Dispute Resolution: Québec: Canada

THE FIRM This firm has an impressive depth of litigation capabilities in its Montréal office, and is widely acclaimed for its involvement in top cases throughout the province. The group has considerable experience in matters involving the energy, mining and infrastructure industries, in addition to the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. The team also excels in cross-border class actions, competition cases, defamation, medical malpractice and shareholder disputes. Highlights include representing Westco Group in connection with a refusal to deal case, and defending Hydro-Québec in a dispute with Churchill Falls (Labrador) concerning the price paid for electricity. The team's portfolio of clients also includes BCE, Royal Bank of Canada and Québecor.

Sources say: "A top-tier firm of the highest possible standing." "They do exemplary work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Arbitration specialist Pierre Bienvenu, Ad E is the leader of Norton Rose's global international arbitration practice. He also advises on commercial litigation, and recently represented BCE in a CAD1.2 billion claim against Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan relating to an aborted transaction.

Christine Carron, Ad E is a highly regarded lawyer whose broad practice encompasses class actions, banking cases and product liability disputes.

Jean Bertrand, Ad E impresses with his expertise in energy, transportation and competition issues.

William Hesler QC "is a very experienced and diligent litigator" with considerable experience in cases relating to the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors.

THE FIRM This top-tier firm wins praise for its representation of clients in high-profile disputes in Québec. Its areas of focus include insolvency, product liability, competition and securities litigation. The Montréal team also has extensive experience in class actions proceedings, and defended Facebook against a proposed class action relating to its privacy policies. Other notable matters include advising PwC on an insolvency case and representing the Canadian Bankers Association before the Québec Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada regarding the creation of a national securities regulator. The team also advises Amex Bank, Gaz Métro and GM.

Sources say: "Their litigation arm is tightly teamed up – it's a concentrated powerhouse." "A stellar team without a doubt."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Suzanne Côté heads the Montréal litigation group and is highly regarded for her expertise in real estate, securities, bankruptcy and shareholder disputes. "She is respected by all," say sources.

George Hendy's areas of focus include product liability, competition and pensions litigation. He is also noted for his considerable experience in class actions.

Sylvain Lussier is "a very experienced senior litigator" who advises on class actions, pensions and benefits, and Aboriginal litigation. In highlights, he represented Irving Oil in two class actions involving price-fixing claims.

Silvana Conte is acclaimed for her experience in a wide range of disputes, including franchise, banking, securities and product liability litigation.

THE FIRM The Québec arm of this highly regarded national team is heavily engaged in product liability and restructuring cases, and has additional expertise in areas including competition, insurance and securities litigation. The team advised the co-founder of Guess Jeans on the seizure of his assets in relation to a cross-border insolvency case. It also represented Bombardier in a dispute with Eagle Globe Management relating to the company's Global Express business jet. Other key clients include AbitibiBowater, CIBC and Alstom.

Sources say: "We've had excellent experiences with their litigation group."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The experienced Louis Bélanger comes highly recommended for his expertise in environmental, competition and securities litigation.

Yves Martineau is noted for his focus on insurance, construction and technology-related litigation. He also defends financial institutions, manufacturers and other companies in class actions.

Eric Mongeau is singled out for his client service skills and strategic approach. He recently represented Canada Bread in a pensions dispute with the Régie des rentes du Québec.

Michel Décary QC is an expert in competition, construction and insurance litigation. His practice also covers class actions, securities cases and public law.

THE FIRM This group is commended for its experience in complex corporate and commercial litigation, and specialises in high-profile tax cases, appellate work and class actions. The Québec team also excels in securities, fraud and media disputes. Highlights include representing the Montréal Expos in tax litigation relating to employer contributions to the Québec Health Services Fund, and acting for Metromedia CMR Broadcasting in a defamation class action brought by taxi drivers in Montréal.

Sources say: "An impressive depth of talent."

KEY INDIVIDUALS William Brock, Ad E is described as "a high-calibre lawyer" and is noted for his expertise in securities, fraud and shareholder disputes. He also has significant experience in media-related cases.

Guy Du Pont, Ad E impresses clients with the quality of his work and is regarded as "a highly rated litigator who is very well respected by the courts." His experience covers class actions, tax cases and environmental disputes.

THE FIRM This notable litigation boutique enjoys a strong presence in Québec due to its continued involvement in complex corporate and commercial disputes. Areas of expertise include real estate, construction, securities and employment litigation. In addition, the team is recognised for its work relating to constitutional and administrative law. The group is also active in class actions, and represented JTI Macdonald in the tobacco-related class action litigation in Québec. Other significant mandates include acting for Mercer International in a case involving its takeover bid for Fibrek.

Sources say: "They are very active and well-respected practitioners."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Kalichman earns widespread praise as a "very calm and trustworthy litigator." He is an expert in real estate, product liability and construction litigation. His practice also covers class actions, and he advises in both English and French.

Douglas Mitchell is "an excellent lawyer – he is fierce, always competent, and of the highest order." He is highly regarded for his corporate and commercial litigation practice.

THE FIRM This Montréal-based litigation boutique earns praise for its expertise in shareholder and contract disputes. It is also rated for the breadth of its experience in professional liability, competition and insolvency cases. Class action litigation and arbitration are further areas of focus for the firm.

Sources say: "A terrific firm and a major competitor."

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Woods has a strong reputation for both litigation and arbitration, and is noted by peers as a lawyer who "attracts very good work."

Christopher Richter handles both domestic and international disputes, and is highlighted for his securities, class action, professional liability and employment expertise.

THE FIRM The litigators in the Montréal office of this national firm are acclaimed for their expertise in a variety of fields. The team's specialisations include competition, IP, energy and environmental cases. It also has considerable experience in construction, media and product liability litigation. Highlights include representing Sanimax Industries in an environmental class action, and acting for Citibank in a consumer fraud case. The group's impressive client portfolio also includes Amway Canada, Coca-Cola and Ford.

Sources say: "An excellent service-oriented firm."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Torralbo is "clearly one of the best in the field," according to his peers. Sources note: "He always plays the necessary role, and puts the best interests of the client first." Highlights include acting for Microsoft on a class action relating to the Xbox 360 game system.

Réal Forest's expertise covers a broad range of litigation, including competition, environmental and construction disputes. He recently defended the City of Montréal in a CAD63 million lawsuit following the cancellation of a significant construction project.

THE FIRM This firm is recognised for its focus on commercial fraud cases, banking and financial services disputes and class action proceedings. Other types of litigation covered by the team in Montréal include professional liability, product liability and defamation. It also has notable expertise in ADR, including both arbitration and mediation. Highlights include defending Royal Bank of Canada in a class action involving negligence claims, and representing JTI Macdonald in the tobacco-related class action in Québec. Other notable clients include the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Guy Pratte divides his time between the firm's offices in Toronto, Ottawa and Montréal. He is singled out for the depth of his experience and is considered to be "at the top of the field" by his peers. Sources say: "He's always involved in major cases." 

Robert Charbonneau is rated for his class action expertise. Other areas of focus include insurance, professional liability and product liability disputes. He also advises on civil liability in aviation matters.

THE FIRM This group is singled out for its strength in product liability class actions, professional liability, construction law and franchise litigation. It also has extensive expertise in international arbitration, with a focus on investment dispute arbitration. Notable cases include representing ABB in a construction dispute with Pomerleau, and advising ten former Dunkin' Donuts franchisees on a lawsuit with their franchiser for contractual breach. 

Sources say: "They provide us with a good and timely service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Dominique Gibbens advises on banking, construction and product liability litigation in addition to public law. 

Marc-André Fabien has extensive experience in shareholder and securities cases. He recently acted for Québecor Media on a dispute with Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal.

Eric Simard is the head of the commercial litigation department in Montréal and the leader of the firm's construction practice group.

THE FIRM This firm has a strong track record in Québec, advising on securities litigation, public and administrative cases and class actions. The team is also acclaimed for its ADR experience. Highlights include representing Facebook in a CAD1 billion damages claim relating to more than 4 million spamming occurrences, and acting for the tax authority of Québec in two significant gold trade fraud cases. Other clients include PwC, Financière Banque Nationale and Loto Québec.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Yvan Bolduc, Ad E earns widespread praise for his defamation and professional liability practice. He continues to represent Coopers & Lybrand in the Castor Holdings case.

Marie-Josée Hogue is considered "a fabulous lawyer" with considerable experience in shareholder, securities and professional liability disputes. Her clients include Hydro-Québec and Urgence Santé.

THE FIRM The Montréal branch of McCarthy Tétrault's national litigation practice offers expertise in a range of matters, including professional liability, IP, competition and employment. The group also has an active class action practice, and has significant experience in resource-related cases. Notably, it represented Danone in judicial review proceedings concerning the entry of US yoghurt into the Canadian dairy market. Other key clients include AstraZeneca, Merck and PepsiCo.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Simon Potter is "a very prominent barrister" and a "spectacular trial lawyer." He represents Rothman's Benson & Hedges in the Québec healthcare cost recovery action brought against the tobacco industry.

André Payeur earns praise for his commercial litigation and class actions practice. His work highlights include defending Merck in personal injury class actions connected to Vioxx.

THE FIRM This group is recommended for its expertise in insolvency, construction, real estate and professional liability litigation. The firm is also active in class action proceedings, and houses a highly regarded ADR practice. Significant clients include Aéroport de Montréal, Aecon and Université du Québec à Montréal.

Sources say: "Highly effective lawyers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Key partners in the Montréal office include Pierre Grenier, Claude Morency and Catherine Pilon.

THE FIRM This Montréal-based firm handles securities, IP and product liability disputes, and is acknowledged for its strength in class action defence work. Notable mandates include advising SNC-Lavalin on a class action involving contamination claims, and acting for Pfizer on a lawsuit relating to the drug Neurontin. The team also represents Gaz Métro, Yahoo! and Maple Leaf Foods, and a large number of insurance companies.

Sources say: "A firm which produces high-quality work consistently."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Louis Charette is a key contact.