This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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Lavery advises Fresnillo on strategic transaction in Quebec
Fresnillo plc, the world's largest primary silver producer and a major player in the gold sector in Mexico, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Canadian company Probe Gold Inc. for a total consideration of approximately CAD 780 million. This transaction, carried out through a statutory plan of arrangement, marks a crucial step for Fresnillo in its international expansion strategy. Listed on the London and Mexican stock exchanges, Fresnillo strengthens its position as a global leader in precious metals with this acquisition. By integrating Probe's assets, including the flagship Novador project in the Val-d’Or gold district of Quebec, Fresnillo expands its project portfolio and establishes a presence in one of Canada's most promising mining areas. Lavery is proud to advise Fresnillo on the legal aspects of this acquisition in Quebec. Our team provided expertise in mining law, labor and employment law, real estate law, environmental law, and relations with First Nations. Under the leadership of Sébastien Vézina and Jean-Paul Timothée, our team included Valérie Belle-Isle, Jules Brière, Carole Gélinas, Eric Lavallée, Jessica Parent, Yasmine Belrachid, Siddhartha Borissov-Beausoleil, Radia Amina Djouaher, Eric Gélinas, Ghiles Helli, Jessy Menar, Nadine Giguère, Annie Groleau, Joëlle Montpetit, Ana Cristina Nascimento, Thomas Cazelais Turcotte, and Clara Fortin. This collaboration demonstrates Lavery's commitment to providing legal advice tailored to the complex issues of the mining industry in Quebec. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to required approvals, thereby strengthening economic ties between Quebec and Mexico in the precious metals sector.
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Two partners recognized as leaders in Canada by Lexpert in its Special Edition: Energy
On August 6, 2025, Lexpert recognized the expertise of two partners in its 2025 edition of Lexpert Special Edition: Energy. Jean-Sébastien Desroches and Edith Jacques are acknowledged among Canada's leaders, highlighting the firm's excellence and strategic role in the energy sector. Jean-Sébastien Desroches works in business law, primarily in mergers and acquisitions, infrastructure, renewable energy, project development, and strategic partnerships. He was the head of the firm's business law practice until 2018. He has led several major transactions, complex legal operations, cross-border transactions, reorganizations, and investments in Canada and internationally for Canadian, American, and European clients, international companies, and institutional clients, particularly in manufacturing, transportation, pharmaceuticals, finance, and renewable energy sectors. Edith Jacques, partner, lawyer, and trademark agent in Lavery's intellectual property group. Edith Jacques is the Chair of the firm's board of directors and a partner in the Montreal business law group. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions, commercial law, and international law. She acts as a business and strategic advisor to medium and large private companies. She is highly involved with manufacturing companies and energy firms. Ms. Jacques is known for her versatility, practicality, and pragmatism in various commercial matters. This recognition by Lexpert is proof of the quality and depth of expertise offered by Lavery, confirming its commitment to providing tailored solutions to its clients in the energy sector. About Lavery Lavery is the leading independent law firm in Quebec. It has over 200 professionals based in Montreal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke, and Trois-Rivières, working daily to offer a full range of legal services to organizations doing business in Quebec. Recognized by the most prestigious legal directories, Lavery's professionals are at the heart of the business community and actively involved in their communities. The firm's expertise is frequently sought by numerous national and global partners to assist them with matters in Quebec jurisdiction.
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Lavery and AquaAction renew their partnership in support of innovation in the water industry
Lavery is pleased to announce that it is renewing its partnership with AquaAction, which aims to support and strengthen innovation initiatives in the water industry. "It has already been close to five years since Lavery first decided to back AquaAction's cause by providing legal counsel to companies that are innovating in the water industry. We are excited to be renewing this partnership," says Isabelle Jomphe, Partner and Co-Head of Practice of the Intellectual Property group at Lavery. "At Lavery, we believe strongly in the importance of innovation to face environmental challenges. This partnership with AquaAction reflects our commitment to supporting young innovators and promoting sustainable solutions for water," says Sébastien Vézina, Partner at Lavery and General Secretary at AquaAction. More specifically, Lavery is renewing its support for the AquaHacking and AquaEntrepreneur programs for the province of Quebec. Lavery hopes to empower young entrepreneurs in Quebec by providing legal and strategic advice as well as training to develop and implement innovative solutions that tackle critical challenges related to water. "We are excited to announce the renewal of our partnership with Lavery, leveraging their legal expertise to propel innovation in water technology. Together, we aim to provide comprehensive support that fosters growth, ensuring the success and impact of groundbreaking solutions in the water sector." - Soula Chronopoulos , President of AquaAction A partnership for growth and innovationThis partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration and shared vision. Thanks to Lavery's expertise and resources, AquaAction is able to have an even bigger impact by empowering entrepreneurs, promoting innovation, and propelling sustainable solutions in the water industry. We are excited about the possibilities that this partnership opens up, and we celebrate the positive changes that it will bring about in our community. About AquaActionAquaAction is a registered charity, in Canada and the United States, founded in 2016. It was created to empower young innovators to restore and protect freshwater health. AquaAction has developed two programs based on innovation and water technology: AquaHacking, a startup pre-incubator, and AquaEntrepreneur, which pairs water tech startups with municipal or private sector clients to fast-track their commercialization. To learn more, visit aquaaction.org. About LaveryLavery 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 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 and C3E establish a strategic partnership to support the energy efficiency industry
Lavery is pleased to announce its partnership with the Centre d’excellence en efficacité énergétique (C3E). This partnership aims to bolster support for companies in the energy efficiency industry by assisting them with business transactions and their transition to energy-efficient practices. C3E chose Lavery to represent and support its activities as it strives to modernize and adapt to new market realities surrounding the energy transition. As a law firm that shares C3E’s values and objectives, Lavery is ideally positioned to promote the interests of local businesses and partner with them in their growth. Lavery has been involved with companies in the industry for decades and has developed a keen understanding of the many issues and challenges involved in projects in this sector. Business transactions in the energy sector require the collaboration of teams specializing in several of Lavery’s areas of expertise. Thanks to our multidisciplinary approach and close connections with all stakeholders in the industry, we can assist businesses with their legal and governance-related issues. “We’re honoured that C3E chose Lavery to help speed up the energy transition across businesses, and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to provide our expertise,” concluded Édith Jacques, a partner at Lavery.
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A Lavery team to train members of the COMBEQ in 2018 on wetland issues
Throughout 2018, Daniel Bouchard, a partner, along with Valérie Belle-Isle, Chloé Fauchon and Pier-Olivier Fradette, associates of the Public and Administrative Law group, will train members of the Corporation des officiers municipaux en bâtiment et en environnement du Québec (COMBEQ). The seminar is entitled “Milieux humides et hydriques et certificat d’autorisation : quel rôle pour les municipalités ?” and is intended primarily for environmental municipal officers, as well as other municipal workers. It deals with the practical impact of Bills 102 and 132 adopted in 2017 respecting the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water. The training will be offered to all municipalities in the province and will be delivered in 24 cities over the course of the year.
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Lavery holds a seminar on the impact of recent amendments to the Environment Quality Act on the work of environmental consultants
Lavery held a seminar on the impact and extent of recent amendments to the Environment Quality Act (EQA) on the work of consultants. The seminar was held on November 8 at the Lavery Conference Centre in Montréal. Environmental consultants listened to presentations by Daniel Bouchard and Chloé Fauchon, respectively a partner and a lawyer of the Public and Administrative law group, on amendments to the EQA that expanded the right to access authorization certificates granting the Minister the power to stop an activity without compensation and immunity from liability, except in cases of gross or intentional fault. They discussed these themes in light of the recent case law on the state’s liability in environment matters and offered practical suggestions to consultants on how to protect themselves given the changes.
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Chloé Fauchon and Charlotte Fortin comment on the Act to amend the Environment Quality Act
In an article published by Éditions Yvon Blais in La Référence, Chloé Fauchon and Charlotte Fortin, lawyers of the Public and Administrative Law group, analyze and comment on the main amendments to the Environment Quality Act under the Act to amend the Environment Quality Act to modernize the environmental authorization scheme and to amend other legislative provisions, in particular to reform the governance of the Green Fund (Bill 102). Click here to consult the article (in french only).
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Karine Joizil moderates a panel at the Conference on Canadian Stewardship
On September 27, Karine Joizil, a partner of the Litigation and Conflict Resolution group, moderated a panel of business people during the Conference on Canadian Stewardship, held at the Sheraton Centre in Montréal. The purpose of the panel was to take an objective look at the state of extended producer responsibility (EPR) and the circular economy in Canada.