leclercq-marie-laure

Marie Laure Leclercq

Counsel
Adjointe juridiqueOlena Kuvila (514) 878-3420okuvila@dgchait.com

For more than three decades, Marie Laure Leclercq has been helping innovative companies carry out their business projects.

Marie Laure is a trained engineer with a passion for technology. She represents companies working in forward-looking spheres like artificial intelligence and IT, and rapidly-evolving sectors like the agri-food, textile and weapons industries.

Her practice includes helping small and large companies tackle a range of legal issues. She assists them in negotiating technology rights related to data use and security (trade secrets, right to privacy, algorithm transparency on AI processes, etc.) and drafting contractual agreements that comply with applicable legal constraints. She also defends their interests in commercial disputes and protects their intellectual property by registering patents, trademarks, copyrights (software, Internet and entertainment law), industrial designs, etc.

Acting as a strategic advisor and business partner, Marie Laure draws on her extensive experience with business law—including financing, business purchase and sale, contracts and agreements, due diligence and commercial litigation—to meet all of her clients’ business needs. Her experience working as internal legal counsel and executive vice president for a group of technology companies enables her to fully understand and skillfully advise entrepreneurs. Marie Laure knows that her clients work in rapidly changing environments. To keep up with the latest changes and trends, she is active within organizations that foster collaboration and promote technology law and related industries like e-commerce and intellectual property. She is a member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC), the Canadian Information Technology Law Association (CAN-TECH) and the Information, Telecommunications and Intellectual Property section of the Québec division of the Canadian Bar Association, of which she was president from 2012 to 2013.

She also works hard to advance her profession, most notably through her involvement in the Canadian Bar Association and Québec’s Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse. Her tremendous commitment is evidenced by the vast number of associations, committees and causes she has been active with over the years.

For more than three decades, Marie Laure Leclercq has been helping innovative companies carry out their business projects.

Marie Laure is a trained engineer with a passion for technology. She represents companies working in forward-looking spheres like artificial intelligence and IT, and rapidly-evolving sectors like the agri-food, textile and weapons industries.

Her practice includes helping small and large companies tackle a range of legal issues. She assists them in negotiating technology rights related to data use and security (trade secrets, right to privacy, algorithm transparency on AI processes, etc.) and drafting contractual agreements that comply with applicable legal constraints. She also defends their interests in commercial disputes and protects their intellectual property by registering patents, trademarks, copyrights (software, Internet and entertainment law), industrial designs, etc.

Acting as a strategic advisor and business partner, Marie Laure draws on her extensive experience with business law—including financing, business purchase and sale, contracts and agreements, due diligence and commercial litigation—to meet all of her clients’ business needs. Her experience working as internal legal counsel and executive vice president for a group of technology companies enables her to fully understand and skillfully advise entrepreneurs. Marie Laure knows that her clients work in rapidly changing environments. To keep up with the latest changes and trends, she is active within organizations that foster collaboration and promote technology law and related industries like e-commerce and intellectual property. She is a member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC), the Canadian Information Technology Law Association (CAN-TECH) and the Information, Telecommunications and Intellectual Property section of the Québec division of the Canadian Bar Association, of which she was president from 2012 to 2013.

She also works hard to advance her profession, most notably through her involvement in the Canadian Bar Association and Québec’s Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse. Her tremendous commitment is evidenced by the vast number of associations, committees and causes she has been active with over the years.

Advocatus Emeritus, Barreau du Québec
2017

Best Lawyers in Canada®
Information Technology Law – 2019 to 2023
Technology Law – 2016 to 2023

Lexpert Zenith Award: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion
2016

Jules-Deschênes Award, Canadian Bar Association, Québec Branch
2016

  • Minorities and Oppressions, Transcendental Strategies
    Montreal Bar LGBTQ2+ Committee, 2021
  • Leadership avec un grand elle, Mouvement vers un monde inclusif
    Young Bar of Montreal, 2021
  • Leaders in Tech: Building Dynamic Inclusive Cultures
    Luncheon & Panel Discussion: The Microsoft Women in Tech Luncheon, CAN-TECH Law Annual Conference, 2019
  • Taking security interests in intellectual property: Working through the maze
    Canadian IT Law Association, 2004
  • Internet Law: Application Service Providers agreements and ancillary legal questions
    MIM, 2001
  • Legal, tax and practical matters as related to prevention matters
    Nursing Association of Québec, 1997
  • Software licensing contracts, tear-up licensing agreements, software escrow agreements
    Centre de promotion du logiciel québécois, 1993

Professional training as a patent agent
Intellectual Property Institute of Canada,  2008

Centre d’arbitrage commercial national et international du Québec
2001

MBA, Finance
McGill University, 1982

LL.L.
Université de Montréal, 1980

M. Sc. A., Electrical Engineering
École Polytechnique de Montréal, 1977

B. Sc. A., Engineering Physics
École Polytechnique de Montréal, 1974

Board of Directors, Canadian Technology Law Association (CAN TECH), 2022-2023
Member, Barreau du Québec
Trademark Agent (Canada), College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents
Trademark Agent (United States), United States Patent and Trademark Office
Member, Canadian Bar Association – Québec
Member, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse, 2018
Member, Information Technology Association of Canada
Member, Intellectual Property Institute of Canada 

Canadian Bar Association
– Quebec Representative, National Board of Directors, 2017
– Chair, Quebec Branch IP section 2012-2013
– Executive Committee member, national IP section 2011-2013
– Chair, Quebec Branch, 2010 and 2011
– Vice President, Quebec Branch, 2008 and 2009