Heenan Blaikie Recruits 16 New Lawyers in Paris

MONTREAL and PARIS, January 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Heenan Blaikie is pleased to announce that on January 1, 2011, 16 new lawyers have joined its Paris office. This important development occurs a little more than one year after the launching of Heenan Blaikie's activities in Paris.

The lawyers who are joining Heenan Blaikie were previously working in the Paris office of another large international firm. They are Mtres Jean-François Mercadier, T. Alexander Brabant, Pascale Gallien, Anne-Sylvie Vassenaix-Paxton, Ali Boroumand and Karen Leclerc, partners, along with 10 associates.

Heenan Blaikie - Paris is now among the leading international business law firms operating in France. The Paris office will specialize in business law - commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, financing and restructurings - as well as in litigation and international arbitration, while putting emphasis on international markets and trade relations with Africa, Europe and America.

Roy L. Heenan, Founding Partner and Chairman of Heenan Blaikie, explains the rationale behind this decision to expand the firm's operations. "Our business activities in Europe and Africa had been growing at such a tremendous pace that we needed a larger presence in Paris. This expansion represents an important step of our international growth strategy. It will enable our clients to benefit from the services of 16 experienced lawyers who will assist them in their operations and development in Europe and Africa. In addition, French clients will now be in direct contact with one of the largest law firms in Canada."

"The lawyers in our Paris office have been chosen because they share our culture, which is based on service excellence."

Jean-François Mercadier, Managing Partner of the Paris office, conveys very well the enthusiasm of his new Heenan Blaikie colleagues. "From our initial contacts with our friends at Heenan Blaikie, we were struck by the firm's culture and values, which emphasize collaboration and nimbleness. During the course of our conversations, we soon became excited about the projects we could implement together. We are convinced that clients will benefit from our decision to choose Heenan Blaikie."

"Heenan Blaikie has a lot going for it. The firm's entrepreneurial spirit gives it the ability to relentlessly explore new markets. The French and English cultures, as well as civil law and common law traditions exist in harmony at Heenan Blaikie; our integration to the firm will help reinforce these qualities. In a globalized economy, these factors have guided our decision."

Since its inception, Heenan Blaikie has grown progressively to over 550 lawyers and professionals in its nine offices in Canada, its Paris office and Singapore representative office. The firm provides sought-after expertise in business law, labour and employment law, litigation, tax law, intellectual property and entertainment law.

    
    For further information:
    Guy Tremblay
    National Co-managing Partner
    Heenan Blaikie
    +1-514-846-2271
    gtremblay@heenan.ca

    Marie Rémillard
    Director
    Marketing and Business Development
    Heenan Blaikie
    +1-514-846-2297
    mremillard@heenan.ca

    Jean-François Mercadier
    Managing Partner - Paris office
    Heenan Blaikie
    +011-33(0)1-40-69-26-52
    jfmercadier@heenanblaikie.com