This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
-
Landmark Decision from Quebec Superior Court Recognizes Multi-Parent Families
Montreal, May 12, 2025 – Lavery is pleased to acknowledge the landmark decision rendered on April 25 by the Quebec Superior Court, which, for the first time, legally recognizes that a child may have more than two parents. This ruling represents a significant development in Quebec law, introducing a new legal reality in matters of filiation. “This decision shakes the very foundations of filiation law as we know it in Quebec. Not only does it acknowledge the lived reality of many families, it also opens the door to a more inclusive understanding of parenthood,” stated Marc-André Landry, partner at Lavery, who represented one of the families on a pro bono basis. “It’s a crucial step toward greater equality for all children, regardless of the family model they are part of.” The judgment follows a constitutional challenge brought forward by three multi-parent families, represented by several law firms, including Lavery. Justice Andres Garin struck down 44 provisions of the Civil Code of Québec, finding them discriminatory toward families made up of more than two parents. He granted the provincial legislature a 12-month period to amend the Code accordingly. Invoking the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Court found that the two-parent limit on filiation infringes on the right to equality for children and parents in non-traditional family structures. The judge also ordered that the name of the third parent be added to the birth certificate of the child in question, recognizing the legal, social, and psychological impacts of denying such recognition. Beyond the symbolic inclusion on a birth certificate, filiation establishes access to essential responsibilities and protections: custody, financial support, inheritance, insurance, medical decisions, and more. While Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador already recognize multi-parent families, Quebec is now joining their ranks. Justice Garin emphasized that although the Civil Code does not explicitly prohibit more than two parental links, its structure has effectively blocked recognition of multi-parent filiation. Lavery is proud to have contributed to this groundbreaking legal advancement, which could set a precedent in Canada. This decision — already being compared to the one that opened the door to marriage equality in the early 2000s — highlights the importance of a law that evolves with today’s social realities. 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.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Isabelle Duval Named YBM Lawyer of the Year in Family Law
On November 23, Isabelle Duval, an associate in the firm's Family Law Group, was named as YBM lawyer of the year in the category of family law at the 11th edition of the YBM "Leaders of Tomorrow" Gala, held at the St-James Theater. "The naming of Isabelle Duval as YBM lawyer of the year for 2017 reflects the expertise and talent of the firm's next generation of lawyers", said Loïc Berdnikoff, Lavery's Director of Professional Development. "The firm is privileged to be able to count on exceptional professionals such as Isabelle. I would like to congratulate her, both on my own and on the firm's behalf, for this well-deserved distinction!" Note that in choosing the winners, the YBM relies on its Governors Council, consisting, among others, of the deans of three law faculties in Quebec, the Bâtonnier of the Montreal Bar, Brian Mitchell, and the Honourable Justices Nicole Duval Hesler, Lucie Rondeau, Ann-Marie Jones and Bernard Mandeville.
-
Caroline Harnois speaker at the Annual Meeting of the IAFL in Reykjavik, Iceland
During the Annual Meeting of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) which took place at Reykjavik, Iceland, from September 13 to September 17, 2017, Caroline Harnois, a partner in the Family Law, Personal and Estate Group has delivered a conference on the interplay between return applications filed under the The Hague Convention on International Child Abduction and claims for refugee status. Click here for more information about the IAFL.
-
Awatif Lakhdar speaks at a CBA-Québec mini-seminar
On June 7, Awatif Lakhdar, a partner of the Family, Personal and Estate Law group, spoke at a mini-seminar organized by the Wills, Estates and Trusts section of the Canadian Bar Association - Québec Division, held at the Lavery Conference Centre in Montréal and attended by over 45 lawyers. Entitled “Planification successorale et droits matrimoniaux : Avez-vous vraiment tout prévu ?”, Ms. Lakhdar addressed the challenges with foreign-born spouses. She specifically discussed the international jurisdiction of Quebec courts, the doctrine of international litispendence, the application of the rules on family patrimony and the qualification of the matrimonial regime.
-
Awatif Lakhdar speaks at an information session for owner-pharmacists
On March 29, Awatif Lakhdar, a partner of the Family, Personal and Estate Law Group, spoke to owner-pharmacists at an information session held at Lavery’s Conference Centre. Me Lakhdar discussed the legal tools and general considerations required to protect the patrimony and business of owner-pharmacists during the seminar, entitled Pharmaciens-propriétaires : soyez à l’affût des meilleures pratiques pour la gestion de votre patrimoine.
-
Gerald Stotland speaks at an ABC-Québec mini-seminar
On April 13, Gerald Stotland, a partner of the Family, Personal and Estate Law Group, spoke at a mini-seminar organized by the section of children's rights of the Canadian Bar Association, Québec Division, which Caroline Harnois, partner, is Vice-president. This mini-seminar was held at Lavery’s Conference Centre in Montréal. The mini-seminar, entitled Tout ce que vous avez toujours voulu savoir, mais n’avez jamais osé demander quant aux rapports psychologiques soumis en preuve dans vos dossiers, offered participants the opportunity to ask experts questions pertaining to different areas of law, including family, youth, immigration, estate, and criminal law.
-
Awatif Lakhdar speaks at the 3rd Colloque Liquidation des successions
Awatif Lakhdar, a partner with the Family Law Group, spoke about the survival of the support obligation and the family residence during the 3rd edition of the Colloque Liquidation des successions, held on October 5th in Montréal and October 27th in Québec City. Me Lakhdar reviewed some of the successions law notions specific to the survival of the support obligation and the criteria for determining support. She also provided details about the limits imposed by law and discussed the reduction of liberalities. Last, she raised various difficulties regarding the family residence, in particular the legislative priority in favour of the surviving spouse.