McCarthy Tétrault: Gabrielle Baracat Rejoins as Medical Counsel

• Gabrielle Baracat has rejoined McCarthy Tétrault LLP as Montreal-based counsel in its litigation and dispute resolution group and Canadian Medical Protective Association team.
• She will primarily advise medical professionals on liability and regulatory matters, including civil cases and complaints with professional bodies.
• Baracat previously spent two and a half years at National Bank Financial and has prior experience as a litigation lawyer at McCarthy Tétrault.
• Her expertise extends to assisting various licensed professionals, and she was admitted to the Quebec bar in 2017.
• This move reinforces McCarthy Tétrault's commitment to supporting medical professionals and follows other strategic firm expansions.

She acknowledged the inherent difficulties in medical professional liability cases, describing them as 'incredibly challenging for all parties,' and articulated her commitment to facilitating a smooth process for clients by ensuring their comprehensive understanding of all procedural steps and potential outcomes.

Gabrielle Baracat has rejoined McCarthy Tétrault LLP, stepping into a Montreal-based counsel position within the firm's litigation and dispute resolution group and its dedicated Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) team. Her return follows a two-and-a-half-year period at National Bank Financial. In her renewed capacity, Baracat will primarily focus on providing legal counsel and representation to medical professionals navigating various liability and regulatory challenges. These matters encompass civil cases as well as complaints lodged with the College of Physicians and hospital boards.

Tom Sutton, who leads McCarthy Tétrault’s litigation and dispute resolution practice group, lauded Baracat's qualities, noting her "great mix of legal acumen, diligence and care." He further stated that her presence would assure clients of "the strongest representation." Baracat herself conveyed her enthusiasm for rejoining the firm's litigation group, emphasizing the critical importance of guiding clients through these processes with minimal disruption to their work, thereby enabling them to continue delivering optimal health outcomes for their patients. She acknowledged the inherent difficulties in medical professional liability cases, describing them as "incredibly challenging for all parties," and articulated her commitment to facilitating a smooth process for clients by ensuring their comprehensive understanding of all procedural steps and potential outcomes.

Baracat's extensive professional journey includes a recent tenure as senior legal counsel at National Bank Financial, a role she commenced in May 2024, where she specialized in professional liability matters concerning investment advisors. Prior to this, her career at McCarthy Tétrault in Montreal spanned several roles, including a litigation lawyer from July 2017 until May 2024. Her foundational experience at the firm also involved serving as an articling student from January 2017 to July 2017, and as a student at law from May 2016 to January 2017.

Her legal expertise extends beyond advising physicians and investment advisors, encompassing assistance to a range of other licensed professionals, such as geologists and audiologists. Academically, Baracat achieved admission to the Quebec bar in 2017, having successfully completed her law degree at the Université de Montréal in 2016. This diverse background positions Gabrielle Baracat as a highly experienced legal counsel in Canada, particularly in the complex area of medical professional liability in Quebec.

The re-engagement of Gabrielle Baracat as medical counsel underscores McCarthy Tétrault's steadfast commitment to supporting the Canadian healthcare system and its professionals. Tom Sutton reiterated this dedication, referencing the firm's established history of advising physicians on legal issues impacting their medical practice. This move further strengthens the firm's capacity in litigation and dispute resolution, particularly for its Canadian Medical Protective Association team.

Baracat's return is one of several strategic enhancements for the firm. In late September, McCarthy Tétrault announced the addition of Marie-Ève Martineau, an experienced litigator with over two decades of expertise in medical professional liability, health law, and social services disputes, who joined as Montreal-based counsel in the same litigation and dispute resolution group. Concurrently, the firm expanded its global footprint in early October with the inauguration of a Latin American office in Santiago, Chile, appointing Shawn Doyle as its managing partner for the region. These developments collectively highlight McCarthy Tétrault's ongoing efforts to bolster its legal services and reach.

Lawyers advising medical professionals in Canada, particularly Quebec, should note the return of Gabrielle Baracat to McCarthy Tétrault. This strengthens the firm's capacity to handle medical liability and regulatory matters, providing a key resource for clients facing civil cases or complaints with professional bodies.

Source: Original reporting via Canadian Legal Newswire