All of Lavery’s partners, associates, and staff wish to honour the memory of Mr. Jacques de Billy, one of our firm’s original driving forces, who passed away on July 14, 2014.
A man of great learning and an outstanding litigator, he achieved complete mastery of case law and the subtleties of his profession. His strong commitment to the fields of law and business, as well as his contributions to the legal community and the economic life of Quebec and Canada, was exemplary.
Called to the Bar in 1938, Mr. de Billy joined Gagnon, de Billy et associés in Québec that same year. Soon afterward, he studied common law at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. During the Second World War, he volunteered to serve with the Canadian army, where he was promoted to the rank of captain and forged ties with other officers from Toronto. Years later, he was made honorary Colonel of the 6th field artillery regiment.
Mr. de Billy returned to his law practice in summer 1945. Under his leadership, the firm grew dramatically, primarily in the field of civil liability in relation to insurance. He was the firm’s guiding spirit until his retirement about twenty years ago.
A recognized expert in insurance law, he also placed his skills at the service of the business community by serving on various boards of directors.
We will remember Mr. Jacques de Billy as a warm-hearted, cultured man and a versatile, high-calibre lawyer.
On behalf of the entire team at Lavery, we wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.