Top Senior Executive Joins BLG as Strategic Advisor

Maryse Bertrand brings a wealth of experience in governance and M&A to BLG

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 6, 2016 /CNW/ - Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is pleased to announce that Maryse Bertrand, Advocatus Emeritus has joined its Montréal office as strategic advisor and counsel in the Securities and Capital Markets Group.

"It is a pleasure to welcome Maryse to the firm," said Sean Weir, BLG's national managing partner and CEO. "She has successfully advised private and public companies on a broad range of corporate issues with outstanding commitment to client service. Her impressive track record is an inspiration for senior leadership and rising stars."

Ms. Bertrand's practice focuses on M&A, capital markets, risk management and governance. She brings three decades of C-Suite experience advising boards and senior executives on governance, risk and cross-border or complex transactions in diverse industries. Major mandates include the acquisition by the TSX of the Montreal Exchange, the sale of satellite provider Telesat Canada to US-based Loral Space and Communications, and the $52 billion attempted leveraged buy-out of BCE - the largest corporate transaction in Canadian history.

"We are delighted that Maryse is joining our Securities and Capital Markets Group," stated Frank Callaghan, BLG's national group head, Corporate and Capital Markets. "She brings a deep understanding of complex transactions and governance matters in various sectors that will strengthen our exceptional team."

From 2009 to 2015, she was general counsel and vice-president, real estate Services, legal services and corporate secretary at CBC/Radio-Canada. In that role, she was responsible for three business units: the Real Estate and Health, Safety and Environment portfolios of CBC/Radio-Canada in Canada and abroad, the Legal department with offices in Montréal, Toronto and Ottawa and the Corporate Secretariat. She chaired the CBC's National Crisis Committee and also managed compliance with access to information and privacy laws.

"I am very pleased to join one of Canada's leading law firms," said Ms. Bertrand. "I look forward to tackling this new challenge, getting involved within the team and making my previous experience and expertise available for the benefit of BLG's clients."

Ms. Bertrand is a member of the Board of Directors of National Bank of Canada, a member of its Risk Management Committee and chair of its Governance and Conduct Review Committee. She is also a director of Metro Inc and a member of its Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. In 2015, she co-founded the Maryse and William Brock Chair in Applied Research into Stem Cell Transplantation at the Université de Montréal. Previously, she chaired the Board of Directors of Radio-Canada's specialty channel, ARTV, and was a director of La Senza Inc. as well as a member of its Audit Committee and chair of its Governance Committee.

A graduate of McGill University, where she obtained her law degree, and New York University, where she obtained a Masters of Science in Risk Management, Ms. Bertrand is a member of the Board of Governors of McGill University, and was a member of the Advisory Board of its Law Faculty where she lectured on securities regulation. Ms. Bertrand was awarded the distinction of Advocatus Emeritus by the Quebec Bar in recognition of exceptional contribution to the practice of law in 2007, was recognized by the National Post as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Canada in 2004, and was recognized by Lexpert^® as one of Canada's Top 30 Corporate Dealmakers in 2002, Canada's Top 25 Women Lawyers in 2004, and 100 Most Creative Lawyers in Canada in 2006.

About Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) is a leading, national, full-service Canadian law firm focusing on business law, commercial litigation and arbitration, and intellectual property solutions for our clients. BLG is one of the country's largest law firms with more than 725 lawyers, intellectual property agents and other professionals in five cities across Canada. We assist clients with their legal needs, from major litigation to M&A to trademark and patent registration.

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