Miller Thomson LLP deepens Québec presence with strategic expansion

Move strengthens corporate legal services for Québec business in domestic and international markets

TORONTO, Jan. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - National law firm Miller Thomson LLP is expanding its Montréal office with the addition of respected lawyer Michel La Roche, a specialist in business restructuring and finance. His colleagues Michel d'Amours and Jean-François Gauvin will also be joining the firm. The move is considered strategic in light of the continued demand for financial and business consultancy services in Québec's competitive market.

"The expansion of our Montréal office will extend and deepen our presence in Québec, and strengthens our footprint as a truly national law firm," said Gerald Courage, Chair of Miller Thomson. "Our goal is to offer the broadest network of specialized local knowledge and expertise among national law firms in the country."

Michel La Roche and his partners Michel d'Amours and Jean-François Gauvin bring more than 35 years of experience, not only in business restructuring and finance but also in commercial and corporate law. Mr. La Roche is also featured in the 2013 list of Best Lawyers in Canada as one of the top lawyers specializing in insolvency.

"Joining a national law firm will allow our clientele to pursue further opportunities in Québec and across Canada," said Michel La Roche. "Our specialized team, combined with leading experts and support staff at Miller Thomson, will provide an even greater variety of services to a growing caseload of clients."

"We have been committed to the Québec market for sixty years," said Louis-Michel Tremblay, Office Managing Partner, Miller Thomson Montréal. "The growth of these key practice areas is designed to deepen our ability to support the interests of commerce in the province. We expect this expansion to bring in new clients, and grow our existing caseload through fully integrated services that are responsive to the needs of Québec business today - from start-ups and IPOs to finance and restructuring."

Founded in 1952, Miller Thomson's Montréal office was one of the first French Canadian commercial law firms to offer its services to the Montréal business community. Throughout the years, the Montréal office has established a network of relationships in Canada, the United States, Mexico and across Europe, and became a national firm when merging with Miller Thomson in 2005. The expanded team will now move into a larger office space in downtown Montréal.

After doubling in size in the last five years, Miller Thomson now has more than 480 lawyers in 11 Canadian offices including: Regina, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Markham, and Montréal. Recent growth includes an affiliation agreement with FIDAL, France's largest business law firm, and a merger with Saskatchewan-based law firm Balfour Moss. Miller Thomson is the only national law firm with a footprint in the growing economic centres of Regina and Saskatoon.

About Miller Thomson
Miller Thomson LLP is a national business law firm with more than 480 lawyers working from 11 offices across Canada. The firm offers a complete range of business law, advocacy and personal legal services. Miller Thomson works regularly with in-house legal departments and external counsel world-wide to facilitate cross-border and multinational transactions and business needs. Miller Thomson offices are located in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Markham and Montréal.

SOURCE: Miller Thomson LLP