Five McCarthy Tétrault lawyers recognized as 2023 Lexpert Rising Stars
Toronto, November 23, 2023 – Five McCarthy Tétrault lawyers have been named 2023 Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40, recognizing up-and-coming individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their clients and communities throughout their legal careers. The named McCarthy Tétrault lawyers are Rami Chalabi, Chrystelle Chevalier-Gagnon, Samantha Cunliffe, Fiona Legere, and Byron Shaw.
“This is an exceptional group of professionals who are setting the standard for excellence at McCarthy Tétrault and in the legal community,” said Barbara Boake, Partner and the firm’s National People and Practice Leader. “They are great role models for young lawyers, advancing innovative and precedent-setting matters for our clients, and are passionate leaders in their communities and the legal profession. We’re all extremely proud of their work and this recognition.”
Rami Chalabi is a partner in our Business Law Group, where he maintains a diversified and dynamic practice focused on mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions. Rami’s clients include emerging companies, financial sponsors, and large publicly traded issuers participating in a range of industries, including healthcare, energy services, technology, and gaming. He is also the Co-lead of the firm’s National Cannabis Group and is highly regarded as an authority on the Canadian cannabis sector. He has written extensively on the subject and is an adjunct professor at the University of Western Ontario Faculty of Law, where he teaches Cannabis Law and Practice, the first class of its kind in Canada. Rami also serves on the advisory board of the Lennox Lewis League of Champions, supporting youth sport in underserviced Canadian, U.S., and Jamaican communities, and advises the Cannabis Council of Canada in its mission to grow and regulate the cannabis sector.
Chrystelle Chevalier-Gagnon is a partner in our Business Law Group in Montréal and Industry Group Leader of our National Retail and Consumer Markets Group and Co-head of the firm’s National Forestry Group initiative. Her expertise in mergers and acquisitions and private equity cuts across sectors and industries; she has represented clients in retail, seafood, home healthcare, forestry, and entertainment, among many others. She is a member of the board of directors of Vélo Québec and Vélo-Québec Association. Chrystelle also rides annually for the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer and has captained the McCarthy Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie team for the 1,000 km cycling event that promotes youth physical activity.
Samantha Cunliffe is a partner in our Business Law and Infrastructure groups in Vancouver and a leader in the public-private partnerships space, pioneering the use of design, build, operation, and maintenance contracts for large-scale infrastructure. She has led legal teams on some of the biggest and most innovative capital works projects in Canada, including the Gordie Howe International Bridge Project, North America’s longest cable-stayed bridge; Ontario’s Go Rail Expansion On-Corridor Project, one of the largest infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the province; and the Finch-West LRT Project, which is reinvigorating Toronto’s public transit network. Samantha is also a patron and supporter of the arts. She is a member of the Ballet BC UP Committee and Co-chair of its annual gala, and is a member of the Women’s Infrastructure Network, mentoring and supporting women in the infrastructure sector.
Fiona Legere is a partner in our Litigation Group in Toronto, Co-lead of the firm’s National Pharmaceutical Industry Group, and trusted advisor to some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical and telecommunications companies. As a formidable trial and appellate lawyer, Fiona has won precedent-setting intellectual property cases in Canada, which have been litigated across the world, including in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Japan. She is a thought leader and educator, leading CPD sessions for the Ontario Bar Association, Canadian Bar Association, and Intellectual Property Institute of Canada. She has also served on the Executive for the Ontario Bar Association’s Civil Litigation and the IP/IT Sections and has assisted in the Trial Advocacy Course at Osgoode Hall Law School.
Byron Shaw is a partner in our Litigation Group in Toronto. Byron litigates in the area of class actions, infrastructure disputes, and public law matters. He has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada, all levels of court in Ontario and trial and appellate courts across Canada. He has represented clients on matters affecting widely used and well-known medications and devices. Byron is also a highly regarded author and educator. He teaches Advanced Contracts Law at the University of Western Ontario and is co-author of Constitutional Law, now in its fifth edition. Byron’s legal scholarship has appeared in respected journals and been cited by the Supreme Court of Canada. Byron also serves the legal community as Chair of the American Bar Association’s Canadian Subcommittee of the Commercial & Business Litigation Committee and as Co-chair of its International Section.
About McCarthy Tétrault
McCarthy Tétrault LLP provides a broad range of legal services, providing strategic and industry-focused advice and solutions for Canadian and international interests. The firm has substantial presence in Canada’s major commercial centres as well as in New York City and London.
Built on an integrated approach to the practice of law and delivery of innovative client services, the firm brings its legal talent, industry insight and practice experience to help clients achieve the results that are important to them.
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For further information on McCarthy Tétrault or any of the above, please contact media@mccarthy.ca.
