This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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Labour law specialists at Lavery give client seminar
On June 9, 2009, a luncheon was given to the clients of the firm's Labour and Employment Law Group. The three speakers, Nicolas Joubert, Guy Lavoie and Guy Lemay, updated key subjects in labour and employment, such as the conditions under which benefits can be reduced in the context of a recession, the financial consequences of an employer's mischaracterization of a self-employed worker, the issues surrounding the use of blogs and other Internet sites by employees, and class action suits in employment law.
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Denis Michaud to speak on the local and governmental liabilities
On June 4, 2009, on the occasion of an event organized by The Canadian Institute entitled « Responsabilité municipale et gouvernementale », Mr. Denis Michaud, a partner at Lavery and an expert in municipal legal matters, will be giving a lecture bearing the title « Surmontez les défis posés par la responsabilité municipale en matière de sécurité incendie : responsabilité, moyens de défense et immunités ». This program is specifically designed for legal advisors, lawyers, legal clerks and other professionals who either work directly or indirectly with municipalities and governmental bodies.
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Lavery partners with Alexandre Despatie
Montreal, June 1, 2009 – Lavery, Quebec’s largest independent law firm, has concluded a long-term sponsorship arrangement with Quebec diver Alexandre Despatie, three-time world champion and two-time Olympic diving medalist. Alexandre Despatie won two gold medals at the 2005 FINA World Championships in Montreal, a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and another silver medal at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. He is the first diver ever to hold the title of world champion in three diving events, and is aiming for nothing less than the gold medal at the London Olympic Games in 2012. "Alexandre is a dynamic and determined young athlete who is open to the world. He is a champion - capable of overcoming obstacles, respectful of his competitors, and always delivering a remarkable performance. He has set high goals for himself in the coming years, and we are pleased to be able to help him in achieving these goals through this sponsorship," said Richard Dolan, Lavery’s managing partner. "Our athletes need our support, not only during but before the Olympic Games as well, in order to continue to make us proud of their achievements." In the coming years, Alexandre Despatie will participate in various firm activities, and act as ambassador for the values he shares with all members of the Lavery team.
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Evelyne Verrier to speak at the Annual Convention of the Quebec Bar
On May 29, 2009, on the occasion of the Annual Convention of the Quebec Bar, Evelyne Verrier, a partner at Lavery, will speak on aspects of professional practice at the Sheraton Montreal Hotel.This workshop, which is designed for lawyers working as in-house counsel, will focus on the documentation handled by in-house counsel, and on managing litigation, litigation costs as well as writing skills.
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Firm victory in the Court of Appeal
On May 14, 2009, the Court of Appeal rendered judgment in the case of Kingsway General Insurance Co. v. Duvernay Plomberie et Chauffage inc.2, which was pleaded by Marie-Claude Cantin with the assistance of Odette Jobin-Laberge, Ad.E.This is a significant judgment on civil procedure (article 216 of the Code of Civil Procedure) which brings to a close a series of sometimes conflicting judgments on an important issue.The Court of Appeal allowed the insurer, who denied coverage of a claim by an insured under a property insurance policy, to implead or call into warranty the third party that it alleged was responsible for the dispute.In this case involving a claim for water damage, Kingsway denied coverage of its insured for several reasons, in particular, due to the exaggerated claim and false statements made by it. However, Kingsway sought to implead the plumber, Duvernay, which the Court of Appeal allowed, on the basis that the plumber had allegedly caused the loss which gave rise to the claim by its insured, so that it could be found liable for the loss.Lavery represented Kingsway.______________________________________2 2009 QCCA 926, Justices Gendreau, Morissette and Bich
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Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust completes a $57.5 million public offering of 4,792,050 units
On April 21, 2009, Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust (“Cominar”), one of the largest commercial property owners and managers in the Province of Québec with a real estate portfolio of 215 high quality properties, completed a public offering of 4,792,050 units, after full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in respect thereof.The offering was completed on a bought deal basis through a syndicate of underwriters co-led by National Bank Financial Inc. and BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., and included RBC Dominion Securities Inc., Desjardins Securities Inc., CIBC World Markets Inc., Scotia Capital Inc., Canaccord Capital Corporation, Blackmont Capital Inc. and Genuity Capital Markets G.P., for total net proceeds to Cominar of approximately $54.9 million, after deducting the underwriters’ fee and the estimated expenses of the offering.The underwriters were represented by Lavery, de Billy, L.L.P., with a team that comprised Marc Rochefort, Michel Servant and Guillaume Lavoie (corporate finance and securities) and Philip Nolan (tax).
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Luc Pariseau will speak at the Association de planification fiscale et financière conference
The Association de planification fiscale et financière (the fiscal and financial planning association) has organized a conference called "ACHAT/VENTE ET FUSION D’ENTREPRISE - Mise à jour technique et considerations pratiques (Buying/selling and corporate mergers - technical update and practical considerations)" to be held at the Montreal Bonaventure Hilton on May 14, 2009.Luc Pariseau, a partner with Lavery in the Business Law Group who specializes in tax law, will offer an analysis of key legal decisions handed down recently and will comment on the impact they have on corporate restructurings that usually accompany the acquisition or sale of a company.
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Ann Bigué, a Lavery partner specializing in aboriginal law, will be delivering a lecture at the request of the Management and Economics Society of The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum
At the request of the Management and Economics Society of The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, Ann Bigué will be delivering a lecture on May 13th, 2009 in Toronto. This talk is featured as part of the CIM’s Mining Finance and Management Day. Ms. Bigué will address community relationships and issues in a presentation entitled “Aboriginal and Other Local Communities as Partners”.
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Lavery Assists ING Locally in Selling Quebec Retail Portfolio to RioCan
On March 12, 2009, a fund managed by ING Real Estate Canada completed the sale of a portfolio of six grocery-anchored retail properties located in the greater Montreal area to RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust. Four of the properties were acquired by RioCan on a 50-50 basis with a private investor. The buyer group completed the acquisition with financing from First National Financial Corporation on two of the properties that were jointly acquired.Richard Burgos, a Lavery partner, assisted ING in Quebec.
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Ian Rose to moderate international panel of experts discussing the legal and insurance issues arising from the global credit crisis
The Canadian Chapter of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) is organizing its 2009 Seminar to be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, in Montreal. Ian Rose, a Lavery partner and member of the organizing committee, will moderate a panel discussion by a group of experts including Hugues Lacroix, of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Montreal; Kevin LaCroix, of OakBridge Insurance Services, Minneapolis; Dr. Faten Sabry, of NERA Economic Consulting, New York; and David B. Williams, of Chubb Insurance Company of Canada, Toronto. The subject of the discussion will be The Global Credit Crisis: Where we are, where we’re going; D&O, E&O and other liabilities.
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Marie-Claude Perreault gives seminar on “New proven strategies to reduce legal liability in the workplace”
Marie-Claude Perreault, a Lavery partner, will chair the Advanced Conference on Labour and Employment Law – “Nouvelles stratégies éprouvées pour réduire la responsabilité légale en milieu de travail” (New proven strategies to reduce legal liability in the workplace) organized by The Canadian Institute, which will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 28 and 29, 2009 in Montreal. Ms. Perreault will deliver the opening address and make a presentation concerning increased occupational health and safety liability.
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Lavery Assists RioCan REIT in Quebec
On April 3, 2009, RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust ("RioCan") completed a $180 million offering of 8.33% Series L, senior unsecured debentures due on April 3, 2014. The offering was completed under RioCan’s shelf prospectus dated June 13, 2008 and underwritten by a syndicate of underwriters led by RBC Dominion Securities Inc. and including BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., Scotia Capital Inc. and TD Securities Inc. Michèle Gamache of Lavery assisted RioCan in Quebec. RioCan is Canada's largest real estate investment trust that owns and manages Canada’s largest portfolio of shopping centres with ownership interests in a portfolio of 247 retail properties.