Michel Gagné is a partner in our Litigation Group in Montréal. His practice focuses on commercial and civil litigation, and more specifically on complex technical litigation.
Mr. Gagné specializes in defending class actions as well as environmental litigation. He is involved in the defence of product liability class actions related to pharmaceutical products and consumer products. He has extensive experience in personal injury cases and in cases involving soil and groundwater contamination. He regularly pleads before the civil courts. His experience includes numerous litigations for damages, injunctions, and judicial reviews. He is skilled in statutory penal law and has pleaded before numerous administrative tribunals as well as arbitration boards.
He has had the opportunity to lead cases in various fields-including technology and intellectual property, administrative and constitutional law, as well as expropriation. He has led contractual and unfair competition disputes. His experience includes lawsuits with respect to manufacturers' liability and matters related to the Consumer Protection Act. He also possesses extensive experience in health law, medical malpractice and disciplinary law.
Mr. Gagné regularly provides advice and guidance to clients in the context of potential litigation to minimize their risk of liability. Many clients seek his experience and judgement to obtain strategic advice.
Mr. Gagné also regularly gives lectures, including for the Québec bar's continuing education services, the Canadian Bar Association, Insight, and the Canadian Institute. Mr. Gagné has taught pleading techniques at the École du Barreau du Québec. He is a past Chair of the Environmental Section of the Québec Division of the Canadian Bar Association and a member of the Defense Research Institute, an American organization.
He has co-authored numerous articles, including: La preuve dans un contexte électronique, 2001; L'incidence de la condition personnelle préexistante de la victime sur l'évaluation des dommages : l'importance du lien causal, 2003; Recours pour troubles de voisinage : les véritables enjeux, 2004; Les recours collectifs et l'environnement : que nous réserve la prochaine décennie?, 2005; La preuve à l'étape de l'autorisation d'un recours collectif : à la recherche de l'équilibre, 2006; and Développements sans précédent en 2006-2007 dans le domaine des recours collectifs en matière environnementale, 2007; Le droit à un environnement sain et respectueux de la biodiversité : valeur symbolique ou effet concret?, 2009.
Mr. Gagné was recognized in the 2007 edition of the Guide to the Leading U.S./Canada Cross border Litigation Lawyers in Canada published by Lexpert.
Mr. Gagné received his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Université Laval in 1987 and was called to the Québec bar in March 1989.