This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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Lavery welcomes a new associate
“What convinced me to join Lavery was, above all, the human approach and the importance given to mentoring young professionals. Working at Lavery allows me to evolve within a company that values excellence and innovation in the legal field, while encouraging the acquisition of new skills and the exchange of knowledge.” Francis is a member of our Business Law Group, practicing mainly in the areas of financing and real estate law. Francis Sabourin joined Lavery as a student in 2023 after completing his law degree at Université de Sherbrooke the same year.
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Lavery Acts as Quebec Counsel to Newmont Corporation in Major US$795 million Transaction
Lavery is pleased to advise Newmont Corporation in one of Canada's largest mining transactions, valued at US$795 million. Completion of this transaction is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. Our mining law team is acting as Quebec Legal counsel to Newmont Corporation in connection with the sale of the Éléonore gold mine, located in the Eeyou Istchee Baie-James territory region of northern Quebec, to Dhilmar, a private mining company based in the United Kingdom. This sale is part of Newmont Corporation's strategy to refocus its portfolio of mining assets.As part of the transaction, our team reviewed and analyzed all assets associated with the Éléonore gold mine. This included mining titles such as mining leases, as well as the transfer and evaluation of government and environmental permits, to ensure compliance with mining laws and regulations. The Lavery team was led by our Business Law partner, Sébastien Vézina, with support from Valérie Belle-Isle, Carole Gélinas, Éric Gélinas, Jean-Paul Timothée, William Bolduc, Joseph Gualdieri, Radia Amina Djouhaer, Charlotte Dangoisse, Salim Ben Abdessalem, Annie Groleau, Joëlle Montpetit and Nadine Giguère. About NewmontNewmont is the world's leading gold company and a producer of copper, zinc, lead, and silver. The corporation's world-class portfolio of assets, prospects and talent is anchored in favorable mining jurisdictions in Africa, Australia, Latin America & Caribbean, North America, and Papua New Guinea. Newmont is the only gold producer listed in the S&P 500 Index and is widely recognized for its principled environmental, social, and governance practices. Newmont is an industry leader in value creation, supported by robust safety standards, superior execution, and technical expertise. Founded in 1921, the Company has been publicly traded since 1925. About LaveryLavery 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 helps the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau adjust Canadian Grand Prix (F1) dates
Lavery was pleased to serve as legal counsel in a strategic initiative to revise the schedule of the Canadian Grand Prix. Under the new schedule, Canada’s most anticipated tourist event will be moved to the last two weekends of May starting in 2026, in order to meet various eco-responsibility objectives. Welcomed by key players in the tourism and events industry, the revised schedule will minimize the number of transatlantic flights required for F1 teams, thereby reducing the event’s carbon footprint. The initiative is part of a broader commitment to environmental and social responsibility, in line with Quebec’s efforts to promote sustainable tourism practices. In addition to bringing a boost to the local economy, the change in the Grand Prix’s dates will kick off the summer season earlier, enhancing Montréal’s and Quebec’s tourist appeal. Our team was actively involved throughout the review process, providing strategic advice and ensuring compliance with current regulations. The Lavery team was led by Sébastien Vézina, a partner in the firm’s Business Law group and the Head of the Sports and Entertainment Law team, with the support of Jean-Paul Timothée and Radia Amina Djouaher. Find out more here: 2026 Grand Prix: The funders are satisfied with the revised schedule Canadian Grand Prix to support F1 calendar rationalisation with scheduling change from 2026 | Formula 1® 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 advises the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau adjust Canadian Grand Prix (F1) dates
Lavery was pleased to serve as legal counsel in a strategic initiative to revise the schedule of the Canadian Grand Prix. Under the new schedule, Canada’s most anticipated tourist event will be moved to the last two weekends of May starting in 2026, in order to meet various eco-responsibility objectives. Welcomed by key players in the tourism and events industry, the revised schedule will minimize the number of transatlantic flights required for F1 teams, thereby reducing the event’s carbon footprint. The initiative is part of a broader commitment to environmental and social responsibility, in line with Quebec’s efforts to promote sustainable tourism practices. In addition to bringing a boost to the local economy, the change in the Grand Prix’s dates will kick off the summer season earlier, enhancing Montréal’s and Quebec’s tourist appeal. Our team was actively involved throughout the review process, providing strategic advice and ensuring compliance with current regulations. The Lavery team was led by Sébastien Vézina, a partner in the firm’s Business Law group and the Head of the Sports and Entertainment Law team, with the support of Jean-Paul Timothée and Radia Amina Djouaher. Find out more here: 2026 Grand Prix: The funders are satisfied with the revised schedule Canadian Grand Prix to support F1 calendar rationalisation with scheduling change from 2026 | Formula 1® 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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Laurence Bich-Carrière, a rising star in the Canadian legal profession
Lavery is proud to announce that on November 19, Laurence Bich-Carrière received the Rising Stars Leading Lawyers Under 40 award from Lexpert. This prestigious award honours lawyers under the age of 40 in Canada who distinguish themselves in the legal profession. The winners are selected by a jury of law firm managing partners and recognized corporate counsels, based on rigorously studied criteria like leadership, outstanding professional achievement and service to clients. As a litigation partner and a member of the Barreau du Québec and of the Law Society of Ontario, Laurence is an accomplished lawyer. Specializing in complex litigation, her expertise is especially valued in class actions and appeals. Her clients appreciate her efficiency, her stringent analyses and her ability to propose a range of solutions, often by thinking outside the box, to further her cases. Laurence is committed to her clients and her colleagues, and she is also a very active member of the legal community, proving her professional versatility. She is also involved with other legal institutions—she is a member of the civil procedure committee of the Barreau du Québec, a member of the executive committees of the Canadian Bar Association, Quebec Branch, including the Research and Knowledge Management section and the International section—and community organizations, such as the board of directors of the Fondation Claude Masse for the dissemination of consumer law knowledge. In addition to her solid practical experience, Laurence is also interested in research and training the next generation of lawyers. She is a sought-after speaker, the author of some forty publications, including several in scientific journals, she occasionally lectures and participates in the deliberation of various university research groups. Congratulations to Laurence on this well-earned recognition of her talent and expertise. For more information, read the article : 2024 Winners | Lexpert Rising Stars 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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La Presse’s Big Gamble Pays Off
Pierre-Elliott Levasseur will always remember a conversation he had in 2010 with Guy Crevier, Editor of La Presse, who was also its president at the time. “The first iPad had just come out. We were both looking at the tablet and, although we didn’t know exactly what to think, we knew we had to do something with this new tool,” says Pierre-Elliott Levasseur, who has been President of La Presse since 2016. The rest, as they say, is history. La Presse’s titanic digital transformation and overhaul of its business model became a case study that has been making headlines for almost 15 years. The last major milestone in this evolution was its change of business model in 2018, when La Presse decided to adopt a not-for-profit structure. This allowed it to diversify its revenue streams by obtaining donations and assistance from the federal and provincial governments, in addition to advertising revenue. Power Corporation would no longer own La Presse, abandoning the business model adopted by the media industry for the past century. This new model also enabled La Presse to become one of the first news media in the country to obtain Registered Journalism Organization (RJO) status. Thanks to this, La Presse can now issue tax receipts to its donors, thus diversifying its income and ensuring its long-term survival. All this was a big gamble in uncharted territory, but La Presse was no stranger to risk taking over the years. Why the change in structure? In a difficult economic climate for media companies, marked by declining ad revenues and fierce digital competition, La Presse has chosen to remain faithful to the principle of free access, which is deeply rooted in its mission. Quality information is a public good, and a public good must serve the entire population, for free. We had to find another business model to increase and diversify our revenue streams. If La Presse hadn’t transformed itself, it wouldn’t have survived. We had no choice but to take the risk. Pierre-Elliott LevasseurPrésident, La Presse Six years later, the gamble has paid off handsomely. Since the launch of the philanthropic model, over 75,000 people have donated to La Presse. La Presse is the largest independent French-language media in North America, with over 500 employees, including 220 in the newsroom. Every month, La Presse reaches 4 million readers, or 60% of Quebec’s adult population. “The quality of the product remained at the heart of all our decisions: we never compromised on that,” says Pierre-Elliott. Human challenges Getting there wasn’t easy. “The expression we used in 2018 when Power Corporation was no longer our owner was ‘we’re leaving the nest.’ We had to find a solution together, because otherwise we’d have gone bankrupt together.” The culture of change that La Presse had developed in previous years as part of its digital transformation was the first step towards success. “It wasn’t our first transformation. But it certainly required a lot of communication to reassure people and convince them that we were heading in the right direction.” Its excellent relationship with the unions was another success factor. “The unions supported us and always acted with us.” In addition to a $50 million contribution to fund the transition, Power Corporation retained responsibility for past retirement plan obligations, which cushioned the risk and reassured employees. Legal challenges On top of the human challenges, there were legal obstacles. In order to convert to a not-for-profit structure, La Presse had to obtain a legislative change from the elected members of the National Assembly. When Power Corporation acquired the newspaper in 1967, the Quebec government passed a law preventing the transfer of ownership to foreign interests. A unanimous vote was required to amend the law. “It was definitely a period of uncertainty. It was difficult to move forward operationally,” recalls Pierre-Elliott. In July 2018, the legislative change was approved, and La Presse became an independent, not-for-profit structure. A few months later, the philanthropic program was launched, and La Presse received its first donations from readers. At the end of 2020, the tax transformation was completed, with the Canada Revenue Agency granting La Presse its Registered Journalism Organization (RJO) status, enabling it to become a qualified donee and issue tax receipts for donations received. Committed donors In 2023, 56,000 donors contributed a total of $7.8 million to La Presse, an increase of 13% over 2022. “We started from zero and have now reached nearly $8 million in donations. This would not have been possible without our loyal donors,” says Pierre-Elliott. La Presse ended the 2023 fiscal year with a positive balance sheet and a $40 million reserve fund. “This fund is designed to ensure La Presse’s long-term future, allowing us to weather economic downturns or technological changes. The fund also allows us to reinvest in our mission and in journalism in Quebec.” Never stop innovating At the same time, La Presse has seen an increase in advertising revenue in a shrinking market. These results can be attributed, in part, to yearly innovations in its advertising product offerings. “Our advertising products are based on data and careful audience segmentation, in full compliance with the industry’s highest privacy standards. We listen to our customers and advertisers to understand their needs before making business decisions,” says Pierre-Elliott. In writing its content, La Presse works with tools used by the world’s leading media, including the BBC and The Guardian, to determine angles for its coverage based on readers’ main information needs: to be informed, but also to have context, to be guided in their lives, and to be inspired and entertained. La Presse’s journalistic mission is supported by a solid business team. For example, La Presse employs specialized technology and business intelligence teams. These two teams have nearly 100 employees working on innovative tools that help La Presse compete ethically and locally with some of the solutions offered by American digital giants. La Presse’s digital transformation and change in business model have been essential to its success. “Our commitment to digital transformation was total. We didn’t compromise.” Today, La Presse has a competitive and strategic advantage that’s hard to rival. This year marks La Presse’s 140th anniversary, while La Presse+ celebrates its 11th. Through many storms, independently and without commercial shareholders, La Presse continues to reinvent itself. Not only has its gamble paid off, but La Presse has also remained true to its mission of delivering quality journalism that’s free and accessible to everyone. And that’s something that will never change,” says Pierre-Elliott.
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Lavery recognized in Best Lawyer's new directory of Canada's best law firms for 2025
We are pleased to announce that Lavery has been recognized as one of the top law firms in the new edition of Best Law Firms - Canada published by Best Lawyers for 2025. Our firm was ranked in 16 practice areas nationally and 50 practice areas regionally. These recognitions are further demonstration of the expertise and quality of legal services that characterize Lavery's professionals. Firms on the 2025 Best Lawyers - Canada list are recognized for their professional excellence through evaluations by their clients and peers. Areas of expertise in which Lavery is recognized: Tier 1 Administrative and Public Law (National / Regional) Banking and Finance Law (Regional) Class Action Litigation (Regional) Commercial Leasing Law (Regional) Construction Law (Regional) Corporate and Commercial Litigation (Regional) Corporate Law (Regional) Family Law (National / Regional) Information Technology Law (Regional) Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law (Regional) Insurance Law (National / Regional) Intellectual Property Law (Regional) Labour and Employment Law (Regional) Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Regional) Mining Law (Regional) Natural Resources Law (Regional) Product Liability Law (Regional) Securities Law (Regional) Trusts and Estates (Regional) Workers' Compensation Law (Regional) Tier 2 Administrative and Public Law (Regional) Advertising and Marketing Law (Regional) Alternative Dispute Resolution (Regional) Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice (Regional) Class Action Litigation (National) Corporate Governance Practice (Regional) Corporate Law (National / Regional) Director and Officer Liability Practice (Regional) Energy Law (Regional) Environmental Law (Regional) Family Law (Regional) Health Care Law (Regional) Insurance Law (Regional) Intellectual Property Law (National) Labour and Employment Law (National) Professional Malpractice Law (Regional) Real Estate Law (Regional) Tax Law (Regional) Trusts and Estates (National) Tier 3 Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice (Regional) Alternative Dispute Resolution (Regional) Banking and Finance Law (National) Construction Law (National) Corporate and Commercial Litigation (National) Defamation and Media Law (Regional) Employee Benefits Law (Regional) Equipment Finance Law (Regional) Family Law Mediation (Regional) Health Care Law (Regional) Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law (National) Mergers and Acquisitions Law (National) Mining Law (National) Privacy and Data Security Law (Regional) Private Funds Law (Regional) Professional Malpractice Law (Regional) Project Finance Law (Regional) Securities Law (National) Workers' Compensation Law (National) 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. About Best Lawyers Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected lawyer ranking service in the world. For almost 40 years, Best Lawyers has assisted those in need of legal services to identify the lawyers best qualified to represent them in distant jurisdictions or specialized areas. Best Lawyers lists are published in leading local, regional, and national publications across the globe.
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Two new members join Lavery’s ranks
Lavery is pleased to announce that two recently sworn-in lawyers are joining Lavery following the completion of their articling within the firm. Éloïse Fortin Éloïse joins our Family, Personal and Estate Law group. She focuses her practice on family law, handling divorce, separation, division of property, parenting time, and child and spousal support cases. “What inspires me about Lavery is their ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation. The firm’s vision combines legal know-how with a deep understanding of client needs to create the perfect environment for collaboration and growth. I feel privileged to be part of this exceptional team. It motivates me to provide high-quality services with a human touch.” El Hadji Alioune Seck Alioune joins our Litigation and Dispute Resolution group. Since joining the firm as a student, Alioune has been involved in major civil, constitutional and administrative cases before various jurisdictions, including the Federal Court and the Court of Appeal of Quebec. “When you join the Lavery team, it doesn’t take long to realize that you are part of an incredible talent incubator where you can develop your full potential. Your colleagues will give you a leg up right from the start and won’t hesitate for a second to entrust you with major responsibilities once you’ve proven yourself. As a lawyer, you couldn’t ask for a better environment to grow your practice and steadily build your professional reputation.”
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Lexpert Recognizes Four Partners as Leading Insolvency and Restructuring Lawyers in Canada
On October 15, 2024, Lexpert recognized the expertise of four of our partners in its 2024 Lexpert Special Edition: Insolvency and Restructuring. Marc-André Landry, Jean Legault, Ouassim Tadlaoui and Yanick Vlasak now rank among Canada’s leaders in the area of Insolvency and Restructuring. Marc-André Landry is a partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution group and focuses his practice on commercial litigation. He frequently assists his clients in resolving their disputes through negotiation, mediation or arbitration, or before the various courts of law. Over the years, he has represented businesses in many sectors, including construction, real estate, renewable energy, conventional energy, new technologies, financial services and pharmaceuticals. Jean Legault is a partner in the Litigation group in the commercial litigation, banking, and insolvency sector. With more than 20 years’ experience in commercial litigation, he specializes in banking law and insolvency. He primarily advises financial institutions, institutional investors as well as trustees in bankruptcy in restructuring and insolvency cases. Ouassim Tadlaoui is a partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution group. He focuses his practice on banking litigation, restructuring, bankruptcy, insolvency and construction surety bonds. He represents chartered banks and other financial institutions and alternative lenders as creditors, as well as certain debtors, in bankruptcy or restructuring mandates. He also represents and advises surety companies as well as national and international companies in matters of insolvency, bankruptcy and restructuring in the construction industry. Yanick Vlasak is a partner and a member of Lavery’s Business law group and its specialized Restructuring, insolvency, and banking law group. His practice is focused on commercial litigation, financing, banking law, insolvency, and financial restructuring. He also has expertise in construction law, shareholder disputes and arrangements, and asset protection measures. 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 welcomes a new partner to the Labour and Employment Law group
Lavery is pleased to welcome Marc Ouellet as a partner to our Labour and Employment Law group. Mr. Ouellet has over twenty years of experience in all aspects of labour and employment law, particularly in the areas of labour standards, human rights, duty of loyalty, and restrictive employment clauses. Throughout his career, he has gained experience working for both private companies and law firms and has advised numerous clients in disputes involving termination of employment, in addition to assisting with collective and individual negotiations. "Marc has built solid expertise across a wide range of industries, from transportation to financial institutions. He enjoys offering actionable insights grounded in his clients' business realities and has a strong ability to understand and address their operational concerns. He will support our Labour and Employment Law team serving our Quebec clients and foreign companies doing business in Quebec," said Benoit Brouillette, Head of Practice for the Labour and Employment Law group. "I am thrilled to be joining Lavery, a reputable firm that has established a strong track record of excellence in both Quebec and Canada. The firm's Labour and Employment Law team has demonstrated not only great depth, but great synergy as well. I look forward to leveraging my skills and expertise to support Lavery's clients," said Marc Ouellet. 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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André Vautour Appointed Chair of World Services Group (WSG)
Lavery is pleased to announce that its partner André Vautour has been named Chair of World Services Group (WSG) for 2024–2025. World Services Group is the most prominent global network of independent law firms that provides an exclusive setting and platform to connect its members to other legal firms among the most elite firms and their multinational clients worldwide. Additionally, WSG provides cross industry access to a select few investment banking and accounting firms creating more expansive opportunities to service clients. This appointment reflects Lavery's commitment to providing its clients with access to the top-tier legal services offered by WSG members in over 150 countries and territories. André Vautour's appointment is also a sign of the firm's ambition to be the gold-standard in Quebec and to continue collaborating with international law firms on cases involving the province. "As the only Quebec law firm within WSG, I recognize how important access to such a global network is for our clients. Since we're an independent firm, we have the flexibility to direct our clients to the lawyers possessing the best legal expertise in foreign jurisdictions. The represents a major competitive advantage, as this expertise drives from these lawyers' deep knowledge of the business realities in their respective jurisdiction. The WSG network not only supports Lavery's strategic objectives but creates new opportunities and offers a value-added service for our clients," says André Vautour. In his one-year term in this new role, André will work with WSG board members and management on several priority areas, with the goal of increasing the participation and commitment of WSG member firms to WSG's activities.