Lex Mundi has admitted Canada's Blake Cassels & Graydon as its member firm for Quebec. The firm is already the independent law firm network's member for Alberta and Ontario.

The decision was made in a vote by Lex Mundi's board of directors at its 2008 North America Regional Conference at the end of January.

Blake Cassels & Graydon launched its Quebec office in 2001 with the base focusing on corporate and commercial law, including financial services, securities, M&A and restructuring work.

In addition to advising a local base of clients, the firm's lawyers in Montreal help clients across Canada, the US, Europe and China manage their business interests in the region.

"To be named the Quebec member firm for Lex Mundi, in addition to Ontario and Alberta, is a great achievement for the firm and particularly our Montreal office," Blake Cassels managing partner in Quebec Norm Saibil commented.

As previously reported by Legal Week (8 November 2007), the 160-member international association recently made significant changes to its management. These saw Samuel Nolen, a partner with Delaware firm Richards Layton & Finger, taking over as chair of the board of directors, while Noerr Stiefenhofer Lutz partner Michael Molitoris was made chair-elect and Snell & Wilmer partner Barbara Dawson became secretary.