Overview
Patricia Fourcand serves a clientele composed mainly of business people, professionals, employers and senior executives.
Her areas of expertise are divorce, separation, child custody, alimony, parentage, parental authority and international abduction.
Professional achievements & leadership
- Advocatus Emeritus, Quebec Bar, 2021
- The Best Lawyers in Canada – Family Law Mediation, 2022
- Selected as a leader in the second cohort of EXCELLENCE, 2018
- Recipient of the 2008 Jeune Chambre de commerce Haïtienne (JCCH) Young Professional Award, 2008
- Mention of excellence from the University of Ottawa, 1996
- Recipient of an award of excellence in Constitutional Law from the University of Ottawa, 1994
- Mention of excellence for the French Baccalauréat, mathematics and philosophy section, Notre-Dame de Sion, Paris, France, 1992
- Mention of excellence in Spanish language from the University of Salamonca, Spain, 1992
Notable matters
- Represented clients before both the Superior Court and Court of Appeal in child custody cases
- Represented clients in international family law files including for the following jurisdictions: Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, France, Lebanon, Switzerland, Mexico, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Thailand, Philippines, England, Morocco, Greece, South Korea, United States (New York, California, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., etc.)
- Represented clients regarding partition of assets valued at several million dollars
- Represented clients in files involving more than $500 million
- Represented clients in international child abduction cases
Thought leadership
- Racial justice in Canada: anti-black racism and the legal profession, august 18, 2020
- Facilitator, economic conversation on Black women and business, International Black Economic Forum (IBEF), March 8, 2020
- The Effects of Trusts on the Family Patrimony and Partnership of Acquests, March 2020
- Panelist, Symposium for Black History Month (“Inspiring Quebec Leaders”), February 24, 2020
- Family Law Patrimonial and Corporate Implications for Married Couples and Recent Developments Regarding Unjust Enrichment for De Facto Spouses, November 2019
- Mastering Objections, The Advocates’ Society, May 14, 2019
- Facilitator, bilingual conversation about the economic contribution of Black communities, featuring the Hon. Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, International Black Economic Forum (IBEF), February 18, 2019
- International relocation of children in Quebec, Canada: Overview, December 2018
- Family law conference lecture: Patrimonial and Corporate Issues, Dentons – September 25, 2018; Osler – November 13, 2018; Fasken – November 28, 2018
- International family law lecture, Toulouse, France, 2017
- Religion, Ethnic Origin and Family Law, Canadian Bar Association, May 17, 2017
- Facilitator, economic conversation on the introduction of an international label to identify Black-owned businesses, International Black Economic Forum (IBEF), February 16, 2017
- Panelist, Annual conference of the International Black Economic Forum (IBEF), November 18, 2016
- “Race, Religion and Family Law,” International Association of Family Lawyers (IAFL), Los Angeles, February 2016
- Lecture, mini-symposium “The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction: Children’s Law and Refugee Applications,” Immigration and Citizenship Law and Family Law Sections of the Canadian Bar Association (Quebec Branch), September 28, 2015
- Opposability of Trusts and Tax Law in Family Law/Family Law Issues, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), 2015
- Family Law Issues in Estate Planning, RBC Dominion Securities, March 19, 2014
- Several presentations at McGill University, including two for Legal Information Clinic students on the fundamentals of family law, 2013-2014
- Family Law Principles for Estate Planners, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), 2013
- Participation in a forum for an inclusive profession, Quebec Bar, February 15, 2013
- Two presentations at McGill for the Black Law Student Association of Canada (BLSAC), 2011-2012
- Family law conference lecture, Association de planification fiscale et financière (APFF), 2004
- ”La délocalisation des enfants : accorder ou refuser le déménagement, telle est la question!,” Éditions Yvon Blais, 2012
- ”Aspects civils du mariage,” 2002
- ”La perception des pensions alimentaires,” La Presse, 1999
- ”La difficile rupture entre conjoints de fait,” La Presse, 1998
Community involvement
- Participation in the Excellence project, promoting Black Montréal professionals and businesspeople, 2018
- Fundraising in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, which struck Haiti in 2016
- Fundraising in the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake of 2010
Corporate directorships
- Board Member and treasurer, Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) – Quebec chapter, since 2021
- Board Member, Michaëlle Jean Foundation, since 2020
- Member, Panorama Committee, Quebec Bar, since 2016
- Member, Justicia Committee, Quebec Bar, since 2011
- Board Member, Association JNF à but non lucratif, since 2009
- Secretary and Board Member, Centre diététique de Montréal, 2014-2016
- Member, Diversity Committee, Canadian Bar Association, 2013-2014
- Board Member, KANPE, 2012-2013
- Member, Haiti Committee, Bar of Montréal, 2010-2012
- Member, Liaison committee with the Superior Court in family matters, 2000-2005, 2009-2011
- Board Member, Bar of Montréal, 2008-2009
- Member, Conseil général du Barreau du Québec, 2008-2009
- President of the External Affairs Committee, Young Bar Association of Montréal, 2002-2005
- Board Member, Young Bar Association of Montréal, 2002-2005
Professional memberships
- Association des avocats et avocates en droit familial du Québec
- Canadian Bar Association
- Fellow, International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
- Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal
- The Advocates’ Society
Languages spoken
- English
- French
- Spanish
Bar admissions & education
- Quebec Bar, 1998
- B.C.L., University of Ottawa, 1996
