This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
For all media inquiries, please contact Jean-François Lemieux:
- jflemieux@lavery.ca
- 514 877-3002
News
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Navigating a Fractured World: Lavery Hosts the 2026 World Services Group Annual Meeting
In September, Montréal hosted the 2026 World Services Group (WSG) Annual Meeting, organized this year by Lavery. More than 100 professionals from leading independent firms around the world gathered around a shared observation: businesses now operate in an environment where geopolitical, technological, climate and economic risks can no longer be considered in isolation. Under the theme “Navigating a Fractured World – Geopolitics, Resilience, and the Future of Legal Advisory,” the program brought together business leaders, diplomats, academics, entrepreneurs and legal professionals to exchange perspectives on some of the transformations currently reshaping the business environment. From the geopolitics of the North and artificial intelligence to the energy transition, mergers and acquisitions and supply chain security, a common thread emerged. As uncertainty becomes structural, the ability to anticipate change, adapt and make decisions despite unpredictability is becoming a strategic advantage. Arctic Sovereignty and Critical Minerals: The North at the Centre of New Global Power Dynamics Long perceived as a peripheral region, the North is emerging as an area where national security, strategic resources, new trade routes and the energy transition increasingly converge. Moderated by André Vautour, Partner at Lavery, the discussion brought together Nikolaj Harris, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Canada; Timothy Naftali, Director of the Arctic Task Force at Columbia University’s Institute of Global Politics; and Killian Charles, President and CEO of Brunswick Exploration, to explore the implications of this transformation. The development of critical minerals illustrates this new reality particularly well. Western economies’ efforts to reduce certain strategic dependencies are creating significant opportunities, but having resources in the ground is not enough. Access to infrastructure, capital and processing capacity, as well as the global competitiveness of individual projects, will ultimately determine their viability. New navigation opportunities in the North could also reshape certain trade routes and, with them, considerations of sovereignty and security. The future of the North will therefore be determined well beyond its borders. What happens there could reshape supply chains, strategic dependencies and international alliances. Energy Transition and Infrastructure: Moving from Ambition to Execution The tension between ambition and the ability to execute was also at the heart of the discussion on infrastructure and the energy transition. Moderated by David Tournier, Partner at Lavery, Dominique Anglade, Executive Director and Adjunct Professor, Executive Education, HEC Montréal; Éric Lachance, President and CEO of Énergir; and Alex Petre, CEO of Deep Sky, approached the transition from a pragmatic perspective. For organizations, the challenge is no longer simply determining whether they should participate in the transition, but rather how to deploy the technologies, infrastructure and business models needed to support it at scale. This transformation also requires a different relationship with risk, including a shift toward a portfolio approach that allows organizations to experiment with different solutions while accepting that some initiatives may fail. Panelists also emphasized that reducing future emissions addresses only part of the challenge: emissions already accumulated in the atmosphere will require solutions of their own. For major projects, success will depend as much on economic and regulatory feasibility as on the ability to engage the various stakeholders from the earliest stages of development. Montréal and Québec: Turning Economic Disruption into Investment Opportunities The Annual Meeting also provided an opportunity to examine Montréal and Québec through the lens of their economic potential and their ability to attract investment in a changing international environment. In a discussion moderated by Selena Lu, Partner at Lavery, Alexandre Lagarde, Vice-President, Impact Investment and Major Projects at Montréal International, and Véronique Proulx, President and CEO of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, shared their perspectives on Montréal and Québec’s strengths, the sectors driving their economic vitality and the conditions required to remain competitive. Geopolitical and economic shifts are creating a new dynamic. Major public investments, particularly in infrastructure, energy and defence, can serve as powerful catalysts for private investment and the development of new industries. Public procurement can therefore help create the conditions for businesses to establish and expand their operations, particularly in the manufacturing sector. The discussion also highlighted opportunities that extend beyond traditional investment. Aging infrastructure across North America creates opportunities to bring in capital and expertise from other markets. At the same time, the wave of business transfers associated with Québec’s aging entrepreneurial population could create acquisition opportunities for companies seeking to establish a presence in Canada. Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and Technology Providers: Strategic Issues for Organizations The discussion on artificial intelligence moved beyond the question of technology adoption to address a much more strategic issue: to what extent should an organization control the technologies, data and provider ecosystem on which its use of AI depends? Moderated by Benoit Yelle, Partner at Lavery, the panel brought together Sophie Fallaha, Executive Director of CEIMIA; Alejandro Padin, Partner at Garrigues; and Loïc Berdnikoff, Chief Legal and Innovation Officer at Lavery. The choice between developing proprietary capabilities and purchasing existing solutions, the “build vs. buy” decision, served as the starting point for the discussion, but its implications extend much further. An organization entrusting its data to a technology provider must understand not only where that data is hosted, but also who can access it, which subcontractors are involved in the technology chain and which jurisdictions may apply. As the discussion highlighted, even when a provider claims that data remains within a particular jurisdiction, its infrastructure, redundancy mechanisms or own service providers may create much more complex data flows. AI governance is therefore becoming inseparable from data governance. Data is a strategic asset that organizations cannot expose without understanding the associated risks, particularly in sectors where confidentiality is fundamental. For law firms, this issue takes on an additional dimension because of the very nature of the information entrusted to them. This discussion ultimately raised the broader question of what will an organization that has truly integrated AI look like ten or twenty years from now. The challenge will not simply be to have the best tools, but to establish the governance, skills, culture and control mechanisms required to use them responsibly and create value. In M&A, Value Is Shifting Toward Intangibles: Intellectual Property, Data, Software and Human Capital Technological transformation is also changing what companies buy and sell. Moderated by Selena Lu, Partner at Lavery, the panel brought together Steven Wang, Heather Buchta and Raimondo Premonte, providing perspectives from Australia, the United States and Europe, respectively. The discussion highlighted the growing importance of intellectual property, data, algorithms, software, brands, know-how and human capital in determining enterprise value. In some transactions, these assets no longer simply support the value of the business: they are the business itself. This shift is necessarily transforming how buyers assess targets and conduct due diligence. Questions no longer focus solely on historical liabilities, but increasingly on a company’s ability to protect its data and intellectual property, the robustness of its AI governance, its technology dependencies, its cybersecurity posture and its ability to retain the people who hold its critical know-how. This new reality is also reshaping negotiations and the allocation of risk. When a significant portion of a target’s value depends on data, algorithms or digital infrastructure, representations and warranties, indemnities and post-closing obligations must evolve accordingly. Supply Chains, Geopolitics and Resilience: Turning Uncertainty into a Business Capability The closing discussion on supply chain security brought together several of the themes that had emerged throughout the Annual Meeting. Moderated by Anik Trudel, CEO of Lavery, the panel brought together former Canadian Ambassador to China Guy Saint-Jacques; Pierre Gabriel Côté, former Québec Delegate General in London and former President and CEO of Investissement Québec; and Guillaum W. Dubreuil, Director, Government and External Affairs at CSL Group. Together, they examined a business environment in which supply chains themselves are becoming instruments of economic and geopolitical power. Trade wars, industrial policies, rapid regulatory changes, aging infrastructure, climate events and emerging economic alliances are making investment decisions increasingly difficult. Yet standing still is not an option. As the discussion highlighted, organizations will need to develop contingency plans, diversify certain dependencies and improve their ability to rapidly interpret political and regulatory developments. This reality is also transforming the role of legal advisors. Understanding the applicable law remains fundamental, but it is no longer enough. Organizations increasingly expect advisors to understand their business models, anticipate risks and help them make decisions in situations where there may not always be a clear or certain answer. An International Conversation That Will Continue: Global Perspectives and Business Resilience Beyond the diversity of the topics discussed, the WSG Annual Meeting highlighted a common reality: the traditional boundaries between legal, business, technological and geopolitical risk are becoming increasingly difficult to draw. By welcoming legal professionals from around the world and distinguished guest panelists to Montréal, Lavery sought to create a forum where these different perspectives could come together. In a more fragmented world, the quality of legal advice will increasingly depend on the ability to look beyond one’s own jurisdiction, understand the forces reshaping markets and bring together the right perspectives to help organizations move forward despite uncertainty.
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Lavery and its Intellectual Property group recognized in the 2026 edition of the WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals
We are pleased to announce that Lavery has been ranked in the 2026 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. About WTR 1000 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. About Lavery Lavery 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's expertise recognized by Chambers Global 2026
We are pleased to announce that Lavery has once again been recognized in the 2026 edition of Chambers in the following sectors: Coporate/Commercial (Quebec, Band 1) Employment & Labor (Quebec , Band 2) Energy & Natural Ressources : Mining (Nation wide Canada, Band 3) Intellectual Property (Nationwide Canada, Band 4) Insurance : Dispute Resolution (Nationwide Canada, Band 5) These recognitions are further demonstration of the expertise and quality of legal services that characterize Lavery's professionals. Nine lawyers have been recognized as leaders in their respective areas of practice in the 2026 edition of the Chambers Global guide. Areas of expertise in which they are recognized: René Branchaud : Energy & Natural Ressources : Mining (Nationwide Canada, Band 5) Brittany Carson: Employment & Labour (Up and Coming) Nicolas Gagnon: Construction (Nationwide Canada, Band 2) Édith Jacques: Corporate/Commercial (Québec, Band 5) Marie-Hélène Jolicoeur: Employment & Labour (Québec, Band 4) Guy Lavoie: Employment & Labour (Québec, Band 2) Martin Pichette: Insurance: Dispute Resolution (Nationwide Canada, Band 3) Sébastien Vézina: Energy & Natural Ressources : Mining (Nationwide Canada, Band 5) Camille Rioux: Employment & Labour (Associates to watch) About Chambers Since 1990, Chambers and Partners' ranks the best law firms and lawyers across 200 jurisdictions throughout the world. The lawyers and law firms profiled in Chambers are selected following through a rigorous process of research and interviews with a broad spectrum of lawyers and their clients. The final selection is based on clearly defined criteria such as the quality of client service, legal expertise, and commercial astuteness. About Lavery Lavery 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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Two partners recognized as Leading Lawyers by Lexpert in its special health sciences edition
On July 2, 2025, Lexpert recognized the expertise of two partners in its 2025 Lexpert Special Edition: Health Sciences. Chantal Desjardins and Alain Y. Dussault are recognized among Canada’s leaders, highlighting the firm’s excellence and strategic role in Health Sciences. Chantal Desjardins, Partner, Lawyer and Trademark Agent, actively assists her clients in establishing their rights in the field of intellectual property, which includes the protection and defence of trademarks, industrial designs, trade secrets, copyright, domain names and other related forms of intellectual property, in order to further their business objectives. Ms. Desjardins provides legal advice and expertise in intellectual property protection and management, represents her clients in the examination of applications and opposition and litigation proceedings in Canada and in other countries. She negotiates licences, various contracts in the field and technology transfers. She advises and defends her clients’ advertising and labelling rights and on other matters, such as the Charter of the French language. Alain Y. Dussault, Partner, Lawyer and Trademark Agent in the Intellectual Property group. He mainly practises intellectual property litigation and has extensive experience in patent litigation, trademarks, copyright and industrial designs. He acts in various large-scale disputes, including certain multijurisdictional disputes, for clients in various industries, including pharmaceutical, agri-food, electronics, forest and entertainment. He has represented prestigious clients in complex disputes before the courts in the province of Quebec, the federal courts and the Supreme Court of Canada. He also advises his clients on registering, managing and protecting their intellectual property rights. This recognition by Lexpert shows the quality and depth of expertise offered by Lavery, attesting to its commitment to provide solutions tailored to its clients. 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 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 its Intellectual Property group recognized in the 2025 edition of IP STARS
We are pleased to announce that Lavery has been recognized in the 2025 edition of IP STARS in the following categories: Patent prosecution Trademark prosecution Four of our members have also been recognized as leaders in their respective fields of practice: Geneviève Bergeron Trademark star 2025 Isabelle Jomphe Trademark star 2025 Alain Dussault Trademark star 2025 Patent Star 2025 Béatrice Ngatcha Notable practitioner IP STARS is the leading directory for companies and individuals looking for experienced lawyers to deal with intellectual property issues. About Lavery Lavery 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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Join us in celebrating World Intellectual Property Day on April 26!
This year, let’s consider how important music is in our society and our lives, and how intellectual property relates to this art form. Music is beneficial in many ways. It is frequently used as a therapeutic tool to alleviate stress, anxiety and depression. It can improve mood, concentration, memory and learning skills and induce relaxation or stimulate activity. Music also drives social interaction. As an art form, it transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, acting like a universal language. Protecting musical creations The purpose of the Copyright Act is to protect creative works, including musical works. The law confers exclusive rights to various creators in the music industry, allowing them to control how their music is used and how the resulting profits are shared. Like most other countries in the world, Canada is a signatory to the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, which stipulates that a copyright existing in one signatory country is recognized in the other signatory countries. Intellectual property rights encourage the creation of new works by protecting this art form and compel the music industry to foster an environment where artists and professionals can thrive. Protecting intellectual property in music also has significant economic repercussions. Doing so sustains the music industry, which plays a key role in the economy, creating jobs and income. In conclusion, intellectual property is fundamental to music and, by extension, to cultural heritage. On this day, we wish to celebrate this form of art that is such an integral part of our lives. We stand behind the intellectual property mechanisms that protect and enrich this vital artistic field.
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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. About Lavery Lavery 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 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 Lavery Lavery 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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On April 26th let’s celebrate World Intellectual Property Day!
The protection of intellectual property plays an essential role in driving innovation and economic progress, including for innovations having a positive impact on the environment. Indeed, intellectual property provides innovators with the legal protection they need to develop and market their innovations, thus y fostering economic and social growth. Protecting green innovations By protecting environmentally-focused innovations through intellectual property, we create an environment conducive to the emergence and development of sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. These green innovations aim to reduce the harmful effects of human activity on the planet and its inhabitants. Innovation at the core of our ecosystem With intellectual property protection, innovators can reap the benefits of their hard work by gaining a competitive edge, which in turn encourages investment in research and development. This protection also fosters the development of an innovation culture within organizations and drives economic progress. In short, protecting intellectual property is an incentive to build a better future! For more information on this yearly celebration, go to: https://www.wipo.int/web/ipday/2024-sdgs/index