She is a partner at Dentons in Montréal
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Arif Virani, has announced Catherine Dagenais's appointment as a judge of the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Montréal.
Justice Dagenais fills the position vacated by Justice M.-A. Blanchard, who elected to become a supernumerary judge as of October 31, 2023.
Justice Dagenais brings a distinguished record to the bench. She graduated first in her class from the Université de Montréal, earning a Bachelor of Civil Law and receiving both the Faculty of Law medal and the Governor General’s Award. She further enhanced her legal education with a Master of Laws from the University of Oxford and was called to the Barreau du Québec in 1997.
Justice Dagenais began her career as a law clerk to Michel Bastarache at the Supreme Court of Canada. She has since practised litigation and international arbitration at prominent law firms, including McCarthy Tétrault, White and Case in Paris, and Norton Rose Fulbright. Her professional journey also includes serving as a legal advisor to the United Nations Mission in Kosovo.
Since 2010, Justice Dagenais has been a partner at Dentons in Montréal, specialising in civil and commercial litigation, constitutional and administrative law, construction law, and alternative dispute resolution. Her engagement with the legal community is extensive, having served as a legal advisor at the Barreau du Québec and as a member of the Construction and Infrastructure Section Committee of the Canadian Bar Association.
Justice Dagenais is also actively engaged in community service. She has been a staunch advocate for access to justice, working with Justice Pro Bono to provide legal services to those in need. Beyond her legal commitments, she enjoys various sports and spends quality time with her family and outdoors.
Minister Virani expressed his confidence in the new appointee, stating, “I wish Justice Dagenais every success as she takes on her new role. I am confident she will serve Quebecers well as a member of the Superior Court of Quebec.”
