Louis
Sévéno
Member of the Quebec Bar since 2004
Member of the Ontario Bar since 2004
Member of the New York Bar since 2006
Languages: English, French, Spanish
Louis Seveno specializes in high-stakes civil and commercial litigation and arbitration. He acts in cases involving Canadian and foreign corporations dealing with local, cross-border or multi-jurisdictional issues. Admitted to the bars of Quebec, Ontario and New York, he appears before trial and appellate courts, as well as before domestic and international arbitral tribunals.
A versatile litigator, Louis practices mainly in contractual disputes, corporate and shareholder litigation, insolvency, employment law, professional liability, class actions, private international law, and injunctive proceedings. He has acquired substantial expertise in construction and PPP disputes.
He sits on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee (as Secretary) of the Canadian Bar Association, Quebec Division, including various ad hoc committees. He is a guest lecturer at the Université de Montréal (Civil Litigation Workshop) and McGill University (Law for Architects and Engineers), and he frequently offers pro bono services. Louis is fluent in English, French and Spanish.
Recent distinctions
REPRESENTATIVE MANDATES
Obtained an arbitral award over USD 450M as co-counsel to Bayer in an ICC arbitration (confirmed: US Federal Circuit) against Dow Chemicals for breach of a patent licensing agreement.
Obtained an arbitration award and judgments totaling more than $20 million against Benjamin News and related persons, notably for misrepresenting the company’s solvency during an asset sale.
Obtained Mareva-type orders against a complex network of entities and individuals, and the recognition of a bankruptcy in New York. Is overseeing asset realization in several jurisdictions and contesting undervalued transactions for Canadian trustees EY and Houle Roy.
Obtained, from the Quebec Court of Appeals, a landmark decision clarifying the protections afforded to subjects of Anton Piller seizure orders.
Representing constructors and facility managers in various claims stemming from three PPP projects, including claims for defects, cost overruns, contractual penalties and security packages.
Defended against various motions for provisional and interlocutory injunctions seeking to prevent new employees/partners from working for competing employers/businesses on the basis of non-compete clauses, alleged confidentiality or data breaches, and/or the duty of loyalty.
Obtained injunction orders against a CEO to investigate embezzlement and prevent oppression.
Defended a forensic accounting firm against a motion seeking to stay an administrative investigation following allegations of conflicts of interest.
DISTINCTIONS
Recognized as a leading litigator in:
- The Legal 500 - Next-generation partner. Peers and clients are praising “his excellent judgment” and acknowledging him as “one of the rising stars of the Bar.” (since 2020)
- Lexpert Rising Star - named by Lexpert® as one of the most promising lawyers in Canada (2020)
- The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory in Litigation - Corporate Commercial (since 2020)
- The 2020 Lexpert® Special Edition: Infrastructure
- The 2020 Lexpert® Special Edition on Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers
- The Best Lawyers in Canada in Commercial and Corporate Litigation (since 2020)
- Benchmark Litigation in Canada as a Future Star (since 2019)
- Benchmark Litigation’s 40 and Under Hot List (2020)
- Benchmark Litigation in Canada as Litigation Star (2022)
EDUCATION
2003 York University, Osgoode Hall Law School
Juris Doctor (JD)
2002 Université de Montréal, Faculty of Law
Bachelor of Civil Law (LL.B.)
2001 Université De Poitiers (France)
Exchange program in French and European Union law
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND ASSOCIATIONS
Professional activities
Canadian Bar Association, Quebec Division
Board of Directors and Executive Committee member (July 2019 to June 2021 mandate)
Secretary (July 2020 to June 2021 mandate)
Éducaloi: Ally (since 2016)
Fondation du Barreau du Québec, Governor (since 2020)
Associations
Quebec Bar
Canadian Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Law Society of Upper Canada
ICC Canada Arbitration Committee
The Advocate's Society