A new entry into Benchmark Canada in this edition (and, with only 25 years of history a relatively young firm), BCF Business Law has made inroads in the Québec market via its offices in Montréal, its larger office, as well as Québec City. A full-service business firm, its litigation practice is considered an “umbrella” group, divided into several relatively independent teams and decidedly focused primarily on mid-market and more entrepreneurial clients. “They are known for taking entities from the basement to the IPO,” states a peer. On a more recognizable level, the firm acted on behalf of Hydro-Québec and Société d’énergie de la Baie-James in a $33 million claim by a general contractor for various claim posts including, but not limited to, different geological conditions, additional requests, unforeseen works and additional equipment maintenance. (The case was closed when the Supreme Court denied hearing it in December 2020.) Montréal-based Andre Ryan chairs the litigation umbrella group and maintains his own practice that blends class action and arbitration work. “Andre has been around the block forever and he’s very talented. He’s a recent (2017) ACTL member,” testifies a peer. Ryan acted on behalf of a former executive officer of a publicly traded pharmaceutical corporation in connection with statutory and civil securities actions brought against him by individual shareholders and major institutional investors following a drop in share price and the issuance of corrective disclosures by the defendant company. Statutory and civil actions have also emerged as opt-out claims following the authorization (certification) of a class action that raises substantially similar claims. Ryan is also acting on behalf of a Canadian natural resources company in an arbitration proceeding instituted pursuant to NAFTA, whose foraging licenses were revoked without compensation by the Government of Québec. The arbitration proceedings are ongoing, with supplemental written and oral submissions scheduled for 2021.
