Canadian Lawyer

w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m M A R C H 2 0 1 8 35 tion over the next few years. "The aggressive methods of our gov- ernments in the last few years in their collection efforts have led to a very strong field of work in the tax litigation [area] and I think that that's a field where oppor- tunities are going to grow over the next few years," he says. As technology and the economy changes, so does the legal system. Delega- tus was the survey's ninth-rated firm and, for its 13-year history, it has branded itself as alternative in structure and methods. While traditional firms have a partner- ship model, Delegatus is a corporation led not by partners but president and sole shareholder Pascale Pageau. They call their lawyers entrepreneurs who have their own independent practices and are not employees or partners in the firm. Pageau says this arrangement gives the lawyers more freedom at and away from work. There is a "no-billable target policy," says Virginie Arbour-Maynard, director of development at Delegatus, in an email. Pageau says Delegatus' model gives more autonomy to the lawyers, allowing for a more desirable work-life balance. "For some, they have kids and they want to have also part of life. But now, more and more people are looking to have a perfect balanced life," she says. Pageau says her firm's placement on the list means its business model works. "When we entered into the market in 2005, we were completely different. We were pioneers regarding a new business model." says Pageau. "So, for us, it is a great recognition for what we did." Pageau's firm places in-house counsel in companies on an as-needed basis. She says companies are beefing up their legal departments and it is a buyer's market for legal services. To attract clients, she says, lawyers need to expand their expertise. "Lawyers, they need to go beyond law. They need to have an understanding of the business that they are involved with," Pageau says. "I think the role of a lawyer is changing. We need to be much, much more than a lawyer." While AI and the future are surging in Quebec, an old industry is resurging. After the Charbonneau Commission sought to root out corruption, heaps of public con- tracts will be doled out in coming years. The Quebec government has pledged $91 billion in infrastructure spending over the next decade. Trudel says the market has been re- energized since the Charbonneau Com- mission, which was an investigation into the corruption surrounding public con- struction contracts in Quebec. "All of the players in the construction industry cleaned up their act in the last three years. So we're running an industry that's a lot more clean, that's a lot more transparent, that plays by the rules," says Lalanne. Apostolatos says the government should implement the Charbonneau rec- ommendations. "I think that government should move much more forcefully in implementing the recommendations of the Charbonneau Commission," he says. "But, obviously, our legislative process, sometimes, is a bit slower. But I don't question the good faith of our government representatives in wanting to do what has to be done." The province will be building an auto- mated electrical train system in Montreal over the next three years, which will be a multi-billion-dollar project and create a lot of business for firms. The planned Réseau électrique métropolitain will be built by the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Qué- bec, the province's pension fund manager. "There is going to be a rainfall of expropriation claims in this project over the next 12 months, I would say," says Lalanne. Total lawyers: 183 Lawyers by office: Montreal, 127; Quebec City, 22; Sherbrooke, 23; Trois-Rivières, 11 Core practice areas and notable mandates: business transactions/ mergers and acquisitions; taxation; litigation and dispute resolution (class actions, commercial/restructuring, insolvency and banking/civil); labour and employment; financing and financial services; insurance Key clients: La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, SigmaSanté, Bank of Montreal, Hydro-Québec Lavery advised Eolectric on its project management of the Biomont 4.8 MW biogas-powered co-generation power plant through all stages of the project. The firm represented the company in the acquisition, by Eolectric, Valeco Énergie Québec Inc. and Fondaction CSN, of the bio- gas-fuelled cogeneration facility project. Since then, the firm has been with the development, the equity debt and the closing of the financing of this project. The firm advised Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd in the acquisition of a high-quality precious metals portfolio of assets consisting of 74 royal- ties, streams and precious metal offtakes from Orion Mine Finance Group in exchange for total consideration of $1.125 billion, consisting of $675 million cash and the issuance of 30,906,594 shares of Osisko. Lavery represented Logistec Corporation, a marine and environ- mental services provider, in the acquisition of 51 per cent of all of the issued and outstanding voting shares of FER-PAL Construction Ltd. The purchase price comprised a cash payment of $41.5 million and the issuance of 230,747 Class B subordinate voting shares in the share capi- tal of Logistec. Lavery represented Broccolini Construction Inc. as part of a $140-million syndicated construction and long-term financing related to the Radio Canada New House project located in Montreal. Star alumni: Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada Richard Wagner The firm: Lavery celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013. It was found- ed in Quebec City by Onésime Gagnon and Maurice Dupré in 1913. The firm began practising primarily in insurance law before branching out into other areas. Jacques de Billy, a litigator and scholar, joined the firm in 1938 and Claude Lavery, who was a labour law specialist, was added in 1966. "Thoughtful legal advice strategically crafted to facilitate clients' decision-making. Through its network of connections with key decision- makers and regulators, the firm makes a difference in fostering success for its clients." "Wealth of market intelligence in all sectors of the Quebec economy." "Depth of experience and expertise in a wide-ranging set of fields, which may be easily tapped to help manage legal risk efficiently in an operational environment that is governed by very specific rules within Canada." 1 LAVERY DE BILLY LLP LAVERY.CA

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