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On June 4, 2025, Lexpert recognized the expertise of three of our partners in The Lexpert Special Edition: Technology 2025. Chantal Desjardins, Raymond Doray and Alain Y. Dussault are recognized among Canada’s leaders, highlighting the firm’s excellence and strategic role in technology law. 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. Raymond Doray is a Partner and heads the information law practice, where he handles files on access to information, privacy, defamation and the application of the Canadian and Quebec charters of rights and freedoms. He also specializes in constitutional law. Over the past few years, Mr. Doray has represented several public bodies, private organizations and media companies in legal actions on the confidentiality of documents, the validity of certain government decisions and the respect of reputation and privacy. He also acts as legal counsel for a certain number of corporations, professional orders, public bodies and media companies in administrative and constitutional law cases. 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 technology 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.

The new team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), the Newfoundland Regiment, has announced the appointment of Gordie Dwyer as head coach. This announcement marks the culmination of a lengthy process that resulted in the sale of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan’s assets to SPS Entertainment Limited Partnership and the relocation of the club. This project marks the return of the QMJHL to Newfoundland with the establishment of the team under its new name and colors, in a state-of-the-art arena ideally suited to host exciting games. With this strategic development, the QMJHL is now represented in all Maritime provinces. Lavery is proud to announce that its sports law team had the privilege of advising the QMJHL throughout this transaction. Our professionals, Catherine Méthot and Sébastien Vézina, head of the firm’s Sports and Entertainment Law team, advised the QMJHL at every stage of this process, in accordance with the League’s Constitution. Lavery’s sports law team provides clients with a full 360-degree service, offering advice perfectly tailored to the realities of the sports industry. Its services are available to all industry stakeholders, including agents, owners, team members, athletes, sports teams, professional or amateur leagues, sports facilities, agencies, and event promoters.

Lavery is pleased to announce that Mary-Pier Laureau has joined the team of lawyers at its Sherbrooke office.   Mary-Pier Lareau   Mary-Pier Lareau is part of our Litigation and Dispute Resolution group. She practises mainly in commercial and civil litigation. “To me, joining Lavery means choosing a major firm where excellence, diligence and personal and professional advancement are top priorities. I’m excited to be joining the team, broadening my knowledge and contributing to challenging cases alongside talented professionals.”  

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.

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.

Lavery is pleased to announce that seven of its lawyers have been recognized as leaders by Benchmark Litigation Canada 2025. This directory ranks the leading litigators involved in Canada's landmark litigation cases who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession by providing outstanding service to clients. The following lawyers received the Litigation Star distinction in the 2025 edition of the directory: Laurence Bich-Carrière Myriam Brixi Raymond Doray Nicolas Gagnon Marc-André Landry Martin Pichette Ouassim Tadlaoui Jonathan Warin The following lawyer received the Future Star distinction in the 2025 edition of the directory: Céleste Brouillard-Ross These recognitions are further demonstration of the expertise and quality of legal services that characterize Lavery's professionals. About Lavery Lavery 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.

On April 30, 2025, Lexpert recognized the expertise of five of our partners in its 2025 Lexpert Special Edition:Infrastructure. Jean-Sébastien Desroches, Nicolas Gagnon, Édith Jacques, Marc-André Landry and André Vautour now rank among Canada’s leaders in supporting economic players in the infrastructure industry. Jean-Sébastien Desroches practises business law and focuses primarily on mergers and acquisitions, infrastructure, renewable energy and project development as well as strategic partnerships. He has had the opportunity to steer several major transactions—complex legal operations, cross-border transactions, reorganizations, and investments—in Canada and at an international level on behalf of Canadian, American, and European clients and international corporations and institutional clients in the manufacturing, transportation, pharmaceutical, financial, and renewable energy sectors. Nicolas Gagnon focuses his practice on construction law and suretyship. He counsels contractors, public and private sector clients, professional services firms as well as 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. In addition to advising various construction industry stakeholders on construction management and any claims that may arise, he also assists them with dispute resolution processes. Édith Jacques is a partner in the Business Law Group in Montréal. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions and commercial and international law. Édith acts as strategic business advisor for medium to large private companies. Marc-André Landry is a member of the Litigation and Conflict Resolution group and focuses his practice on commercial litigation. He frequently assists his clients in resolving their disputes through negotiation, mediation or arbitration, or before the various courts of law. Over the years, he has represented businesses in many sectors, including construction, real estate, renewable energy, conventional energy, new technologies, financial services and pharmaceuticals. André Vautour practises corporate law and commercial law, and is specifically interested in corporate governance, strategic alliances, joint ventures, investment funds, and mergers and acquisitions of private companies. He also practises technology law (drafting technology development and transfer agreements, licensing agreements, distribution agreements, outsourcing agreements, and e-commerce agreements). 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.