
Catherine Biron
Lawyer, Partner - Montréal
Catherine Biron, CPHR, is a partner in the Montréal office of Langlois Lawyers. She advises and represents businesses on all aspects of labour and employment law, human rights, company policies, health and safety and working relations.
Catherine holds a master’s degree in labour law and human rights law from the University of Oxford (England) and she is a graduate of McGill’s Executive Institute, as well as CPHR. She represents and counsels unionized and non-unionized businesses and assists SMEs and large businesses operating under both provincial and federal regulatory jurisdictions.
Catherine is highly skilled in labour relations and is recognized for her practical approach and ability to act in complex and sensitive matters. She is involved in the negotiation of collective agreements as well as in mediation and she represents businesses before all courts and tribunals regarding the management of employees and in a broad range of labour relations and employment law matters (grievances, civil remedies, human rights and allegations of discrimination, remedies for harassment or other allegations of labour standard violations, occupational health and safety, to give but a few examples). She has in-depth knowledge of and a practical approach to performance management, absenteeism, problematic behaviour in the workplace, and issues related to workplace health and safety.
Catherine is recognized by both clients and peers for her pragmatic approach and tact. She is a frequent speaker at conferences and provides practical training tools to managers. She regularly takes part in group presentations on workplace contemporary issues (Québec’s Employer Council, CPHR, BoD). Catherine has a high level of involvement within the firm and sits on various committees and boards of directors of other organizations.
Education
Mini-MBA, McGill Executive Institute, 2019-2020
CPHR, 2010
M.Jur. (Master’s degree), University of Oxford, 2006
LL.B., Université de Montréal, 2004
Rankings & Recognitions
- Best Lawyers in Canada 2024
- Benchmark Litigation Canada 2023
- Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory 2023
- Chambers Canada 2023
- The Best Lawyers in Canada 2023
- Benchmark Litigation Canada 2022
- Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory 2022
- Chambers Canada 2022
- The Best Lawyers in Canada 2022
- Benchmark Litigation Canada 2021
- Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory 2021
- Lexpert® Rising Stars 2020 – Leading Lawyers Under 40
- Chambers Canada 2021
- The Best Lawyers in Canada 2021
- Benchmark Litigation Canada 2020
As part of her studies at the University of Oxford, Catherine received a scholarship from The Canadian Bar Association and a scholarship from the Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la société et la culture.
Areas of Practice
Industries
Publications
Articles
- 2023 – A change to the Canada Labour Code adds 10 new days of paid leave for federally regulated workers
- 2022 – Reform to the Charter of the French Language: an overview of the main amendments
- 2022 – Reminder to federal employers: deadline for Annual Workplace Harassment and Violence Occurrence Report
- 2021 – The bill to amend the Charter of the French Language: expected impacts for employers in Quebec
- 2020 – Federally regulated employers, be prepared: new Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations due to take effect in a few months
- 2020 – How to mobilize a union during difficult economic times
- 2020 – Change management post-COVID-19
- 2020 – COVID-19: Order in Council 223-2020 on essential services and the legal risks of noncompliance
- 2019 – Personnel placement agencies and temporary foreign worker recruitment agencies: a new regulation changes the game, be prepared
- 2019 – Revamp of the Canada Labour Code: Overview of the Principal Amendments to Part III
- 2019 – Do Employers Really Have an Obligation to “Accommodate” an Incompetent Worker? Must the Worker Be Offered Another Position Within the Enterprise?
- 2019 – Modifications to the Canada Labour Code: Overview of the Amendments on Harassment and Violence in the Workplace
- 2019 – Draft Regulation Respecting Personnel Placement Agencies: Consultations Underway on Likely Impacts
News
Other Publications
2022 – « Le droit du travail du Québec », 8e édition, Éditions Yvon Blais
2015 – « Maternity and paternity in Quebec: two different concepts »
2014 – « Psychological harassment in the workplace: it can cost you dearly »
