This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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Lavery hires six new legal professionals
Lavery is pleased to announce that six recently sworn-in lawyers are joining Lavery following the completion of their articling within the firm. Montreal office : Alexandra Yazbeck Alexandra is a member of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group. She practises primarily in civil and commercial litigation. “Joining Lavery is an opportunity to start my career as part of a passionate and supportive team, while fostering my professional growth. During my summers as a student and throughout my internship, I had the pleasure of working alongside professionals committed to youth development. I am very much looking forward to this next step.” Yasmine Belrachid Yasmine is a member of the Business Law group and practises mainly in the fields of securities and infrastructure financing. “I came to Lavery to be an integral part of a team dedicated to supporting and guiding young lawyers as they launch their legal careers. Since then, I have not only had meaningful learning opportunities but have also had the privilege of connecting with passionate professionals who drive Lavery’s innovative vision. This is why I am truly excited about the opportunity to join this exceptional team as a lawyer.” Maxym Bédard Maxym is a member of the Litigation and Conflict Resolution group and practises primarily in civil and commercial litigation. “At Lavery, what motivates me most on a daily basis is the culture of collaboration and mutual support. I’m looking forward to joining a team that encourages me to take initiative as a young lawyer and is committed to my professional development. Working alongside dedicated professionals on challenging cases is exactly what drew me to Lavery from the start!” Sherbrooke office: Iulia Bostinaru Iulia is a member of our Business Law group, focusing her practice on mergers and acquisitions, and commercial litigation. “Joining the Lavery team is an exceptional opportunity for me to begin my career in an environment that values collegiality, collaboration and excellence. What convinced me was the firm’s ongoing commitment to creating a work environment where every member feels supported and encouraged to reach their full potential. I feel honoured to work alongside dedicated and passionate professionals, whose daily commitment to excellence and collaboration is unwavering. This unique dynamic not only helps me move forward in my career but also allows me to contribute positively to our legal community by sharing and deepening my knowledge in a stimulating and supportive environment.” Charlaine Cowan Charlaine is a lawyer in the firm's Litigation group. She primarily practises in civil litigation, including civil and hospital liability. “Working at Lavery offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with experienced professionals in a variety of areas of practice. It is a privilege to be part of a team that not only strives for excellence every day but also stands out for its supportive and collaborative spirit.” Quebec City office: Emma Doyon Emma is a member of the Administrative Law team and focuses her practice on municipal law and environmental law. “Continuing my career at Lavery after my articling was an obvious decision. I have the opportunity to learn from exceptional lawyers with whom I have established connections over the past few months. This team stands out for its mutual support and encouragement towards excellence, while training young professionals to become remarkable jurists.”
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Lavery and its Intellectual Property group recognized in the 2025 edition of the WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals
We are pleased to announce that Lavery has been ranked in the 2025 edition of the WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals. Four of our members have also been recognized as leaders in their respective areas of practice. Geneviève Bergeron Partner | Lawyer - Trademark Agent Geneviève’s practice focuses on all aspects of trademarks, intellectual property transactions, copyright and domain names. Her trademark expertise also includes litigation, such as opposition and cancellation proceedings, formal notices and the negotiation of coexistence and settlement agreements, as well as the drafting, negotiation and review of commercial contracts, such as licence and assignment agreements. Chantal Desjardins - Partner | Lawyer - Trademark Agent Chantal actively assists her clients in establishing their rights in the field of intellectual property, which includes the protection and defence of trademarks, industrial designs, copyright, domain names, trade secrets and other related forms of intellectual property, in order to further their business objectives. Isabelle Jomphe - Partner | Lawyer - Trademark Agent Isabelle’s expertise includes trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights, trade secrets and technology transfers, as well as advertising law and matters related to labelling and the Charter of the French Language. Suzanne Antal - Senior Trademark Agent Suzanne focuses her practice on all aspects of trademark registration, including drafting and filing trademark applications and representing clients in trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings, both nationally and internationally. The WTR 1000 is a guide that identifies the top trademark professionals and law firms around the globe. The lawyers and law firms featured in this guide are selected further to a rigorous process involving research and interviews with practitioners, clients and in-house counsel.
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Lavery appoints four new partners
Lavery is pleased to welcome the following professionals as partners in the firm. Karl Chabot Karl Chabot focuses his practice on civil and commercial counselling, law and litigation, and health and social services law. He works in many different areas, catering to a wide range of clients, from individuals to SMEs, large corporations and government agencies, and is involved in all stages of various matters. Victoria Cohene Victoria Cohene is a member of the firm's Litigation group, specifically in Family Law, Personal Law and Estate Law. Her practice covers all matters relating to family, personal and estate law, in particular divorce, legal separation, separation of de facto couples, child custody, child and spousal support, partition of property, name changes, grandparents' rights of access to their grandchildren, institution of protective supervision, homologation of mandates and estate litigation. Despina Mandilaras Despina Mandilaras is a member of the Commercial Litigation group and practises primarily in the areas of construction, surety bonds, contract disputes, shareholder disputes and Aboriginal law. As such, she represents clients from the public and private sectors before all levels of the courts, including arbitration tribunals. Jessica Parent Jessica Parent is a member of Lavery’s Labour and Employment group. As part of her practice, she is called upon to deal with a wide variety of issues, including hiring and employment termination, labour standards, human rights and freedoms, collective agreement decrees, disciplinary measures and the interpretation and application of employment contracts and collective agreements. This cohort of new partners plays a crucial role in the growth of the firm and our desire to be a growth partner for companies doing business in Quebec. They successfully embody Lavery’s culture and values: Excellence, Collaboration, Audacity and Entrepreneurship. Congratulations to our new partners!
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Lavery welcomes a new partner to its Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group
We are pleased to welcome Hugo Champoux as a partner in its Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group, based at the Sherbrooke office. With over twenty years' experience, he focuses his practice on civil and commercial litigation, regularly intervening in cases involving construction law, business law and shareholder disputes. He assists, advises and represents a diverse clientele of organizations and public institutions, businesses of all sizes and individuals, regularly pleading before the Court of Québec, the Superior Court and the Court of Appeal. "I could not pass up the opportunity to join Lavery: it is an opportunity to join not only a team of professionals who are leaders in their respective fields, but also an exciting network founded on the values of diligence, collaboration and innovation. It is an environment where I am convinced, I will be able to meet all my clients' needs even more effectively." said Hugo Champoux. About LaveryLavery 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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Medifice: Secrets of a Smooth Transition Across Generations
Marcel Landry founded Medifice in 1976 and had been running and growing the business for over four decades. In recent years, however, he began looking at succession planning. His company, which specializes in building and managing healthcare facilities, had experienced robust growth since its inception and was now recognized for its active role in developing advanced healthcare infrastructure across the province. In the summer of 2017, Landry decided it was time to seize market opportunities and slow down a bit, so he started putting his plans in motion. That’s when he approached the three young candidates he had in mind to take over, and told them: “I think I’m ready to sell you my business.” Although the three of them barely knew each other, they were drawn together by similar ambitions. “We weren’t friends teaming up to start a business. Our lives ran in parallel, but we all knew Marcel. That’s the one thing we had in common,” says Maxime Di Patria, one of the three buyers, currently Partner and CFO of Medifice. Jean-Simon Masse came from the construction industry, where he had started out as a construction worker before moving to administration. He had been working with Landry for several years. Frédérick Gariépy had worked in real estate for over 10 years and brought both “boots on the ground” know-how and actual entrepreneurial experience to the table. Maxime Di Patria, who had previously worked for larger organizations, rounded out the trio, providing financial and investment expertise. “The great thing about Marcel is that he’s always been there for young people, helping them grow and supporting them as they went into business. Everything he’s done in life has always revolved around that. He said to himself: Maxime will manage finance and operations, Jean-Simon will oversee the construction side of things, and Frédérick will handle development. Together, they will help Medifice grow, and I’ll be able to retire quietly when the time comes,” says Frédérick Gariépy, Partner and Vice-President, Development. There was another challenge, however. All three potential buyers had to agree for the deal to go ahead. “We each wanted it to happen. The idea was to see if we were all on the same page. If there had been only two of us, the dynamic wouldn’t have been the same. We didn’t discuss details and percentages. Instead, we looked at things like: What do we want to do in life? What are our values? Do we want to make a profit and sell in five years, or do we want to own a business for the next 30 years?” says Jean-Simon Masse, Partner and Vice-President, Construction. “We all had different goals, but we soon realized that we each wanted to work on meaningful projects that would change communities for the better. We each wanted to create buildings that would help provide better services to the public—buildings that we could show our children 10 years from now, saying: ‘I built that,’” adds Di Patria. A few months later, the deal was done and Medifice welcomed three new partners: Jean-Simon Masse became Partner and Vice-President, Construction; Frédérick Gariépy, Partner and Vice-President, Development; and Maxime Di Patria, Partner and Chief Financial Officer. A new entity was created to oversee the construction, development and management of new projects. Landry stayed on as CEO and retained a 50% stake in the company, while the remaining 50% was distributed among the three new shareholders. It was a winning formula that enabled Medifice to grow exponentially. Within seven years of the three new partners joining, the team had expanded to five times its original size, while sales revenue had increased tenfold. “Today, we’re running Medifice together, and I’m proud to see how our partnership has strengthened our position in the market. The decision has enabled Medifice to expand considerably and do more to provide more services to Quebecers,” says Marcel Landry, founder of Medifice. Each year, over 600,000 people walk through the doors of Medifice buildings to receive the services they need. A visionary founder and a strong new leadership team Medifice owes its success to its visionary founder and the structured approach taken by its carefully chosen, balanced leadership team. With a rapidly aging population and a growing number of baby boomers looking to retire, businesses have been hitting the market at a steady clip. In Quebec, 9% of SME owners are planning to sell or transfer their businesses, according to a study conducted in early 2024 by the Centre de transfert d’entreprise du Québec. Most entrepreneurs, however, have no succession plans or prospective buyers lined up, and that could jeopardize both the long-term viability of their businesses and economic growth in Quebec. Medifice took a proactive and strategic approach to succession planning—unlike many companies that see it as a low priority and sometimes keep postponing it, potentially running into serious obstacles down the road. Landry’s decision to bring new partners on board was the result of careful consideration. By 2014, with Medifice gaining momentum and projects becoming increasingly complex, Landry realized he needed support. Faced with the choice of selling his business to a Canadian-owned company or trying to build a new leadership team, Landry opted for the latter. He took the path that required more effort, but that choice would really pay off in the long run. “I’ve always been deeply invested in the future of Medifice. That’s why I decided to bring in three young professionals I had connected with throughout my career. Selling my business was never an option. I’ve always believed in supporting up-and-coming talent, so I gave those young people the opportunity to lead and grow the business.” Marcel LandryFounder, Medifice “Marcel found us, recognized our strengths and saw how well we complemented one other, so he passed the company on to us under very favourable terms that no other offer could have matched. It’s his vision that brought us to where we are today,” says Di Patria. “In the early days, we would handle every possible aspect of the business down to the smallest detail as best we could,” says Di Patria. “But we knew our role was to set up procedures, really making sure the business moved toward greater professionalism, with faster, more structured growth.” In 2019, the new leadership team bought half of the remaining shares held by Landry, and the four became equal partners. From left to right: Maxime Di Patria, Jean-Simon Masse, Frédérick Gariépy and Marcel Landry. Managing emotions and finding the right people As with any change of ownership process, the transition at Medifice came with its own set of challenges. The first challenge, following the 2017 deal, was to change the business structure and convert the sole proprietorship to a company with four shareholders. For Landry, that meant relinquishing his role as the sole decision maker—a role he had held for over 40 years. For the three new partners, it meant finding their own ways of doing things and managing the company’s rapid growth, while acknowledging that the founder was letting go. “In business, there’s a limit to how tough the work gets. The real challenge lies in managing the emotional dynamics among partners,” says Masse. “Picture this: four different people, each with a different background. We didn’t think the same and didn’t talk the same. But we had to constantly make sure our personal and professional goals were aligned so the four of us could move forward together. That was one of our biggest challenges.” Maxime Di Patria Partner and CFO, Medifice The four partners enlisted industrial psychologists and consultants specializing in ownership transition to help them manage the human and emotional aspects of the process, organize themselves, and define a strong mission and vision for the future of Medifice. So what is the team’s greatest strength? “We’ve always put the business before our personal needs, and we’ve managed to find a fair and respectful approach for everyone to help us get through the ups and downs,” says Di Patria. “We’ve all learned something different from Marcel. He rounds out our team. He’s our mentor and go-to person on many issues, not just business.” Sharing the same values With a portfolio of several dozen buildings, Medifice handles all aspects of a project, from financing and development (concept and design) to construction and building management. That strategy has enabled the company to maintain a broad perspective and exert greater control over quality and costs. The fact that the founder and the three new shareholders share common values, such as making a difference, giving back and helping others, has also played a crucial role in the transition. “At Medifice, we create buildings that meet real needs and make a real difference in people’s lives. Everything we do is designed to improve living conditions in our communities. And that’s not just a catchphrase—it’s really what the company is all about,” says Gariépy. A promising future After consolidating its position as a leader in assisted living facilities for seniors, the company expanded into new areas beyond its initial focus in health care. “We’re using our expertise to deliver customized real estate solutions. We build social infrastructure to meet the need for basic services in communities,” says Di Patria. One of the latest projects completed by Medifice is Pôle santé Saint-Jérôme—a development of over $100 million, featuring a medical complex designed to serve over 150,000 patients per year, a 112-bed long-term care facility, an outpatient centre affiliated with the Saint-Jérôme hospital, and a specialized medical centre with seven operating rooms. Another project, currently being developed, is the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières campus in Terrebonne, with completion scheduled for 2025. Given the massive need for social infrastructure across the province, Medifice is positioning itself for sustained growth so it can continue to play its part in helping municipal, provincial and federal governments to better serve the population. The company’s vision is to become Canada’s largest developer and owner of positive-impact buildings by 2040. “We’re a solid, close-knit team. We’re all working toward the same goal, and that’s key here. When the time comes, Marcel can retire with a clear conscience, knowing that we will continue the work he started and that the company’s mission—to improve living conditions in our communities—will remain at the core of everything we do,” says Di Patria.
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Lavery Welcomes Peter Thériault to its Intellectual Property Group
We are pleased to welcome Peter Thériault as Technical Advisor in Lavery's Intellectual Property group. With over a decade of varied experience in the life sciences, he has cultivated deep expertise in the development and protection of healthcare sector innovations. During his eclectic career, Peter has worked in academic research administration, in pharmaceutical industry R&D, and for contract research organizations (CROs). More specifically, he has consulted on both intellectual property issues and scientific questions. His experience has allowed him to develop a wide range of technical and professional skills, which he has channelled into complex projects in the healthcare sector. "I have always believed in the need to contribute to innovation in the healthcare sector for the benefit of all. That conviction turned into a passion for life sciences during my academic career. Since completing my studies, I have been eager to put this passion to good use, somewhere where I could realize my full potential. I quickly fell under the spell of intellectual property, a fascinating field that is constantly evolving. As fellowship, excellence and leadership are core values, it seemed natural for me to join Lavery's Intellectual Property team to achieve my ambitions. I have now found my place here!" 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 Welcomes Lisa Azzuolo as Chief Strategy and Growth Officer
Lavery is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Azzuolo as Chief Strategy and Growth Officer. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Lisa is responsible for driving the firm’s business goals and ensuring growth targets are met. As a key member of the executive committee and steward of the Lavery brand, she will lead business development, client experience, and marketing and communications efforts. Lisa’s mandate includes delivering strategic support to partners and professionals, cultivating strong client relationships, and ensuring excellence in service delivery. "I am delighted to join Lavery, a pillar of the Quebec legal and business community and a respected law firm partner nationally. Lavery’s visionary leadership was pivotal in my decision to join. I am eager to contribute to the firm’s growth and strengthen its position as Canada’s Quebec Law Firm," said Lisa Azzuolo, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer of Lavery. A Distinguished Career in Pursuit of Excellence Before joining Lavery, Lisa held leadership positions in marketing and business development at three prominent national law firms. She also spearheaded an integrated marketing and communications strategy for the Canadian subsidiary of a global financial services company. A member of the Quebec Bar from 1994 to 2012, Lisa began her career in private practice in Montreal. With extensive experience in both national and global organizations, Lisa blends the rigor of best practices from large firms with a personalized, client-focused approach characteristic of a regional firm. This enables her to deliver the best of both worlds to benefit Lavery’s clients. A Client-Centric Approach "Lisa’s arrival marks a key moment for our firm," said Anik Trudel, Chief Executive Officer of Lavery. "Her national experience and deep expertise in legal marketing and business development align perfectly with our long-term vision. Welcoming a leader of Lisa’s caliber reinforces our position as Quebec’s business law firm of choice and highlights our commitment to an exceptional client experience."
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Nicolas Gagnon recognized in Lexpert’s 2025 directory of Leading 500 Cross-Border Lawyers
Lavery is pleased to announce that our partner Nicolas Gagnon has been listed in Lexpert’s Leading 500 Cross-Border Lawyers directory for 2025 in Construction Law. The selection of lawyers is based on an extensive annual survey and a rigorous review process. Professionals included in the Lexpert ranking have been recommended by their peers. Congratulations to Nicolas on this nomination, a testament to his expertise. Nicolas Gagnon specializes in construction law and surety law. He counsels contractors, public- and private-sector clients, professional services firms and surety companies at every stage of construction projects. He advises clients on the public bidding and procurement processes and participates in the negotiation and drafting of contractual documents involving various project delivery methods, such as public-private partnership projects and design, construction, financing and maintenance contracts. View the full directory here. About Lavery Lavery is the leading independent law firm in Quebec. 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 Quebec. Recognized in 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 Lexpert’s Leading 500 Cross-Border Lawyers directory (formerly Lexpert/ALM 500) Lexpert’s Leading 500 directory for 2025 features lawyers ranked highest in 33 practice areas and is sent to leading law firms and corporate counsel in the U.S. The practice areas are selected from the 68 practice areas in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2025.
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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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