News

We are honoured to be finalists in three categories of the first Canadian Law Awards, presented by Lexpert. Our firm is one of four finalists in the category Quebec Law Firm of the Year. Our Chief Executive Officer, Anik Trudel, is in the running for Managing Partner of the Year and our partner Awatif Lakhdar is nominated for Litigator of the Year. These nominations confirm our leading position in the Quebec legal services industry.

Dear clients and business partners, In light of recent recommendations from Canadian and Québec authorities, and the progression of the coronavirus epidemic to the pandemic stage, Lavery wishes to inform you of the measures that we have implemented to ensure the safety of our members, limit the spread of the virus within and outside the Lavery network, comply with the official recommendations of the authorities, and ensure the continuity of our business. The safety of our team members, our clients and business partners, as well as that of their families and loved ones, remains our top priority. We would like to offer our thoughts and support to all those who have to deal with the impacts of contamination within their own organizations or among their relations. We would like to assure all of our clients and business partners that we have been monitoring the situation for several weeks, and that a business continuity plan has rapidly been put in place in order to ensure that we maintain the level of service that you expect, particularly in terms of managing the impacts of the spread on your own organization. Lavery’s four offices (Montréal, Québec City, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières) remain open and our team members are able to continue operations, whether on site with reinforced sanitary measures or remotely in a secure manner. In summary, here are the preventive measures that we have implemented and will continue to adjust as the situation progresses: All business travel outside Québec, regardless of destination, has been cancelled or postponed until further notice. This includes travel for client meetings or for participation in conferences or other professional events. All personal travel outside Québec, regardless of destination, is subject to the usual recommendations of the official authorities and is subject to precautionary measures (self-isolation or other) before any return to work. All internal events, including training sessions, conferences and any other events organized at the firm, are cancelled until further notice, and participation in events of a professional nature outside the firm (training sessions, symposiums, meetings, receptions, sports and social events, etc.) is not recommended. Participation in events involving more than 25 people is not permitted until further notice.  We have asked our team members to conduct all meetings with clients or business partners by telephone or virtual meeting. Should a client meeting truly need to be held in person on an exceptional basis, our receptionists have been instructed to ask visitors to register so that we can follow up as required. The measures described above are part of a collective prevention effort. Rest assured that we are continuously assessing the adequacy of these measures, that we remain at your service for all your legal needs, including those required to manage this pandemic, and that we will keep you informed as the situation evolves at Lavery. Anik TrudelChief Executive Officer

Lavery is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Clément as managing partner of Lavery’s Québec City office. In addition to managing Lavery’s Québec City office, comprised of 44 professionals and employees,Mr. Clément will be responsible for the overall growth of the firm’s activities and the firm’s position in the Québec City area. As such, he will be joining the firm’s Management Committee. A professional known in the business community for his expertise and drive Mr. Clément’s practice extends to commercial litigation, including shareholder conflicts, corporate reorganizations and insolvency, breach of contract and urgent proceedings. He also offers legal counsel to long-term clients for acquisitions as well as sales of businesses and assets, in particular. In keeping with this, he chairs the Québec City division of the M&A Club, founded in 2012 to facilitate deal making and financing in the mid-market private sector between M&A professionals. “Lavery is more than a century old and has strong roots in Québec City. With its reputation well established, the firm has reinvented itself over time through bold decisions. Not only am I pleased to join the Lavery network and the entire Québec City team, but I am also eager to put my network and energy to work for the benefit of the firm’s clients and its strategic plan,” says Mr. Clément. An appointment in keeping with Lavery’s vision This arrival coincides with the start of major work aimed at expanding our Québec City office. “I am pleased to pass the torch on to Simon, as our Québec City office redefines itself in new premises and as the region is offering great opportunities for economic growth,” says Daniel Bouchard. “With his excellent legal reputation, entrepreneurial skills, notoriety and strong connections in the Québec City business community, Simon Clément has emerged as the best candidate to take over the management of Lavery’s Québec City office and to drive its development. Although he is not leaving, but simply returning to active practice, I would like to thank Daniel Bouchard for his exceptional contribution. His ongoing commitment throughout the years, the projects and the challenges has been expressed through motivating leadership,” says Anik Trudel, CEO of Lavery.

Lavery Lawyers is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Buchholz as a partner in its Corporate Law group in Montréal. His practice will focus mainly on mergers and acquisitions, competition law and intellectual property. This is a return to roots for Me Buchholz, as he spent all of his career in private practice at Lavery before joining La Presse. Legal agility at the heart of business: a legal practice focused on client solutions Until recently, Me Buchholz was Vice-President, Legal Affairs and Company Secretary at La Presse, a position he held for 11 years. He played a key role in the media company’s digital transformation by providing legal representation in media and business law and protecting and managing the company’s intellectual property portfolio. Me Buchholz will continue to assist La Presse, remaining as Secretary to its Board of Directors. While at La Presse, Me Buchholz was also Vice-President, Legal Affairs and Company Secretary of Square Victoria Communications Group, Gesca and Square Victoria Digital Properties. In these capacities, he managed the legal aspects of acquisitions and divestitures of equity interests in numerous digital and communications companies, including Du Proprio, Workopolis, Gesca Regional Newspapers and La Presse Télé. In addition, Me Buchholz served as a member of the boards of directors of The Canadian Press and Workopolis. “Today, legal services must adapt to the new business contexts of clients, many of which are still in the midst of organizational and digital transformation. I am very pleased to be returning to private practice to share the experience I have gained over the past few years in helping to fully transform one of Canada's leading media companies with our current and future clients,” says Me Buchholz. “I truly believe that the time is ripe for the legal industry to reinvent its services through the judicious use of digital advancements and plain language in law. In my opinion, this means being able to communicate relevant and precise strategic advice with added value to our clients, using the platforms of their choice. This vision lines up with the approach Lavery is implementing with its clients.” A new member that consolidates Lavery Lawyers's 360° legal approach “We are proud that Patrick Buchholz has chosen Lavery for his return to the professional services community. His arrival as a partner consolidates our commitment to offer our clients a 360° legal approach perfectly aligned with the particularities of their businesses. He will bring unique and relevant experience to the table, as well as his extensive legal knowledge for which he is already known. His return among us is a testament to the lasting relationships we build with our alumni and our firm's attractiveness to exceptional professionals. It demonstrates, once again, our commitment to being a leader in the transformation of legal services in Québec,” says Anik Trudel, Lavery's Chief Executive Officer.

As a Business Pioneer in Parity Certification, Lavery is proud of the commitment made by law firms and newly certified companies to help increase the representation of women in leadership positions. "Undertaking the Gender Parity Certification process means committing to establishing adequate mechanisms to advance women's careers and promote the fulfillment of women in leadership positions," commented Anik Trudel, Chief Executive Officer of Lavery. Lavery would also like to congratulate its business partners who received the Parity Certification for the first time at the September 11, 2018 Women in Governance Gala, in particular Air Canada, the Autorité des marchés financiers, the Business Development Bank of Canada, Loto-Québec, the National Film Board of Canada, Schneider Electric and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Two other law firms, Miller Thomson LLP and Norton Rose FulBright, also joined Lavery Lawyers as certified companies. "I want to acknowledge the contributions of our clients who are taking part in this great movement as well as highlight the involvement of our peers, who are contributing to change in the legal industry. We wish to continue our involvement and promote the progress already made, which motivated our decision to participate in the certification process for a second consecutive year," concluded Anik Trudel.

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.

Pierre Marc Johnson, counsel and chief negotiator for the Government of Québec for the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), was appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations (MCFR) during the organization’s 33rd annual general meeting held on December 13.  In a press release announcing the appointment, MCFR President and CEO Pierre Lemonde commented that Me Johnson is well-suited to handle this new challenge because of “his experience and knowledge of the business community, international organizations, local and international governments and his extensive network of contacts throughout the world”.  Me Johnson acts as special advisor to the Government of Québec on trade agreements, is a member of the Government of Canada’s NAFTA Advisory Council on the Environment and, since 2009, has acted as chief negotiator for Québec in the Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement negotiations (CETA). “As with the Médaille du Barreau and the Paul-André-Crépeau Medal, two prestigious awards received by Me Johnson earlier this year, this appointment recognizes his expertise and important contribution to the areas of law and international trade, negotiations and international partnerships,” stated Anik Trudel, Lavery’s Chief Executive Officer. The MCFR’s mission is to promote greater knowledge of international affairs and, through its events and partnerships, to encourage closer cooperation between the various entities that share an interest in international matters. 

We are enormously proud to learn of the appointment today of our former partner, the Hon. Richard Wagner, to the position of Chief Justice at the highest court in Canada. Justice Wagner practised at Lavery from 1980 to 2004 before being appointed to the bench, first of the Superior Court of Quebec and then of the Court of Appeal of Quebec and the Supreme Court of Canada. We at Lavery knew Richard as a hard worker, a conscientious lawyer and a man with a passion for his profession, dedicated to giving the best of himself. He made his name as an accomplished litigator in the fields of commercial litigation, professional liability and construction law. A number of our lawyers were fortunate to have the benefit of his talents as a mentor and trainer, and it is thanks to his generosity that they have successful practices today, both with the firm and in the private sector. “For Lavery, the appointment of Justice Richard Wagner to the head of the Supreme Court of Canada is an honour that reflects on the entire firm. It speaks to a long tradition of litigation practitioners whose intellectual rigour and top-flight professional skills are at the heart of the services offered by Lavery,” said Anik Trudel, Lavery’s Chief Executive Officer. Lavery now has 29 alumni and alumnae who sit as judges on both provincial and federal courts.

Lavery is pleased to announce that Ms. Amélie Journet has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief of Human Resources and Organizational Transformation. Ms. Journet will be responsible for spearheading the development and implementation of the Talent strategy throughout the firm. As a member of management, she will also play a key role in transforming Lavery’s business model.  Ms. Journet has over fifteen years’ experience in change management and human resources in companies active in the entertainment, creativity, commerce and technology industries. She will report directly to Chief Executive Officer Anik Trudel and will sit on the firm’s management committee. Lavery is counting on the acquisition and mobilization of highly qualified creative talent in order to implement the actions needed to achieve its business vision, which is to be recognized for transforming legal services in Quebec. “Throughout my career, I have worked in industries in transformation and I witnessed the extent to which the link between business objectives and human behaviour is based on successful change management,” remarked Amélie Journet.” “Lavery has all the elements needed to position itself as an employer of choice and an actor in transforming the delivery of legal services in Quebec. Joining the firm gives me a unique opportunity to play a key role in implementing a daring vision underpinned by talent and the next generation as a privileged vector for transformation.” Lavery plans to adapt to the generational transition and feminization of the legal industry by overcoming the challenges related to retaining its professionals. Women make up 64% of firm members and 86% of salaried lawyers at Lavery are millenials, a generation with clear expectations and different needs when it comes to work.  The firm therefore wants to revise its vision of human resources by drawing on proven practices from industries outside the law in order to introduce an innovative approach within the legal community. “Ms. Journet will oversee the implementation of best practices for talent, mobilization and leadership for all employees, regardless of status, and will work closely with the different firm teams and committees to implement an approach to managing talent that is both engaging and transformative,” commented Anik Trudel. “Due to her extensive expertise in change management, Ms. Journet will be extremely instrumental in integrating our vision into our operations. Her arrival marks an increase in the steps taken by Lavery’s management to transform the legal industry by doing things differently.”