FEATURED WINNER
Langlois Lawyers, LLP
“I had a picture of a house, and the house was Premiere Mortgage Centre”
Kerri Reed,
Premiere Mortgage Centre
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WINNER:
Regional Law Firm of the Year - Western Canada
WINNER:
Regional Law Firm of the Year - Western Canada
www.langlois.ca
linkedin.com/company/langloisavocats
marie.remillard@langlois.ca
514 282-7847
1250 Boul. René-Lévesque Quest, 20E Etage, Montreal QC H3B 4W8, Canada
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WINNER:
Regional Law Firm of the Year - Quebec
Langlois Lawyers, LLP
Sean Griffin
Partner and Chief Executive Office
facebook.com/LangloisAvocats
@langlois_avocats
Clifford G. Proudfoot, KC
Leadership
1188 Whakue St, Rotorua Central, Rotorua
Karen L. MacMillan
Deputy Managing Partner and Chair of the Executive Committee
Leadership
Karen MacMillan is Lawson Lundell’s deputy managing partner and chair of its Executive Committee, as well as co-leader of the firm’s Mining Group. Karen practises corporate/commercial, mining, and energy law with an emphasis on commercial arrangements in the mining sector including asset-level acquisitions and dispositions; negotiation of earn-in, option, and joint venture agreements; royalty agreements; procurement, construction, and engineering agreements; and other strategic ownership arrangements. She also regularly advises clients in the energy sector in connection with the ownership and development of major power generation projects, power purchase and sale agreements, renewable energy transactions, and a variety of related commercial/contracting matters.
Deputy Managing Partner and Chair of the Executive Committee
Karen L. MacMillan
Spencer Hon
Spencer Hon
Cliff Proudfoot is the managing partner of Lawson Lundell. Cliff’s practice is focused on environmental and Indigenous litigation. His clients include companies in the forestry, manufacturing, mining, real estate development, and hydro-electric power generation industries. Cliff has represented his clients in environmental prosecutions, administrative actions, permit appeals, and environmental assessments, and has helped clients respond to a wide variety of environmental investigations and prosecutions.
Managing Partner
Clifford G. Proudfoot, KC
@LawsonLundell
Clifford G. Proudfoot, KC
Managing Partner
As an independent, forward-thinking girls’ school we are committed to preparing girls for a lifetime of learning, leadership and engagement in our global community. We believe in girls.
At Ruyton Girls’ School we foster the individuality of each girl in a caring and safe environment, nurturing her intellectual, physical, social and emotional qualities that are essential to flourish.
Powerful learning is central to the Ruyton culture, building on our strong academic reputation. We focus on advancing the learning of every girl through the engagement of intellectual curiosity, building their knowledge and skills about how to learn, and supporting them to achieve their personal best and be exemplary citizens. We believe in real-world learning beyond the classroom, collaborating with the wider community to promote growth, discovery and sustainability.
We empower our girls to lead lives of purpose with courage, character and compassion. Through the development of values and action-focused learning they are inspired to pursue equity and justice for self and others. By embracing diversity and raising their voices, our girls effect positive change and make a difference.
Bellbird Park State Secondary College (BPSSC) prides itself on providing an innovative and inclusive education experience for all learners. Our college is extraordinary because of the incredible students, parents, community partners and staff who bring it to life each day. Since opening in 2017 with 212 Year 7 students and 31 staff, the school has been on a rapid journey of student growth and staff recruitment. BPSSC now has an enrolment of 1,800 students and 150+ staff members. Located in the aspirational, multiculturally rich Ipswich community (ICSEA 953), we’re exceptionally proud to be the school of choice in our community.
At BPSSC, we’re committed to supporting the success and wellbeing of every student as they transition through each stage of learning through our high-expectations, high-support approach. In 2023, 175 First Nations students are connected and thriving at our college. Our Many Pathways, No Limits mantra extends to all students, and we provide tailored differentiated, culturally appropriate educational opportunities for our First Nations students. Our approach to First Nations education is extensive, multifaceted and a whole-school effort effecting positive systematic change and outcomes for our students.
Managing Partner
Sophie Perreault
Partner and Chair of the Board of Directors
Karen L. MacMillan
Deputy Managing Partner and Chair of the Executive Committee
Vincent de l'Étoile
Partner and Co-Head of Langlois Litigation Group
Song Song
Director, East Team
Song Song is Director of EverBright Finance’s East Team. Prior to joining the company, he gained 12 years’ experience in banking, including in leadership, lending and operations risk control roles. His most recent position was at BNZ as Regional Manager in SME Acquisition. Song’s experience and knowledge of the banking industry give him a great understanding of clients’ financial goals and how to take them there.
Song specialises in several areas, such as business and commercial lending, property finance, cash flow lending and budgeting, residential home lending, investment property lending and business planning. His proficiency in these areas enables him to provide tailored financial solutions to his clients.
Director, East Team
Song Song
Bellbird Park State Secondary College (BPSSC) prides itself on providing an innovative and inclusive education experience for all learners. Our college is extraordinary because of the incredible students, parents, community partners and staff who bring it to life each day. Since opening in 2017 with 212 Year 7 students and 31 staff, the school has been on a rapid journey of student growth and staff recruitment. BPSSC now has an enrolment of 1,800 students and 150+ staff members. Located in the aspirational, multiculturally rich Ipswich community (ICSEA 953), we’re exceptionally proud to be the school of choice in our community.
At BPSSC, we’re committed to supporting the success and wellbeing of every student as they transition through each stage of learning through our high-expectations, high-support approach. In 2023, 175 First Nations students are connected and thriving at our college. Our Many Pathways, No Limits mantra extends to all students, and we provide tailored differentiated, culturally appropriate educational opportunities for our First Nations students. Our approach to First Nations education is extensive, multifaceted and a whole-school effort effecting positive systematic change and outcomes for our students.
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Langlois Lawyers exemplifies what it means to be a regional leader: strategically driven, socially conscious, and unwaveringly client focused.
Steadily building on those foundational values, the firm once again cemented its status as a powerhouse in the Quebec legal landscape, offering full-service excellence to a diverse regional, national, and international clientele. With a robust team of over 180 professionals – bolstered by the recent onboarding of more than 25 lawyers, including partners from national firms enhancing its depth in litigation, professional liability, and collective bargaining, and a strong contingent of articling and summer students – Langlois is agile in response to rising demand.
Consistently ranked among the Top 10 Quebec Regional Law Firms, the firm caters to corporate and institutional clients in business law, civil and commercial litigation, labour and employment law, Aboriginal law, and insurance law. Expertise spans key sectors such as construction and infrastructure, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, financial services and banking, energy and environment, governance and ethics, restructuring and insolvency, taxation, intellectual property, and personal information.
Langlois’ litigation and dispute resolution team ranks among the largest in Quebec, where its lawyers expertly shepherd high-stakes matters to resolution. Its insurance practice continues to play a defining role for the firm as well, enduringly at the forefront of that industry.
One of the most consequential legal milestones last year was Langlois’ pivotal role in the recapitalization of GardaWorld, the largest private recapitalization in Canadian history. The firm’s expertise in workplace law also came to the forefront as it guided employers through sweeping legislative changes surrounding psychological harassment and sexual violence, ensuring compliant and forward-thinking workplace policies. The firm also played a key role in major industry-wide collective bargaining efforts.
In the constitutional space, Langlois achieved a notable win for Québec Maritime Services and one of its employees, successfully arguing before the Supreme Court of Canada that Quebec’s Private Security Act does not apply to federally regulated maritime terminals. The decision advanced key federalism doctrines, including interjurisdictional immunity and federal paramountcy.
Langlois also distinguished itself in legal thought leadership. Through widely attended webinars, articles, and workshops, the firm helped clients interpret pressing legal and business developments. This educational outreach reinforced Langlois’ role as a trusted advisor and influencer in the legal community.
Equity and inclusion remain priorities: women make up 41 percent of partners, 59 percent of lawyers, and 47 percent of senior leadership – significantly surpassing industry benchmarks. The firm’s commitment is also embodied in the Langlois Scholarship for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Université Laval.
That gold-standard dedication to service extends beyond the clients Langlois serves and into the broader community of which it is a part. Creating positive change through hands-on action is fundamental to the business. Calling child wellness of paramount importance, Langlois is partnered with the Marie-Vincent Foundation and the Centre de pédiatrie sociale de Québec. Believing that access to justice is a fundamental right, Langlois champions Juripop’s mission with passion and skill.
At Langlois, “full-service firm” is more than legal service delivery. The lawyers and staff strive to make meaningful change while remaining firmly at the forefront of legal excellence – and by any measure, Langlois is excelling.
Marie-Hélène Jetté
Partner
Sean Griffin’s practice focuses on high-profile complex litigation involving commercial, constitutional, and administrative law issues as well as corporate and securities matters. With recognized legal and trial expertise in defending public and private corporations, financial institutions, broker-dealers, and various corporate entities, including their directors and officers, Sean represents his clientele in a wide variety of civil and statutory proceedings, including general commercial litigation, class actions, regulatory investigations, and disciplinary matters. He also acts as strategic advisor to several clients on issues involving governance and regulatory compliance. In 2022, he was named Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.
Partner and Chief Executive Officer
Sean Griffin
Marie-Hélène Jetté has been representing and advising employers for nearly 30 years in the fields of labour and employment law, human rights and freedoms, and administrative law. She is widely recognized for her extensive experience, judicious and informed advice, and solid competence when it comes to representing employers in matters related to employment termination, psychological harassment, discrimination, labour standards, and occupational health and safety. In addition, Marie-Hélène has in-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical, hospitality, arts, distribution, and retail trade sectors. She has participated in several negotiations as an employer’s representative and frequently appears before civil courts and specialized administrative tribunals.
Partner
Marie-Hélène Jetté
Vincent de l’Étoile has extensive expertise in civil and commercial litigation, class actions, product liability, consumer law, and competition law. He leads litigation and advises and assists clients in various fields. He focuses mainly on defending the rights and interests of banking, finance, telecommunications, air transportation, and manufacturing industry clients. He regularly acts in cases that involve various commercial, strategic, and economic considerations. Vincent also assists his clients in non-contentious matters relating to the compliance of their activities, operations, and business practices.
Partner and Co-Head of Langlois’ Litigation Group
Vincent de l'Étoile
Sophie Perreault is an accomplished litigator and is recognized for her ability to lead complex files in a wide range of civil and commercial disputes and penal and regulatory proceedings. She has an impressive record in extraordinary remedies such as injunctions, mandamus proceedings, and Anton Piller orders. She has also acted in defence in class action proceedings and in constitutional matters that have been pleaded before the Supreme Court of Canada. In addition to her litigation practice, Sophie assists her clients in managing their business challenges, particularly in the areas of ethics, anti-corruption, and directors’ and officers’ liability.
Partner and Chair of the Board of Directors
Sophie Perreault
Song Song is Director of EverBright Finance’s East Team. Prior to joining the company, he gained 12 years’ experience in banking, including in leadership, lending and operations risk control roles. His most recent position was at BNZ as Regional Manager in SME Acquisition. Song’s experience and knowledge of the banking industry give him a great understanding of clients’ financial goals and how to take them there.
Song specialises in several areas, such as business and commercial lending, property finance, cash flow lending and budgeting, residential home lending, investment property lending and business planning. His proficiency in these areas enables him to provide tailored financial solutions to his clients.
Director, East Team
Song Song
Song Song is Director of EverBright Finance’s East Team. Prior to joining the company, he gained 12 years’ experience in banking, including in leadership, lending and operations risk control roles. His most recent position was at BNZ as Regional Manager in SME Acquisition. Song’s experience and knowledge of the banking industry give him a great understanding of clients’ financial goals and how to take them there.
Song specialises in several areas, such as business and commercial lending, property finance, cash flow lending and budgeting, residential home lending, investment property lending and business planning. His proficiency in these areas enables him to provide tailored financial solutions to his clients.
Director, East Team
Song Song
Song Song is Director of EverBright Finance’s East Team. Prior to joining the company, he gained 12 years’ experience in banking, including in leadership, lending and operations risk control roles. His most recent position was at BNZ as Regional Manager in SME Acquisition. Song’s experience and knowledge of the banking industry give him a great understanding of clients’ financial goals and how to take them there.
Song specialises in several areas, such as business and commercial lending, property finance, cash flow lending and budgeting, residential home lending, investment property lending and business planning. His proficiency in these areas enables him to provide tailored financial solutions to his clients.
Director, East Team
Song Song
Nicholas Davies
Senior Lawyer
Lorne MacLean, KC
Founder
Nicholas Davies is a seasoned family lawyer in British Columbia with over 30 years of experience in family law, mediation, and corporate/commercial litigation. His diverse background – including service in the Canadian Armed Forces, ski patrol, boxing, and aviation – enhances his strategic thinking, problem-solving, and courtroom skills. Specializing in complex property transactions, Nicholas is particularly skilled in advising high-net-worth clients on the financial aspects of family disputes. When not practising law, he guest-instructs in the PLTC program on real estate and family law topics.
The Hon. Keith Bracken began his career with the RCMP before earning a BA in economics and an LLB from the University of Saskatchewan. Called to the BC Bar in 1977 and the Saskatchewan Bar in 1986, he practised commercial litigation and served on the BC Provincial Court from 1991, followed by the BC Supreme Court until his retirement in 2018. He lectured at the University of Victoria for eight years and at Thompson Rivers University for three. He also co-authored British Columbia Courtroom Procedure and served as a Deputy Judge in Nunavut and Yukon. His broad legal expertise supports MacLean Law’s commitment to excellence and client care.
Lawyer
The Honourable Keith Bracken
Valérie Lemaire
Partner
Renée-Maude Vachon
Partner and Co-Head of Langlois’ Litigation Group
Catherine Biron
Partner and Head of Langlois’ Labour and Employment Law Group
Simon Chénard
Partner
Jean-Simon Deschênes
Partner and Head of Langlois’ Corporate and Commercial Law Group
Elisabeth Neelin
Partner
Vincent de l'Étoile
Partner and co-head of Langlois’ Litigation group
Sophie Perreault
Partner
Sean Griffin
Partner and Chief Executive Officer
Valérie Lemaire
Partner
Marie-Hélène Jetté
Partner
Catherine Biron
Partner
Simon Chénard
Partner
Marie-Hélène Jetté
Partner
Vincent de l'Étoile
Partner and co-head of Langlois’ Litigation group
Sophie Perreault
Partner
Sean Griffin
Partner and Chief Executive Officer
Marie-Hélène Jetté
Partner
Vincent de l'Étoile
Partner and co-head of Langlois’ Litigation group
Valérie Lemaire has more than 25 years of experience in insurance law, liability, and regulatory compliance. She represents and advises damage insurers, insurers of persons, financial institutions, insurance firms, professionals in various fields, and entrepreneurs. She regularly pleads before the courts with regard to insurance coverage, distribution of financial products and services, and ethics, as well as civil, professional, and products liability. Valérie is known for her hybrid practice in litigation and regulatory compliance. She leverages her deep knowledge of the regulations governing insurance and distribution of financial products and services in advising her clients, while factoring in all related issues.
Partner
Valérie Lemaire
Elisabeth Neelin focuses her practice on civil and commercial litigation and class action defence, touching on a wide range of matters involving all areas of commercial law, including contractual and commercial litigation. She also has substantial expertise in matters of manufacturer, product, and professional liability, as well as in consumer protection and regulatory matters. Trusted by her clients to deliver insightful and effective advice, Elisabeth leads complex business disputes both before the courts across multiple jurisdictions and in the context of alternative dispute resolution procedures. Elisabeth also assists her clients in the technology, social media, health, and manufacturing sectors.
Partner
Elisabeth Neelin
Jean-Simon Deschênes focuses his practice on transactional law, governance, and corporate finance. He represents corporations and institutions in business transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, restructuring, and financing. He leverages his extensive expertise to support many Canadian and foreign clients in a wide range of transactions in the technology, entertainment, intellectual property, bank financing, and professional services sectors. Jean-Simon is recognized for his mergers and acquisitions prowess both in Canada and abroad, and his skills in this area are highly solicited. His versatility and keen business acumen enable him to handle a slew of complex cases.
Partner and Head of Langlois’ Corporate and Commercial Law Group
Jean-Simon Deschênes
Simon Chénard advises local and international businesses of all sizes in a variety of industries on their business and legal issues. His cases primarily involve transactions, such as in connection with business purchases or sales, startups, opening a subsidiary in Canada, real estate transactions, financing arrangements, or drafting and negotiating various contracts. A very active supporter of startups, Simon is a key catalyst of the L-inc. Project, which makes affordable legal services accessible to fast-growing new businesses. Simon also coordinates the Lexmed program with a team that provides services tailored to the business needs of healthcare professionals.
Partner
Simon Chénard
Catherine Biron represents and supports employers in managing their human capital and handling any related legal, operational, structural, and strategic issues. She is recognized for her impressive expertise in employment law, human rights, labour relations, collective agreement negotiation, and occupational health and safety. She acts for a diverse clientele of unionized and non-unionized SMEs and large businesses operating under both provincial and federal regulatory jurisdictions. She advises clients at all stages of collective agreement negotiation and acts as a negotiator. If it is impossible to prevent a dispute from going before the court, she continues to support clients pre-litigation, including during mediation and conciliation.
Partner and Head of Langlois’ Labour and Employment Law Group
Catherine Biron
Renée-Maude Vachon focuses her practice on civil and professional liability, primarily in the fields of real estate and construction. She gives clients strategic advice in conflict situations ahead of litigation and represents them before all levels of civil court if the dispute is taken to court. She is known for her pragmatism and efficiency, and tailors her approach to each client’s needs. She sits on the Bar of Québec City’s Board of Directors and is active in the community, particularly in the areas of education and immigration.
Partner and Co-Head of Langlois’ Litigation Group
Renée-Maude Vachon
Sean Griffin’s practice focuses on high-profile complex litigation involving commercial, constitutional, and administrative law issues as well as corporate and securities matters. With recognized legal and trial expertise in defending public and private corporations, financial institutions, broker-dealers, and various corporate entities, including their directors and officers, Sean represents his clientele in a wide variety of civil and statutory proceedings, including general commercial litigation, class actions, regulatory investigations, and disciplinary matters. He also acts as strategic advisor to several clients on issues involving governance and regulatory compliance. In 2022, he was named Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.
Partner and Chief Executive Officer
Sean Griffin
Valérie Lemaire has more than 25 years of experience in insurance law, liability, and regulatory compliance. She represents and advises damage insurers, insurers of persons, financial institutions, insurance firms, professionals in various fields, and entrepreneurs. She regularly pleads before the courts with regard to insurance coverage, distribution of financial products and services, and ethics, as well as civil, professional, and products liability. Valérie is known for her hybrid practice in litigation and regulatory compliance. She leverages her deep knowledge of the regulations governing insurance and distribution of financial products and services in advising her clients, while factoring in all related issues.
Partner
Valérie Lemaire
Elisabeth Neelin focuses her practice on civil and commercial litigation and class action defence, touching on a wide range of matters involving all areas of commercial law, including contractual and commercial litigation. She also has substantial expertise in matters of manufacturer, product, and professional liability, as well as in consumer protection and regulatory matters. Trusted by her clients to deliver insightful and effective advice, Elisabeth leads complex business disputes both before the courts across multiple jurisdictions and in the context of alternative dispute resolution procedures. Elisabeth also assists her clients in the technology, social media, health, and manufacturing sectors.
Partner
Elisabeth Neelin
Valérie Lemaire has more than 25 years of experience in insurance law, liability, and regulatory compliance. She represents and advises damage insurers, insurers of persons, financial institutions, insurance firms, professionals in various fields, and entrepreneurs. She regularly pleads before the courts with regard to insurance coverage, distribution of financial products and services, and ethics, as well as civil, professional, and products liability. Valérie is known for her hybrid practice in litigation and regulatory compliance. She leverages her deep knowledge of the regulations governing insurance and distribution of financial products and services in advising her clients, while factoring in all related issues.
Partner
Valérie Lemaire
Jean-Simon Deschênes focuses his practice on transactional law, governance, and corporate finance. He represents corporations and institutions in business transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, restructuring, and financing. He leverages his extensive expertise to support many Canadian and foreign clients in a wide range of transactions in the technology, entertainment, intellectual property, bank financing, and professional services sectors. Jean-Simon is recognized for his mergers and acquisitions prowess both in Canada and abroad, and his skills in this area are highly solicited. His versatility and keen business acumen enable him to handle a slew of complex cases.
Partner and head of Langlois’ Corporate and Commercial Law group
Jean-Simon Deschênes
Simon Chénard advises local and international businesses of all sizes in a variety of industries on their business and legal issues. His cases primarily involve transactions, such as in connection with business purchases or sales, startups, opening a subsidiary in Canada, real estate transactions, financing arrangements, or drafting and negotiating various contracts. A very active supporter of startups, Simon is a key catalyst of the L-inc. Project, which makes affordable legal services accessible to fast-growing new businesses. Simon also coordinates the Lexmed program with a team that provides services tailored to the business needs of healthcare professionals.
Partner
Simon Chénard
Sean Griffin’s practice focuses on high-profile complex litigation involving commercial, constitutional, and administrative law issues as well as corporate and securities matters. With recognized legal and trial expertise in defending public and private corporations, financial institutions, broker-dealers, and various corporate entities, including their directors and officers, Sean represents his clientele in a wide variety of civil and statutory proceedings, including general commercial litigation, class actions, regulatory investigations, and disciplinary matters. He also acts as strategic advisor to several clients on issues involving governance and regulatory compliance. In 2022, he was named Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.
Partner and Chief Executive Officer
Sean Griffin
Valérie Lemaire has more than 25 years of experience in insurance law, liability, and regulatory compliance. She represents and advises damage insurers, insurers of persons, financial institutions, insurance firms, professionals in various fields, and entrepreneurs. She regularly pleads before the courts with regard to insurance coverage, distribution of financial products and services, and ethics, as well as civil, professional, and products liability. Valérie is known for her hybrid practice in litigation and regulatory compliance. She leverages her deep knowledge of the regulations governing insurance and distribution of financial products and services in advising her clients, while factoring in all related issues.
Partner
Valérie Lemaire
Elisabeth Neelin focuses her practice on civil and commercial litigation and class action defence, touching on a wide range of matters involving all areas of commercial law, including contractual and commercial litigation. She also has substantial expertise in matters of manufacturer, product, and professional liability, as well as in consumer protection and regulatory matters. Trusted by her clients to deliver insightful and effective advice, Elisabeth leads complex business disputes both before the courts across multiple jurisdictions and in the context of alternative dispute resolution procedures. Elisabeth also assists her clients in the technology, social media, health, and manufacturing sectors.
Partner
Elisabeth Neelin
Elisabeth Neelin focuses her practice on civil and commercial litigation and class action defence, touching on a wide range of matters involving all areas of commercial law, including contractual and commercial litigation. She also has substantial expertise in matters of manufacturer, product, and professional liability, as well as in consumer protection and regulatory matters. Trusted by her clients to deliver insightful and effective advice, Elisabeth leads complex business disputes both before the courts across multiple jurisdictions and in the context of alternative dispute resolution procedures. Elisabeth also assists her clients in the technology, social media, health, and manufacturing sectors.
Partner
Elisabeth Neelin
Jean-Simon Deschênes focuses his practice on transactional law, governance, and corporate finance. He represents corporations and institutions in business transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, restructuring, and financing. He leverages his extensive expertise to support many Canadian and foreign clients in a wide range of transactions in the technology, entertainment, intellectual property, bank financing, and professional services sectors. Jean-Simon is recognized for his mergers and acquisitions prowess both in Canada and abroad, and his skills in this area are highly solicited. His versatility and keen business acumen enable him to handle a slew of complex cases.
Partner and head of Langlois’ Corporate and Commercial Law group
Jean-Simon Deschênes
Simon Chénard advises local and international businesses of all sizes in a variety of industries on their business and legal issues. His cases primarily involve transactions, such as in connection with business purchases or sales, startups, opening a subsidiary in Canada, real estate transactions, financing arrangements, or drafting and negotiating various contracts. A very active supporter of startups, Simon is a key catalyst of the L-inc. Project, which makes affordable legal services accessible to fast-growing new businesses. Simon also coordinates the Lexmed program with a team that provides services tailored to the business needs of healthcare professionals.
Partner
Simon Chénard