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Monica Schirdewahn

T: +1 (514) 788-0989
F: +1 (514) 876-4217
E: mschirdewahn@lette.ca

  • LANGUAGES: EN | FR | GE
  • Bio

    Monica Schirdewahn’s practice focuses on advising European companies and Canadian subsidiaries of foreign corporations in matters relating to corporate, commercial and employment law. She is also called on to advise consulates of various European governments as well as governmental organisations with regards to the application of local Canadian and provincial law. Monica’s practice includes advising on and liquidating cross-border estates.

    Acting as a long-term advisor to her clients throughout their business ventures, Monica provides practical, business-oriented and targeted legal advice, adapted to meet the specific backgrounds, needs and objectives of her clients. Working with members of the Lette teams in Canada and abroad, Monica coordinates legal issues arising in different jurisdictions and guides foreign corporations intending to do business in Canada, as well as Canadian corporations expanding into foreign markets. 

    Having grown up in the German and Austrian communities in Montreal, Monica is fluent in German, as well as French and English. Her cultural and linguistic backgrounds, as well as her decade long experience in the field of cross-border business, give her added insight into her clients’ objectives, and she has enjoyed gaining the trust of a number of international corporations during that time.

    Monica gives back to the communities in which she grew up in by being actively involved in various non-profit and charitable organisations. As well, Monica is often asked to speak at conferences in Europe, as well as to share insight and experience with European commercial delegations coming to Canada.

  • Memberships
    • Austrian Society of Montreal, Director
    • German Society of Montréal
    • Goethe Institute Inc., Director and Corporate Secretary
    • Montréal Bar Association
    • Quebec Bar Association
    • Société des Amis de Goethe Inc., Director and Corporate Secretary
    • Swiss-Canadian Chamber of Commerce (Québec) Inc.
  • Publications and Articles
  • Lectures & Presentations
    • Speaker at Planning and financing photovoltaic plants in Canada following the FIT Review” organised by the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc. and the Federal Ministry for Industry, Commerce and Technology, Bonn, Germany, June 2012: “Legal Aspects in Planning and Financing Solar Energy in Canada”, for Patrizia Banducci.
    • Speaker at the 5th edition of “Women and the Law” –The Practice of Law in the Current Context”,  organised Career Women Interaction (FCI -  CWI), Montréal, Canada, December 2011 : “Steps to Take and Approaches to Develop to Serve the Client”.
    • Speaker at Industry and Commerce Day USA – Canada, organised by Investment Bank Rheinland Pfalz, Mainz, Germany, September 2011: “Legal Aspects when entering the Canadian market“.
    • Speaker at Digital Media Webinar – Games – Location Montreal”, Montreal, Canada, February 2011: “Legal Aspects”.
    • Speaker at Opportunities in the Canadian Health IT Sector, organised by the High Commission of Canada, London, England, July 2010: “Legal Aspects of Doing Business in Canada”.
    • Speaker at International Mid-Sized Companies in Siegen – Focus on North-America, organised by SiegRevision GmbH and University Siegen, Siegen, Germany, October 2010: “Incorporating a company in Canada”.
    • Speaker at Industry & Commerce Day - Canada, organised by Chamber of Commerce Rheinhessen and Ministry for Industry & Commerce, Transport, Agriculture and Viniculture Rheinland Pfalz, Mainz, Germany, January 2010: “Canadian Projects – Legal Aspects”.
    • Speaker at Industry & Commerce Day Canada, organised by Chamber of Commerce of Rheinhessen and Ministry for Industry & Commerce, Transport, Agriculture and Viniculture Rheinland Pfalz, Mainz, Germany, January 2009: “ Going Canada – Tips for establishing a Business”.
    • Speaker at Seminar on Renewable Energies, organised by the Trade Commission of Austria and Agency for Energy Strategy of Upper Austria, Montreal, Canada, September 2008: “Investing in Québec, Canada -  Legal Aspects”.
    • Speaker at German-Canadian Parliamentary Delegation of the German House of Representatives, organised by the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc., Montreal, Canada, November 2004: “Legal Aspects”.
    • Speaker at Conference Germany – Canada, organised by the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc., Montreal, Canada, April 2004: “Legal Aspects of German-Canadian Business”.
    • Speaker at a conference organised by the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc., Montreal, Canada, October 2003: “Investing in Canada”.
    • Speaker at a conference organised by the German-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Montreal, Canada, October 2002: “Investment Possibilities in Québec, Canada”.
    • Speaker at Made in Germany, Available in Canada – Biotechnology – Pilotproject, organised by the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc., Montreal, Canada, June 2001: “Legal Aspects”.
  • Representative Work
    • Advised a leading European group in prepaid payment solutions in the launch of its products in Canada.
    • Represented a German construction company in connection with joint venture projects for wind turbine manufacturing.
    • Advised a leading European photovoltaics supplier in relation to proposed investments in Canadian solar projects.
    • Represented a major Austrian media corporation with regards to the production of a television show broadcast in the Province of Québec.
    • Advised a leading German biogas company with respect to its planned distribution of products in the Province of Québec.
  • Community Involvement
    • Member of the Viennese Ball Committee in Montreal (which serves as a fundraiser for charities such as SOS Children’s Villages), 2007-present
    • Student Ministry Coordinator , Saint-John’s Lutheran Church, 2004 – 2011
    • Council Member, Saint-John’s Lutheran Church, 2004- 2010
    • Councillor , German Society of Montreal, 2007-2008
    • Volunteer at local YMCA, 1992-2006

Monica Schirdewahn

T: +1 (514) 788-0989
F: +1 (514) 876-4217
E: mschirdewahn@lette.ca

  • LANGUAGES: EN | FR | GE

Year of Call

2001

Education

  • Admitted to the Quebec Bar,  2001
  • McGill University, LLB. And B.C.L, with Distinction, 1999
  • Diploma II, certifying fluency in German

Practices

Industries

Law Firm Marketing | Cubicle Fugitive