Me Maélie Gagnon
Lawyer
Me Maélie Gagnon focuses her practice on youth law, an area where she combines commitment, rigor, and sensitivity. After completing her Bar internship with our firm, she joined the team as a lawyer. She quickly demonstrated her ability to handle complex cases, establish trusting relationships with clients, and intervene calmly and effectively in court.
Holder of a bachelor's degree in law and a graduate diploma in common law from the University of Sherbrooke, she has distinguished herself throughout her academic career, notably through a scholarship of excellence and the Prix des Éditions Yvon Blais for the quality of her legal writing.
In addition to her practice in youth protection, Me Gagnon has developed a keen interest in mental health issues. She is particularly interested in assisting individuals facing requests for institutional custody, authorizations for care or medical treatment, and in appearing before the Mental Disorders Review Commission (CETM).
Before beginning her career as a lawyer, she also worked as a legal assistant at the DPJ in Laval and within our firm, where she acquired a concrete understanding of the administrative and legal workings of the field.
Experience
2024- present
DUX law firm
Lawyer
Me Gagnon acts as a youth law attorney, representing parents and children in cases involving the Youth Protection Department. She handles the complete preparation of files, drafting of procedures, strategic communication with clients, and representation before the court. Her practice is characterized by a human approach, respectful of the psychosocial realities specific to each case. She also hopes to expand her practice in mental health law.
2024
Legal Assistant
Before beginning her internship, Me Gagnon worked as a legal assistant at the Youth Protection Department in Laval, then at DUX. These experiences allowed her to acquire a concrete understanding of the administrative and procedural workings related to cases under the Youth Protection Act. In particular, she contributed to the preparation of hearing files, coordination with stakeholders in the legal community, and the management of deadlines. This practical immersion allowed her to develop a thorough understanding of the issues related to both institutional and private representation in youth law matters.
2023
Research assistant
University of Sherbrooke
As part of a criminal law research project, Me Gagnon conducted an in-depth case law analysis of Supreme Court decisions on sexual consent. She wrote critical summaries and conducted an interdisciplinary reflection combining law and philosophy on the concepts of responsibility and autonomy in the context of consent.
2020-2023
University of Sherbrooke
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and Juris Doctor
During her undergraduate studies, Me Gagnon distinguished herself through her academic and extracurricular commitment. She served as a tutor in constitutional and criminal law, a recruiting coach for first-year students, and received several distinctions recognizing the quality of her work, including the Prix d'excellence en rédaction juridique from Éditions Yvon Blais and a National Bank scholarship.
Her further training allowed her to deepen her understanding of civil and common law systems. She acquired a comparative perspective on contemporary legal issues in public law, international private law, and transnational law.
Legal intern
During her internship at the Bar, Me Gagnon handled cases independently, under the supervision of Me Anne-Sophie Dupuis. She drafted procedures, prepared hearing notes, met with clients, and actively participated in legal representations. Her time at the firm allowed her to develop a detailed understanding of defense strategies in youth protection matters and to refine her professional stance before the court.
She has thus acquired all the skills and knowledge necessary to adequately represent her clients, offering human support and legal expertise adapted to the needs of families and children in vulnerable situations.
2018-2023
Administrative agent
Cité-de-la-Santé, CISSS of Laval
For several years, Me Gagnon worked in the Emergency Department at Cité-de-la-Santé Hospital, where she provided essential administrative support to the medical team. There, she welcomed patients, facilitated communications between physicians and specialists, and coordinated clinical documents (laboratory requisitions, follow-up forms, discharges). This hospital experience made her aware of the realities of high-pressure environments and strengthened her skills in organization, priority management, and interdisciplinary communication—valuable assets in her current practice.
2023-2024
Bar School
This training allowed her to strengthen her procedural and strategic skills, particularly in advocacy, case management, drafting of pleadings, and professional ethics.
