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Gagné, Jean M., Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP Montréal - (514) 397-5152 - jgagne@fasken.com
Jean M. Gagné specializes in commercial and business law, in mergers and acquisitions, as well as financings
and major commercial contracts in the mining industry. Gagné has extensive experience in the business pro-
ceedings of the mining sector. Over the past 35 years, he has participated in the finalization of financings and
major transactions and played a key role in negotiating agreements for all phases of sizable projects in Québec
and elsewhere, including acting as chief negotiator for several landmark IBAs with First Nations in Québec
and Nunavut. He possesses a thorough knowledge of legal regimes, especially those that apply to territories
covered by the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement and to Nunavut. Gagné has developed a complete
legal framework for the construction of important mining projects, both within Canada and abroad. Gagné
has appeared in the 2011–2016 editions of e Best Lawyers in Canada and was nominated as one of the
world's leading practitioners by Who's Who Legal in mining from 2011 to 2015.
Branchaud, René, Lavery, de Billy, L.L.P. Montréal - (514) 877-3040 - rbranchaud@lavery.ca
René Branchaud specializes in securities law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate law. He assists compan-
ies in connection with their incorporation, corporate structure, shareholder agreements, private placements,
public offerings, stock exchange listings, dispositions and take-overs. He serves on the board of directors
and is corporate secretary of several public companies. He is listed in e Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
2015 in the field of mining law and in the 2016 edition of e Best Lawyers in Canada as one of the leading
practitioners in the field of natural resources law. Best Lawyers also named him 2014 Lawyer of the Year in
Montréal in the field of natural resources law. He is also recognized by the 2014 Lexpert® Special Insert in e
Globe and Mail 's Report on Business as a leader in business law in Canada and in the Corporate/Commercial
Law and Energy and Natural Resources (Mining) categories in the 2016 edition of the prestigious Chambers
Canada directory.
Mariage, Frank, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP Montréal - (514) 397-7540 - fmariage@fasken.com
Frank Mariage is a partner in Fasken Martineau's Corporate Law Group in Montréal. He practices mining,
securities and corporate finance law, serving clients in both English and French. Mariage has developed sig-
nificant expertise in the mining sector and provides legal counsel to mining and development companies on
operations and transactions in both Canada and abroad. He has been involved in many public and private
offerings and has also participated in the listing of various public companies on the stock exchange, largely
in the mining sector. As such, Mariage has also developed an expertise in going-public transactions and has
advised many new issuers on the organization of their corporate and capital structures. He is a member and the
Chairman of the Québec Mineral Exploration Association and a member of the Local Advisory Committee
of the TSX Venture Exchange, giving lectures at seminars on how to manage companies that are listed on a
stock exchange. Mariage was called to the Québec Bar in 2001.
Abraham, Brian E., QC, Dentons Canada LLP Vancouver - (604) 443-7134 - brian.abraham@dentons.com
Brian Abraham is the Canadian Chair of the Dentons mining practice group. His practice involves all phases
of mining from exploration, development and production through to reclamation. He provides advice on all
forms of title reviews, options, leases, purchase and joint-venture agreements during the early phases of mineral
exploration and permitting. He acts domestically and internationally for junior, mid-sized and major explor-
ers, developers and producers as well as engineering, mining and geological consultants, individuals, prospect-
ors, organizations, syndicates and financiers (debt and equity) in private and public financing. He has advised
foreign governments regarding the preparation and implementation of mining legislation. He has acted for
clients involved in transactions in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Abraham
has also acted for clients in energy-related projects in Canada, the US, Asia, Europe and Latin America with
particular emphasis on coalbed methane projects.
MINING
