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.” Firmly established as one the only true regionally focused outfits in the province, Langlois boasts equal 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.” Another peer observes, “They took on a few people from [a major national firm] and got some great people who wanted a different environment.” 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!”
Montréal’s Vincent de L’Étoile stands out for his position as one of the city’s most recognized and revered class-action practitioners. “Everybody loves Vincent,” asserts a peer. “He has been quite successful in getting some major files.” Another concurs, “He has really developed a nice space for himself there, and done it at a relatively young age, so he’s got plenty of time to take it further.” De L’Etoile represents WestJet in a class action pertaining to the pricing of seat selection upon purchasing a plane ticket or checking-in for a flight, seeking a national class, alleging various breaches of consumer protection legislation and misrepresentation in the offering and sale of seat selection.Sean Griffin is another Langlois partner who is routinely namechecked by Montréal peers. “Sean is doing a great job putting his firm forward more for commercial litigation, he’s attracting this work.” Griffin has also had several wins in the constitutional law space.
He has been representing SMQ and an security officer employee, which started with an inquiry from the Bureau de la sécurité privée and led to penal proceedings before the courts against SMQ for offenses for carrying on a private security activity without holding an agent license and for employing a person who does not hold an agent license pursuant to the Quebec Private Security Act. In defense, Griffin launched a constitutional challenge contesting the applicability and operability of the Act to SMQ, the operator of a maritime terminal. In May 2025, the Supreme Court of Canada rendered a unanimous decision granting the clients’ appeal and reversing the Court of Appeal’s decision. The Supreme Court of Canada found the Act to be constitutionally inapplicable to the operator of a maritime terminal and its security officers. Accordingly, the penal proceedings against SMQ and the employee were dismissed.
Jean-François Gagnon is addressed by a client as “one of the most respected insurance lawyers in Québec and perhaps even in Canada. He provides legal opinions and is an excellent litigator, but what sets him apart is his strategic advice and practical knowledge of the insurance industry.” Elisabeth Neelin is cheered as “an expert in class-action lawsuits,” by a client, who notes, “She has a strategic and practical approach to this type of litigation.” Insolvency specialist
Gerry Apostolatos is addressed by a client as “an experienced, responsive and good court presence on the tobacco hearings in the Quebec Superior Court and the Court of Appeal.”
Gabriel Querry, a younger partner and a relatively recent addition to Langlois, enjoys a rising profile on the strength of a vibrant white-collar crime practice.
