Miller Thomson, Canada’s Business Law firm, is pleased to announce the addition of 7 new lawyers from the Sodavex team to its Montréal office on September 2, expanding the Firm’s national Environmental Law group. This growth reinforces Miller Thomson’s ability to provide clients with insightful solutions on environmental, expropriation, and regulatory matters at a time when businesses, government bodies, and communities across Canada face increasingly complex compliance, sustainability, and risk management challenges.
Christine Duchaine joins our Litigation Group as Partner with more than 35 years of experience in environmental law in Quebec. Named Environmental Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in 2022, Christine was involved in major transactions and litigation matters that have shaped the province’s environmental and administrative law. Her practice spans expropriation, waste management, land rehabilitation, energy production, mining, environmental assessment and authorizations, urban planning as well as real estate development. For the past 15 years, she has been ranked nationally in Chambers, Lexpert, and Best Lawyers.
Yves Dulude, joining as Counsel, has more than 35 years of experience in administrative, commercial, and real estate law, advising Crown corporations, oil and mining companies, insurers, and real estate owners. Yves is recognized nationally for his expertise in urgent proceedings and Indigenous claims negotiation. He is also deeply knowledgeable on natural environment issues and has a keen interest in the water sector.
Christine and Yves are Partners at Sodavex, a boutique law firm recognized Canada-wide in environmental, expropriation, municipal, and regulatory law. The five Sodavex Associates – Johanna Barrière, Annabelle Marcotte, Thierry Méance, Samuel Rousseau-Mascolo and Laurence Simard – are also joining the Firm, further increasing our bench strength in these fields.
“Christine and her team provide us the expertise needed to tackle the complex environmental issues our clients face every day across Canada,” says Adam Stephens, Chair of Disputes, at Miller Thomson. “Their collective experience will help us better support clients through regulatory changes.”
“We are thrilled to join Miller Thomson,” declares Christine Duchaine, Partner, Environmental Law. “With its national reach with deep local roots, its focus on entrepreneurship and complementary practices, the Firm is the ideal home for our team. This alignment allows us to better support our clients, respond to the growing demand for environmental law services, and deliver practical, business-focused solutions across Canada.”
Philipp Park, Quebec Regional Managing Partner at Miller Thomson, adds, “Christine and her team bring the practical knowledge and extensive experience our clients rely on. Their expertise positions us well to handle the evolving challenges in environmental law, giving us the seasoned bench strength needed to deliver impactful results.”
“We’re excited to welcome these new lateral hires to our Montréal office at Miller Thomson,” says Claudia Desjardins Bélisle, Managing Partner of the Montréal office. “Their varied backgrounds and fresh perspectives will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and respond proactively to our clients’ complex environmental law needs.”