September 22, 2009



Fasken Martineau, a leading international law firm, announced today that it is merging with Gravel, Leclerc & Partners in Paris. Adding power to this newly merged team, Fasken Martineau further announced a team of four high-profile lawyers from Dewey & LeBoeuf in Paris is also joining the firm. This news comes on the heels of the firm's recent announcements of three senior lawyers joining its office in Ottawa and six lawyers joining its office in London, UK.

"In a difficult economy, this merger and expansion speak to the power of our brand worldwide," said David Corbett, firm managing partner of Fasken Martineau. "With two offices in the EU, we now have the largest presence in Europe of any Canadian-based law firm."

The Paris team will add to the firm's expertise in cross-border transactions, EU regulations, international arbitrations, and a wide range of other highly specialized business law and litigation services. The new team in Paris will enhance the firm's presence in Africa, particularly related to projects and natural resources, such as mining and energy, as well as M&A transactions and project financings.

"The expansion into Paris is a bold move, but our business instincts tell us it's the right decision for our clients and for our firm," said Raymond Chrétien, Strategic Advisor to Fasken Martineau and Canada's former ambassador to France, the United States, Belgium, Mexico and the Congo. "Paris is one of the world's top cities for international business transactions and arbitrations, and it's a gateway into business in francophone Africa."

The merger and the addition of the new lawyers position Fasken Martineau with a well-established legal presence in Paris. And they give the Paris-based legal team new access to Fasken Martineau's global resources in London, Johannesburg and across Canada in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal and Québec City. With more than 650 lawyers, the firm provides a wide array of legal services to clients worldwide.

"Fasken Martineau's strong business model and enviable legal practice make this an ideal choice to expand our business interests worldwide—particularly into Africa," said Serge Gravel, a founding partner of Gravel, Leclerc & Partners and new regional managing partner for Fasken Martineau in France. "Plus the ties between Canada, France and the entire EU are getting tighter now with negotiations for a Canada-EU free trade agreement and the continued investments back and forth between the two countries."

About Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Fasken Martineau, which ranks among the three largest law firms in Canada, is a leading international business law and litigation firm. With over 650 lawyers, the firm has offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Québec City, London, Paris and Johannesburg. Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP is a limited liability partnership under the laws of Ontario, and is registered as such for the purposes of its professional activities in Quebec. For additional information, please visit the firm's website at www.fasken.com.  

Media Contacts

Stephen Hastings
Director of Communications
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Tel. 416 865 4370
Cell 416 648 4076


Anne-Julie Maltais
Communications and Media Specialist
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Tel. 514 397 4349
Cell. 514 947 4349