Our Team

Julius Grey

Julius Grey is a renowned lawyer with more than 40 years of experience and practice in several areas of law. He received his education from McGill and Oxford Universities. He was admitted to the Quebec Bar in 1974.

He was a member of the Faculty of Law at McGill University from 1977 to 2002, and taught at the Université de Montréal and the Canadian Human Rights School in Charlottetown. He was president of the Canadian Human Rights Foundation from 1985 to 1988. In 1984, he published a text on immigration law in Canada. He continues to publish several articles on more technical subjects of law, but also on topics of general interest.

In 2004, Me Grey received, for his entire career, the Barreau du Québec Medal, which is the highest distinction awarded by the Quebec Bar.

In 2014, Me Grey published a book together with Geneviève Nootens, entitled “Julius Grey. Conversations with Geneviève Nootens “in which he shares certain details of his life, because he has a personal philosophy.

Me Grey recently published an article titled “The Ideology of Capitalism” which addresses the crisis of capitalism. In this article, he argues that the failures of capitalism are not an accident or a result of the actions of a few unprincipled men. Rather, it is a harbinger of things to come – loss of employment due to technology and globalization, a world without the myth of constant growth, tension between ethnic and national groups which seek to tilt the scale in favour of their group, a constant need for more radical technology and a fear of its unavoidable frightening side.

Julius’ book ”Capitalism and the Alternatives” (McGill-Queen’s Press, 2019) describes his vision for a renewed social contract.  It is recommended for anybody hoping to alleviate social, economic and political disparities, and cast off the oppressive yoke of the neoliberal paradigm.

Maître Grey’s linguistic prowess allows him to serve a broad clientele.  He is comfortable providing representation in Polish, Russian and both official languages.

He is a seasoned public speaker who regularly delivers conference talks for various legal, academic and public institutions. His informative speeches provide useful lessons and anecdotes from his more than 40 years of service.

Me Grey has plead before the Supreme Court of Canada over 50 times! In 2021, he was recognized as Droit Inc.’s #1 lawyer of the year for winning the landmark case of Ward v. Quebec (Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse), 2021 SCC 43 (CanLII).

Vanessa Paliotti

After her CEGEP, Vanessa Paliotti received a scholarship offer at the University of Ottawa where she completed her civil law degree.

In 2015-16, she received her Bachelor’s in North American Law from Université de Montréal, receiving the Bohémier-Ferland Award for Excellence in Ethics, Ethics and Professionalism.

Me Paliotti articled in Oakville, Ontario, in the areas of litigation, estate resolution, trust matters and wills. She has been a member of the Ontario Bar since June 2018.

As of March 2019, Me Paliotti is also a member of the Quebec Bar and enjoys the cosmopolitan aspect of Montreal to practice her French, Italian and her comprehension of Spanish.

Although a generalist, she is particularly interested in sports, human rights and immigration.

Me Paliotti has had many cases before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, the Immigration Appeal Division, and the Federal court. She also deals with sponsorship and humanitarian applications.

Me Paliotti was a leading lawyer in Karounis et als. v the Attorney General of Quebec. She represented parents of school children in an action against the Quebec government to allow for distance learning during the pandemic.

She also has had several cases against the Attorney General of Canada, when clients have been detained illegally in another country, or when Transport Canada unjustly revoked the security clearances of marine port workers. She is currently involved in a challenge to the constitutional validity of several provisions of the Act respecting the official and common language of Quebec, French (Bill 96).

Me Paliotti is always interested in representing individuals against government organizations and wealthy corporations.

Fiona Sageau

Attorney Fiona Sageau completed her Bachelor of Laws degree in 2018 at the University of Sherbrooke. She continued her studies at the Master of Laws with a research type path under the direction of Professor David Koussens. Her thesis drawing on the sociology of law was entitled “Rape Mythology v. The law: the Judge’s Assessment of Complainant Credibility in Sexual Assault Decisions”. She observed how certain misogynistic myths about sexual assault inserted themselves in a judge’s evaluation of credibility.

Me Sageau has been a member of the Bar since 2023. After completing her articling at Grey Casgrain, she was hired as a lawyer. She has a strong aptitude for research and writing, and her practice focuses on human rights, criminal law and defamation cases, although she is of course a general practitioner.