This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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Lavery supports the growth of 01 Studio Inc.
On October 30, 2020, 01 Studio Inc., an enterprising, indie gaming studio, confirmed the closing of a financing with Skymoons Technology Inc., the video game division of Chinese multimedia giant iQIYI, to accelerate its growth and the development of its flagship game, Citywars Savage. In addition to the financing, the parties have agreed on the distribution of Citywars Savage in China and neighboring countries. A Lavery team composed of Jean-François Maurice, Étienne Brassard, Sébastien Vézina, Éric Lavallée, Florence Fournier and Stéphanie Dubois played a significant role in representing the interests of 01 Studio Inc. throughout the transaction, from negotiating the term sheet to the closing the transaction.
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André Vautour named Lawyer of the Year in Technology Law by The Best Lawyers in Canada 2021
Lavery is pleased to announce that André Vautour’s expertise in Technology Law was recognized with the Lawyer of the Year award as part of The Best Lawyers in Canada 2021. 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 serves as honorary consul of Denmark in Montreal and was Chair of Lavery’s Board of Directors from 2012 to 2016. Mr. Vautour specializes in Technology Law, drafting technology development and transfer agreements, licensing agreements, distribution agreements, outsourcing agreements and e-commerce agreements. He has had the opportunity to work regularly with companies in the financial, printing, pharmaceutical, railway, computer and energy sectors. Learn more about our 64 talents recognized as leaders by The Best Lawyers in Canada 2021.
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Sports law: Sébastien Vézina and Sonia Rasquinha negotiate a partnership with Top Rank on behalf of Groupe Yvon Michel
A rematch between ex-champion Sergey Kovalev and Colombian-born Montrealer Eleider Alvarez will take place on February 2, 2019. This will be the first fight following a series of agreements entered into in December 2018 between Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and Top Rank to co-promote WBO light heavyweight world titleholder Eleider “Storm” Alvarez. These multi-year co-promotional agreements will cover multiple fights. Our client, GYM, is one of the most respected organizations in Canada for organizing international boxing events and managing high-level boxers. Throughout its history, GYM has promoted champions who won world titles, including Joachim Alcine and Jean Pascal. Top Rank is a well-known boxing promotions company affiliated with the American sports television channel ESPN. Top Rank has promoted many world-class fighters, including Muhammad Ali and Oscar De La Hoya. Sébastien Vézina, a partner in the Business Law group, handled negotiations to reach the agreements, with the support of Sonia Rasquinha, a lawyer in the same group. Sébastien Vézina frequently provides businesses in the sports industry with advice on anything related to the business and legal aspects of their activities.
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A 360-degree offering for innovative businesses: Goudreau Gage Dubuc, one of the leading intellectual property firms in Canada, joins Lavery Lawyers
Lavery Lawyers and Goudreau Gage Dubuc (GGD) are integrating their operations in order to offer their clients a complete range of legal services. The two firms will combine their teams, all of whom are recognized experts in their fields. To learn more, visit www.YourIPLawyers.ca. The GGD team with over 40 members, including 16 professionals, will join Lavery Lawyers September 4 th. A combination that consolidates the services offered by Lavery to companies operating in the knowledge and innovation industries “This business decision was made in the context of expanding issues relating to the digital revolution, the knowledge economy, and innovation, all of which are key factors in the economic prosperity of Canadian and foreign companies with operations in Canada. Protecting intellectual property, may it be through patents and trademarks, industrial designs and copyright, is central to the promising business strategies adopted by innovative industries and companies,” said Anik Trudel, Lavery’s Chief Executive Officer. The integration consolidates Lavery’s multidisciplinary approach. As the largest independent law firm in Quebec, Lavery is continuing to grow by adding the expertise brought by lawyers, patent agents and trademark agents specializing in intellectual property law, who belong to one of the most respected teams in the country. GGD ranks among the firms that file the most patent and trademark applications in Canada and its clients operate in over 100 countries. The firm serves numerous industries, including aerospace, new materials, energy storage, biotechnology, biochemistry, pharmaceuticals, computer science, and telecommunications. “Companies recognize that innovation is an important driver of growth, which must be properly managed, particularly when it comes to intellectual property and especially trade and industrial secrets, and cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence. The issues are increasingly complex and our clients count on us,” added Alain Leclerc, senior partner at Goudreau Gage Dubuc. “Our clients will now have access to services provided by a single integrated, well-respected team that brings 360-degree legal solutions tailored to their concerns allowing them to grow their businesses on a solid foundation.” Deep common roots in a culture of excellence and recognized depth of expertise The culture of excellence, depth of expertise, and distinctive approach to client service that characterize both firms ensure that GGD’s professionals will generate impressive synergy in the Lavery team. “Our decision to join forces with Lavery is based on the firm’s excellent reputation and its business vision and on our cultural compatibility and complementary expertise. This is the key to the success that will benefit our broad spectrum of clients who need complete and pragmatic solutions to the challenges they face,” said Chantal Desjardins, senior partner at Goudreau Gage Dubuc. A transaction in synch with Lavery’s business vision “This combination consolidates the status of the firm as a leader in the legal industry in Quebec, while at the same time raising its profile abroad. The transaction aligns with our business vision: to be a leader in the transformation of legal services in Quebec. Integrating our firms will benefit our clients tremendously, our goal always being to ensure that our services respond to their business reality and to offer them a memorable service experience,” Anik Trudel concluded.
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Chloé Fauchon and Sylvain Pierrard deliver a seminar on copyright
On November 21, Chloé Fauchon, an associate of the Public and Administrative Law group, and Sylvain Pierrard, an associate of the Business Law group, delivered a seminar on copyright to professionals working in the film and television industry. Organized by the Table de concertation de l’industrie du cinéma et de la télévision de la Capitale-Nationale, the seminar was held at Le Camp in Québec City. Ms. Fauchon and Mr. Pierrard introduced participants to the different intellectual property rights, the exceptions to copyright protection of a work, copyright ownership, copyright assignment and the moral rights in the works.
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Lavery represents Aspen Skiing Company and KSL Capital Partners in a US$1.5 billion acquisition
As legal advisors for the Quebec portion of the transaction, Lavery represented the affiliates of Aspen Skiing Company, LLC and KSL Capital Partners, LLC during the acquisition of Intrawest Resorts Holdings, Inc., a ski resort operator and adventure company in North America that owns Mont Tremblant Resort in Quebec. The transaction closed on July 31, 2017, for an approximate aggregate value of US$1.5 billion and created a new entity with a property portfolio of 12 four-season mountain resorts, 20,000 skiable acres, significant land available for real estate development, and Canadian Mountain Holidays, a leading heli-ski operator. The Lavery team was headed by Sébastien Vézina and François Arseneault (Corporate) and included Carole Gélinas and Mathieu Cantin (Real Estate), Audrey-Julie Dallaire and Daniel Bouchard (Environment), Zeïneb Mellouli (Labour), Eric Lavallée (Intellectual Property) and Maxime Rousseau-Turenne and Luc Thibaudeau (Litigation).
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A hat trick for Sébastien Vézina, appointed independent arbitrator for the QMJHL
On August 25, Sébastien Vézina, a partner of the Business Law group, was selected for the third consecutive year to sit as an independent arbitrator for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), one of the three major junior leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). The three QMJHL independent arbitrators sit on a rotating basis and review official decisions of the QMJHL, the Commissioner, or the Board of Governors, that may be appealed. This appointment contributes to the sound governance and integrity of the league by having an independent party intervene in decisions subject to an appeal. Only individuals with the recognized expertise and reputation in sports and governance are invited to take on this role.