Named after a since-deceased but legendary (certainly within the Québec legal community) founding partner, Langlois is unique among firms within the province. As one peer explains, “Although Langlois is not a ‘boutique,’ they really do have more of a litigation focus, unlike some of the other firms [in Montréal], which are more business firms.” Langlois is also one of the few litigation-centric firms in the province to have ample bench strength in Québec City as well as its Montréal base. The firm also offers litigation services that are more attuned to certain specialties, particularly insurance and labor and employment, than several of its other Québec competitors. Peers also confide that the firm “is getting aggressive in hiring and building. They took on numerous partners from [now-defunct] Heenan Blaikie a few years ago and have been pulling in partners from all over town ever since. They are very regional, which allows them to focus all of their energies on Québéc, [they are] one of the only firms of their size doing this. I suspect they get a lot of referrals from firms that don’t have offices in the province.” Speaking to the firm’s key specialties, one peer notes, “Langlois has a strong insurance practice. They have quite a few people doing that. They got in on that panel side and have been aggressive on rates and have been able to develop a following there. I definitely see them.” Clients weigh in on the firm’s behalf as well. “The top-tier stars at Langlois are an amazing value for the money,” testifies one. “They have some incredibly smart people who are easy to work with and just get things done. They know how to
manage the case!”
Exemplifying the firm’s capabilities in its Québec City office, Ariane-Sophie Blais makes her debut in this edition of Benchmark. Blais represents the Compagnie d’Arrimage de Québec in an environmental class action for neighborhood disturbances. The case was settled after a 50-day trial during which eight experts and more than 60 witnesses were heard. Members of the class – more than 30,000 people – were claiming damages for annoyances and inconveniences related to a dust problem over a period of 10 years, as well as injunctive relief to modify or cease certain solid bulk (salt, sugar, iron, nickel and other ores) shipment activities of Compagnie d'Arrimage de Québec in the Port of Québec. In the Montréal office,
Vincent de L’Etoile earns plaudits from peers in the class-action space on a near unanimous basis. de L’Etoile represents Bell Canada in a proposed class action pertaining to the legality of Bell Canada’s door-to-door sales process and their compliance with the Consumer Protection Act. The Superior Court authorized (certified) the class action, which the Court of Appeal refused to revisit, but de L’Etoile was successful in striking causes of action and streamlining the scope and parameters of the dispute. de L’Etoile also acts for Desjardins in a proposed class action alleging that the health and dental insurance offered by Desjardins Financial Security to college and university students through their student associations is contravening the regulatory framework and improperly offered and entered into. Danielle Ferron, a Montréal commercial litigator with a broad practice that encompasses class actions, is cheered by a client, who testifies, “She prepares her witnesses in an exceptional way, and she has an extraordinary spirit.” Jean-Francois Gagnon and
Elisabeth Neelin act as lead counsel for two insurers involved in a series of class actions alleging sexual abuse. The mandate includes the determination of the applicable insurance coverage and the representation of the insurers' interests during the proceedings and the negotiation of settlements.
