:: A COMPREHENSIVE, DEDICATED TEAM ::
The vision of Sébastien St-Clair, founder of St-Clair & Associates, was to create a law firm with exceedingly high client-service standards that will change the image of the legal profession.
Guided by the core values of integrity, simplicity and support, he assembled his core group of lawyers, who shared the same vision, from a number of larger firms. St-Clair & Associates sets itself apart from thousands of other firms with a dynamic team of lawyers and associated professionals under its Lex Network that work together cohesively to deliver results-with a supportive approach.
Sébastien holds a career history typical of the new generation. Starting right out of high school, he was recruited into the Canadian Armed Forces under the Officer Candidate Training Program. His strong idealism and interest in humanitarian causes led him through a number of peacekeeping projects, from Argentina to Togo, to Croatia, and to Bosnia and Herzegovina. His early professional career involved work with the Department of Justice in firearms control, and later with the United Nations Regional Centre for Disarmament in Africa doing research on war crimes and war-affected children. He also led the technical support team for SATCRA (Small Arms Transparency and Control Regime for Africa.)
Today, Sébastien harnesses his team-building abilities and his strategic planning skills to match clients with the best lawyers based on the following criteria: the dynamics and interpersonal requirements of the two, the desired objectives, and the skill sets and personality of each lawyer. For complex cases, his management of the file helps ensure that the essential elements to get that "win" are in place well before the trial.
PROactive quick-tip:
Developing together the best course of action for your circumstances is our our goal. Before the initial meeting with your lawyer, write down the most important issues and create a timeline of the main events that you your lawyer should know.
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 + Me Julie Dilli
E-mail: jdilli@st-clairavocats.org
Julie Dilli graduated from the University of Montreal and was admitted to the Bar in 2006; she continued her studies to complete a Masters degree in French law, European and International Affairs at the Université Panthéon-Assas in Paris. She was recruited from one of the large Montreal corporate firms for her attention to detail and innate ability to handle complex issues under pressure.
Community involvement is important to Julie. She has contributed to numerous volunteer activities, social causes and NGOs, including Défi Sportif, the Ste-Justine Hospital Fondation, as well as Amnesty International.
Julie was nominated as Lawyer of the Year at the AJBM’s Leaders of Tomorrow 2009 Gala in the family law category for her outstanding contributions in changing the traditional, adversarial approach and providing practical and efficient solutions for today’s changing demographics and administrative restrictions.
She is fluent in French, English, Armenian and Turkish, and her warm approach provides the reassurance of a lawyer with whom clients feel comfortable communicating.
PROactive quick-tip:
In custody cases, the past of both parents is omnipresent. There are several reasons why you should start legal proceedings before you or your ex-partner establishes a new relationship.
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 + Me Alain Lessard
E-mail: alessard@st-clairavocats.org
Alain Lessard is a graduate of the University of Montreal and was admitted to the Bar in 2003. He is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Health Law and Politics at the Université de Sherbrooke.
Before embarking on a legal career, Alain worked in various fields. With a degree in electrodynamics, he first started in electronics, working on the icebreakers of the Canadian Coast Guard, and later continued in computer technology and industrial automation. Me Lessard also founded and directed a number of businesses in the Montreal area.
In 1998 following the death of his father from a medical error, Alain reoriented his career towards law to bring justice to his father. After a drawn-out battle with several doctors and hospitals, an inquest was performed by the medical examiner. Today, Alain's social involvement continues through his determination to make the justice system accessible to the public, as well as ensuring that their rights are respected.
Alain has pleaded at all of the various Quebec tribunals as well as the Administrative Tribunal, and has handled numerous cases at the Court of Appeal. Alain is recognized for his work efficiency and aggressive stance in files requiring negotiations and assertiveness. In contrast, however, his clients feel at ease upon meeting him. He is persistent in his determination to obtain justice for his clients, and his down-to-earth approach provides his clients with practical solutions instead of recourses based solely on legal theory.
PROactive quick-tip:
Once litigation has started, you should learn to focus on the main objective and put aside certain personal issues that may be trivial and which will only lead to unneeded animosity in the file.
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 + Me Stéphanie Afilalo
E-mail: safilalo@st-clairavocats.org
Stéphanie Afilalo graduated from the Université de Montréal and was admitted to the Quebec Bar in June 2007. She then completed a post-graduate degree in North American Common Law. Stéphanie perfected her skills through internships in litigation, commercial law and labour law at one of the major Montreal law firms. She also worked as an advisor for Project Genesis, where she helped underprivileged clients facing conflicts in areas such as immigration, housing, welfare, and humanitarian law.
Her passion for human rights, her compassion, as well as her ability to listen and understand her clients' needs provide a comforting reassurance. Dynamic, motivated and dedicated to professional excellence, Stéphanie’s main objective remains client satisfaction.
She is also proud of her family values and, as a mother, understands the delicate issues of family law.
PROactive quick-tip:
When communication between you and the other parent is difficult, we recommend putting in use a communication booklet that your child can carry to pass along essential information and keep track of important issues concerning your child.
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 + Daniel Citrome
E-mail: dcitrome@st-clairavocats.org
With degrees in science and social work from McGill University, Daniel holds over forty years of experience in coaching and personal support for adults, couples, families and the elderly - working with the Jewish Family Services Centre and the C.L.S.C. René Cassin.
At St-Clair & Associates, Daniel is there to listen to your concerns, and more importantly, to help you prepare for hearings so that you can testify properly and in a way to put the chances in your favor.
Daniel facilitates monthly group meetings for clients that would like to benefit from his support services and extensive divorce and family coaching. If you would like to register for the next meeting, please contact the main office by phone or by e-mail.
For more information, please see our page on group support meetings.
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 + Me Emeline Magnier
E-mail: emagnier@st-clairavocats.org
Emeline Magnier began her university studies in France. She obtained a Masters 2: Business Law Research over the course of which she developed valuable research and analysis skills while drafting a factum. Emeline proceeded to integrate her Masters 2: Comparative Law Research in exchange with a Masters Program at l'Université de Montréal.
A variety of experiences in both France and Montreal allowed Emeline to acquire a strong sense of professionalism when dealing with the concrete situations presented to her in fields as varied as civil law, family law, as well as, labour and business law.
Her dynamic personality and constant quest for perfection are always in the best interest of her clients.
PROactive quick-tip:
Trust and sincerity are pivotal in a client-solicitor relationship. Even if you may be hesitant to disclose certain elements that you think are not in your favor, it is to your advantage to bring them up at the beginning of the file so that your lawyer may address the issues as required - and properly defend you.
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 + Katherine Fournier
E-mail: kfournier@st-clairavocats.org
Hard-working, passionate and curious, Katherine is currently completing her Quebec Bar articling with our firm. She graduated from the Faculty of Law of the Université de Sherbrooke in 2006. She also holds a Masters degree in Common law and Transnational Law from the Université de Sherbrooke, and is completing a Masters degree in International Law at the Université de Montréal. With a marked interest in human rights and children's rights, she has completed an internship at the International Bureau of Children's Rights.
Katherine continually strives to offer her best and continues to surpass expectations. Her priority: to serve you and your needs.
PROactive quick-tip:
Even if you are currently enjoying a perfect scenario on a family, spousal or professional level, it is wise insurance to anticipate and prevent potential problems that may arise. Call me to book a meeting and review the three core areas of your life and how you can protect them.
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 + Sharon Shenker
E-mail: sharonshenker@gmail.com
More than a friend, yet different from a teacher or therapist, Sharon Shenker provides therapeutic Family & Relationship Coaching for all family life issues (from the womb to the tomb) with a specialization in relationships & divorce. With over twenty years of experience working with children and families, Sharon opened Divorce Support Plus in 1999. She helps clients maneuver through, adjust to, heal from, and thrive despite separation, divorce, and family reconstruction.
Whether you want help with the emotional aspects of separation or divorce, co-parenting, single parenting, recovery from the end of a long-term relationship with personal growth & development, building a new life, dating again or blending families, Sharon is just a phone call away. She can work with you face-to-face in Montreal, on the telephone or with skype from anywhere in the world. Plus, registration is always open for groups in Montreal or tele-seminars by simply e-mailing Sharon at the address above.
Relationships & Divorce Coach
Founder, Divorce Support Plus: www.divorcesupportplus.ca & www.lovingtherightways.com
Author, My Family Has Two Houses myfamilyhastwohouses.blogspot.com
Direct tel.: (514) 804-3585
PROactive quick-tip:
Whether you stay together or not, if you have children together you have to work at getting along! “Harmonious” and “divorce” are words that many people think are impossible to use together, but a divorce coach helps you achieve a harmonious divorce.
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 + Me François-David Bernier
E-mail: fdbernier@st-clairavocats.org
François-David Bernier is the managing partner of Baron-Lafrenière, our affiliated firm in Quebec City.
François-David studied civil law at the University of Ottawa and common law at Queen's University. He then worked abroad for law firms in Paris, Geneva and Brussels and has taught Canadian and Quebec law at l'Université de Monpellier in France.
François-David works mainly in commercial litigation and has pleaded before many jurisdictions in various law sectors. His team offers legal services in family law, international issues, litigation, corporate and commercial transactions and disputes, administrative law, construction, intellectual property rights, as well as entertainment law.
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 + Michael Martella, Investors Group, Financial advisor
E-mail: michael.martella@investorsgroup.com
Financial advisor since 1998, Michael Martella of Investors Group works closely with our clients on Estate planning and helps couples and individuals restructure their finances and insurances following a separation or divorce.
Michael is committed to providing an exceptional service to all our clients, which means creating a partnership with each client to meet and exceed their objectives.
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 + Suzanne Potvin
E-mail: spotvin@st-clairavocats.org
As our legal technician, Suzanne provides essential support to our team of lawyers to ensure proper file management. She also acts as liaison with the Commission des services juridiques, handling cases involving Legal Aid.
Suzanne is also responsible for the development and maintenance of our jurisprudence and doctrine database, and assists lawyers on complex files that require special case management.
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 + Kevin Robinson, Group Sutton, Affiliated Real Estate Agent
E-mail: krobinson@sutton.com
Kevin is an Affiliated Real Estate Agent with Group Sutton - Expert in Kirkland, Quebec. He researches, markets and sources residential property helping our clients buy & sell homes in the greater Montreal region. Kevin knows the real estate market and how to get the best price for our clients. When it comes to negotiating the sale or purchase of a home, client satisfaction is #1.
Kevin has over 10 years of purchasing management and sales expertise in the aerospace industry. Prior to joining Group Sutton - Expert, Kevin was a Sales Manager with the Aerospace division of Bombardier. He held a number of posts ranging from Senior Buyer, Proposal Manager, and Aircraft Sales.Kevin was responsible for the Asia Pacific territory and later the Eastern US region of the business aircraft division. He holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Bishop’s University.
Real Estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people will make in their lives. With Kevin, client satisfaction is the first and only priority.
Direct tel: (514) 880-0724
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 + Eric St-Pierre
E-mail: eric@st-clairavocats.org
Eric St-Pierre is a 4th year law student at McGill University, studying in both civil and common law. Apart from providing us assistance for research and case summaries, Eric also works at the McGill Legal Clinic and is involved in several other law-related extracurricular activities.
His work and travels have taken him from the South Pacific to East Africa to Europe and the Middle East.
Eric has a marked interest in international law, real estate law, mediation and all forms of conflict resolution.
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