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May 11, 2023

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May 12, 2025

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.

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May 4, 2025

C’est la fin du billet du médecin (ou presque)

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May 1, 2025

Nine Lavery lawyers recognized in the 2025 edition of Benchmark Litigation

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.

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April 30, 2025

Five partners named Canadian leaders in Infrastructure Law by Lexpert

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.

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