It is with deep sorrow that Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP (FMC) announces the death of Philippe Casgrain, one of the founders of the firm, who succumbed to cancer on February 28, 2010. The members of the firm wish to express their great sadness and extend their sincere condolences to Mr. Casgrain’s family and everyone who was close to this noble-hearted man and internationally renowned jurist.

“Mr. Casgrain’s career, which began in 1952 at the firm of Magee, O’Donnell & Byers, where he became a partner in 1958, was in every way a reflection of this charismatic figure, who will remain indelibly engraved in our memories: energetic, active, accomplished, striking, and enormously successful. He was one of those people who make an impression wherever they go and who are unforgettable. Of course, this is a great loss for the entire legal community, not just for Mr. Casgrain’s immediate family and our firm,” stated Claude Morency, managing partner of FMC’s Montreal office.

In the course of his lengthy career, Mr. Casgrain was President of the Junior Bar Association of Montreal. He was Chairman of the Canadian Bar Association’s committee on commercial law for the province of Quebec in 1963. In 1965, he was President of the Bar of Montreal’s committee on external relations, and was appointed Queen’s Counsel. He was also a member of the Board of the Bar of Montreal in 1959-60, 1968-70, and, as Premier conseiller (First Counselor) in 1979-80. Me Casgrain was Bâtonnier (President) of the Bar of Montreal in 1980-81. The Bar of Montreal conferred on him the prestigious honour of the “Merit of the Bar” in 2001. The Quebec Bar, where he has sat on the General Council, awarded him the distinction of Advocatus Emeritus (Ad. E.) in 2007. He was also a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Mr. Casgrain served on the boards of various corporations, and was actively involved in a number of cultural and social organizations, such as the Fondation Armand-Frappier and the National Theatre School of Canada, and was also a Senator of the Stratford Shakespearean Festival Foundation of Canada.

“Despite his recent illness and suffering, I am convinced that Mr. Casgrain lived his life to the fullest, a life that was absolutely remarkable,” added Morency.

For further information, please contact:

Véronique St-Germain
Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP     
+1 514 878-8823
veronique.st-germain@fmc-law.com