In 2013, Lavery is celebrating 100 years of service to its clients. Founded in Quebec City in 1913, the firm has grown steadily to become Quebec’s leading independent law firm, with offices in Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa.
Throughout its history, Lavery has had strong leaders with a deep understanding of the law, strategic vision and keen business acumen.
“Lavery’s influence extends right across Quebec. Over the years, many of our people have been involved in issues that have profoundly affected our society and they have left an enduring mark on our profession. Our firm has always been at the forefront of practice areas that are emerging in response to our clients’ needs and an ever-changing business environment”, said Don McCarty, Managing Partner of the firm.
Our people have made Lavery what it is. Pioneers such as Onésime Gagnon, John L. O’Brien and Jacques de Billy, and Elizabeth C. Monk, the first woman to practise law in Quebec. Visionaries such as Harold Tansey and Louis-Philippe and A. Jean de Grandpré. Individuals and leaders with distinguished legal careers such as J. Vincent O’Donnell, Claude Lavery, Robert W. Mason, Pierre Cantin, Pierre Beaudoin, André Laurin, Michel Yergeau, Richard F. Dolan and Élise Poisson. Our story was written by individuals who had a vision for the future and a commitment to attract and develop new talent.
“Since its inception, all of the firm’s decisions have been made with a single goal in mind: to support our clients and contribute to their success. Over the decades, the law has evolved to address new realities, and so have we. For example, we have pioneered new areas of practice focused on environmental protection, public law, access to information and the protection of personal information”, added André Vautour, Chairman of the Board.
The legal community has acknowledged the calibre of our jurists by selecting dozens of judges from within our ranks, including the Honourable Richard Wagner, Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, and the Honourable Jacques Chamberland, Justice of the Court of Appeal of Québec. In similar fashion, Lavery lawyers have been sought out by the business community to serve as corporate counsel in some of Canada’s leading companies.
For more information, please consult the Centennial Brochure in the “Lavery: Your Business Fair and Square for 100 Years” section of the firm’s website Lavery.ca.