Monette Barakett is the reference in labour law, public law and civil law for public and parapublic organizations, SMEs and non-profit organizations.
Founded in 1912, Monette Barakett is a leading law firm in the Quebec legal landscape. Unlike many law firms, Monette Barakett has always grown independently, having undergone no mergers or acquisitions throughout its history. This situation can be explained in particular by the stability of its clientele.
Our everyday mission is to build relationships of trust with our clients based on the thoughtful listening, accessibility and dedication of our professionals.
We assure our clients that our work is always done with the utmost rigor, efficiency and professionalism. We take the time to understand their reality and their needs in order to help, advise and represent them effectively. Monette Barakett has been a practice since 1912.
Monette Barakett’s strenght stems from great teamwork. The complicity, mutual support and collaboration of our members make our firm a client-focused organization. Our feeling of belonging is particularly strong as evidenced by our members’ career stability with the firm.
Our lawyers have on numerous occasions received testimonials from the legal community in recognition of their professionalism and integrity. Respect is at the very heart of our actions.
We are qualified, efficient, dynamic, and we act preventively in order to avoid long and costly proceedings. We know how to adapt to the prevailing realities and to our clients’ evolving needs and conditions.
The Monette Barakett team is composed of many seasoned counsels and litigants. We stand out in our fields of practice. We are deeply committed to stay at the forefront of current legal issues and developments and constantly strive to surpass ourselves in offering the best possible service.
We demonstrate boundless creativity in resolving disputes. We are proactive and do not necessarily confine ourselves to the generally recognized legal guideposts. We understand the impact that disputes may give rise to. It is for this reason that we examine all options and explain issues clearly. We deem it important that our clients be in a position to make the decisions best suited to their goals.
Our commitment to our clients is boundless. We are available and accessible at all times. Follow up actions are ensured with diligence and precision. No client is ever left adrift thanks to our entire team that constitutes Monette Barakett.
Our team is the reflection of our values. Each of us is inspired by these to offer personalized service, as part of a relationship of trust. We invite you to get to know each of our members better.
The year that Gustave Monette Sr. and Ezioff Patenaude founded the firm.
As early as 1915, Gustave Monette secures a mandate in a case that is soon to become a “cause célèbre”, that of journalist Jules Fournier charged with seditious libel in a highly publicized trial.
Gustave Monette pleads in defense at Abbot Delorme’s homicide trial which is to become one of the most famous «causes célèbres» in Québec’s judicial annals. Works have been published and television reports broadcasted regarding this affair which has marked Québec history.
Gustave Monette obtains a mandate from Premier Duplessis to represent the Province of Quebec before the Privy Council in a number of major constitutional cases, which obtained favourable rulings. He becomes a recognized trial lawyer before the courts, in particular the Supreme Court of Canada.
The firm, which had its offices in Carré Viger at the time, moves to the Tramways building, one of the most modern venues at the time. The next business address will be the Place du Canada, some 40 years later in 1971.
While the firm had always been under the direction of Gustave Monette until his appointment as senator in 1956, Gilles Filion leads to become the driving force during the following years. He develops a new clientele, including the Caisses populaires, religious communities and hospitals.
Already present in the Health sector, the firm develops an expertise in Labour Law. Raymond Barakett and Jacques Lévesque join the firm. They participate actively in the initial negotiation of collective agreements in the public and parapublic sectors.
Changes are taking place within the society that have an impact within the firm. After the creation of the public health system in 1971 and that of numerous boards and commissions, the firm adapts easily to the new reality and remains present in all areas of law, while maintaining an increased presence in the Health Care sector and within government institutions.
Major changes are taking place with the adoption of the Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases (LATMP). The firm quickly becomes a leader in this area of practice. Lise-Anne Desjardins develops an expertise and acts as a precursor to build a team specialized in this field.
The Health Care Law team, under the leadership of Raymond Barakett, publishes the Health Care Law collections – Laws and Regulations and the Health Care Law Bulletin. In 1998, Christiane Lepage joins the firm to strengthen and solidify our expertise. Under the guidance of Barakett and Lepage, the firm becomes a leader in the field of Health Care Law.
Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms play an important role in Labour Law. The firm is at the forefront and publishes, under the stewardship of Jean-François Pedneault, the work entitled Les droits de la personne et les relations du Travail (Human Rights and Labour Relations).
Éric Séguin collaborates in the publication of Les mesures disciplinaires et non-disciplinaires, which becomes a reference in the field.
Jean-François Pedneault acts as a negotiator in the course of collective bargaining within the public and private sectors. This includes acting as spokesperson for the Health and Social Services Ministry at the Regroupement Les Sages Femmes du Québec bargaining table and that of the Quebec Association of Pharmacy Owners.
The firm makes history and celebrates its one hundred years of existence, which makes it one of the oldest French-speaking law firms in North America. The firm organizes a great celebration at the Monument National in May 2012. The event is a resounding success: more than 500 guests take part, including a performance by humorist Louis-José Houde.
With an eye to the future, the year 2015 looks to be characterized by both change and renewal. The firm moves to 4 Place Ville-Marie in new and modern quarters. It unveils a new image and a new logo. Vibrant, dynamic and ever evolving, the firm maintains its discipline, team spirit and openness that have been the pride of Monette Barakett since 1912.
Monette Barakett consolidates their position as a leader in labour law in the public and parapublic sectors with several major collective bargaining mandates. The firm is also called upon to act in strategic civil litigation files, notably in matters of class actions.
