and influencers in one of the following sectors: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting / Mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction / Manufacturing / Finance and insurance / Information industry / Professional services / Corporate and business management / Real estate services / Public administration / Construction. Contact Jean-François Lemieux, jflemieux@lavery.ca, 514 877-3002
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Lavery helps Cultures Gen V become Quebec’s largest greenhouse grower
On July 4, 2023, Cultures Gen V, one of Quebec’s leading greenhouse growers, announced the acquisition of Serres Royales. The acquisition furthers Cultures Gen V’s business strategy, which aims to improve Quebec’s food self-sufficiency by expanding sustainable greenhouse growing and offering consumers a wider variety of superior quality products. This transaction makes Cultures Gen V the largest diversified greenhouse grower in Quebec, adding 9 hectares of tomatoes to its current acreage, for a total of 36 hectares. Lavery was privileged to represent Cultures Gen V in the transaction. Not only did the firm implement the group’s pre-transaction refinancing, it also negotiated and closed the transaction. The Lavery team was led by Étienne Brassard with the assistance of Gabrielle Ahélo and France Camille De Mers and the collaboration of Béatrice Bull, Pamela Cifola, Éric Gélinas, Jessica Parent, Chantal Desjardins, James Duffy, Valérie Belle-Isle, Sonia Guérin, Joseph Lauzon-Potts, Arielle Supino, Bernard Trang, Katerina Kostopoulos, Charlotte Dangoisse, David Tournier, Ana Cristina Nascimento, Joëlle Montpetit and Nadine Giguère.
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Lexpert Recognizes Three Partners as Leading Technology and Health Lawyers in Canada
On June 26, 2023, Lexpert recognized the expertise of three of our partners in its 2023 Lexpert Special Edition: Technology and Health. Chantal Desjardins, Selena Lu and André Vautour now rank among Canada’s leaders in the area of Technology and Health. Chantal Desjardins is a partner, lawyer and trade-mark agent in Lavery’s intellectual property group. She contributes actively to the development of her clients’ rights in this field, which includes the protection of trade-marks, industrial designs, copyright, trade secrets, domain names and other related forms of intellectual property, in order to promote her clients’ business goals. Selena Lu is a partner in the Business Law group and focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions. She frequently advises clients abroad on commercial law matters relating to investment and expansion in Canada. Over the years, Selena has developed an interest and acquired significant experience in supporting customers in their technological change. On a day-to-day basis, she advises clients on the legal impacts of the introduction of new technologies. Moreover, she oversees the development of the structure and negotiation of mergers and acquisitions along with complex business relationships for developing, marketing and acquiring technologies. André Vautour practices in the fields of corporate and commercial law and is particularly interested in corporate governance, strategic alliances, joint ventures, investment funds and mergers and acquisitions of private corporations. He practises in the field of technology law (drafting technology development and transfer agreements, licensing agreements, distribution agreements, outsourcing agreements, and e-commerce agreements).
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Death of J. Vincent O'Donnell, former partner and builder of Lavery
It is with deep regret that we learned of the death of our former partner and colleague, J. Vincent O’Donnell. Mr. O’Donnell joined the firm in 1957 and practiced law until his retirement in 2009. He quickly rose up the ranks to become one of Quebec’s foremost litigators. Over the course of a career spanning more than 50 years, he argued cases at all levels of court, including a dozen appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada. A number of the cases with which Mr. O’Donnell remained closely associated resulted in precedent-setting decisions in the areas of insurance, professional liability and class actions. Bâtonnier of the Bar of Montreal from 1984-1985, Mr. O’Donnell played an active role on various committees of the Barreau du Québec and the Canadian Bar Association throughout his career. His reputation also extended beyond Canada’s borders thanks to his membership in prestigious international associations such as the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the International Association of Defense Counsel. Mr. O'Donnell profoundly influenced several generations of legal practitioners, to whom he bequeathed his passion for the law and his professional rigour. Paying tribute to the entirety of his career, the English-speaking section of the Bar of Montreal presented him with its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. On behalf of the entire Lavery team, we extend our most sincere condolences to Mr. O’Donnell’s family and friends, as well as to all our colleagues who had the privilege of knowing him.
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Lexpert Recognizes Two Partners as Leading Infrastructures Lawyers in Canada
On May 23, 2023, Lexpert recognized the expertise of two of our partners in its 2023 Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure. Nicolas Gagnon and André Vautour now rank among Canada's leaders in the area of infrastructure law. Nicolas Gagnon specializes in construction law and surety law. He counsels public and private sector clients, professional services firms and contractors as well as surety companies at every stage of construction projects. He advises clients with respect to the public bidding and procurement process, and is involved in the drafting of contract documents and the management of the work and any claims resulting therefrom. André Vautour practices in the fields of corporate and commercial law and is particularly interested in corporate governance, strategic alliances, joint ventures, investment funds and mergers and acquisitions of private corporations. He also practises in the field of technology law (drafting technology development and transfer agreements, licensing agreements, distribution agreements, outsourcing agreements, and e-commerce agreements).
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Myriam Brixi named Quebec Litigator of the Year in the emerging talent category at the Benchmark Litigation Canada Awards 2023
Lavery is proud to announce that Myriam Brixi was named Quebec Litigator of the Year in the emerging talent category at the 12th annual Benchmark Litigation Canada Awards held in Toronto on May 10, 2023. This prestigious award is given to leading litigators involved in landmark litigation cases who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession by providing outstanding service to clients. Each year, the Benchmark Litigation team analyzes the most notable cases in the country over several months and conducts in-depth interviews with litigation lawyers and their clients to evaluate peer nominations and recognizes the work of outstanding lawyers. As a partner in the 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 Litigation Star awards she received earlier this year, as well as her nomination as one of the Top 100 Women in Canadian Litigation by Benchmark Litigation in 2022. Congratulations to Myriam for this distinction that is a testament to her talent and expertise. For more information, please go to: https://benchmarklitigation.com/NewsAndAnalysis/View-the-2023-Benchmark-Canada-Awards-shortlist/Index/8860
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