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Alex Konigsberg, one of the founding partners of our firm, died on August 9, 2010

August 9, 2010


IN MEMORY OF ALEX KONIGSBERG

The partners and staff of Lapointe Rosenstein Marchand Melançon have lost a man of unique stature. Alex Konigsberg, one of the founding partners of our firm, died on August 9, 2010. Highly respected, appreciated and cherished by his partners, employees, clients and colleagues, his departure leaves a huge void.
 
With his special passion for the practice, Alex quickly became a pioneer in the world of franchising, particularly internationally, where his business acumen and his valued perspective made him a highly sought-after business and legal advisor and director.
 
Throughout his career Alex made significant contributions to a variety of organisations, including the International Franchise Association and the International Bar Association, and he received many honours and accolades from his peers. In 1987, he was appointed Queen’s Counsel. In 1990, the Association québécoise de la franchise named him “Franchise Person of the Year” and, in 1993, as testimony to his contribution to the development, growth, and expansion of franchising in Canada, he was honoured with the Merit Award by the Canadian Franchise Association. He authored more than seventy articles on franchising and wrote a book which is widely considered to be the leading authority on international franchising.
 
Alex brought singular devotion to every task he undertook and remained passionate about and committed to the practice and the firm throughout his life. With his special generosity of spirit, he tirelessly passed on the benefits of his knowledge and experience to other members of our firm and he brought out the best in everyone with whom he worked. He was a respected teacher at McGill University’s Faculty of Law and a mentor to lawyers both within and outside the firm.
 
Somewhat uncharacteristically for his profession, Alex approached every challenge in a non-confrontational manner; being blessed with an enviable ability to find common ground for the benefit of all, he succeeded in creating a spirit of consensus and collaboration with opposing counsel and their clients.
 
Alex left an indelible mark on the image and reputation of Lapointe Rosenstein Marchand Melançon in Quebec and internationally, having made with his co-founders of the firm a major contribution to the advancement of multiculturalism in the practice of law. The firm’s cultural and linguistic diversity and thedepth of the services it offers are due in large measure to the vision, dedication and inspiration provided by Alex Konigsberg.
 
In tribute to Alex’s contributions to the success of the firm and its values and traditions, the members of the Lapointe Rosenstein Marchand Melançon family express their sincere gratitude for this great legacy he has left us from which we will always benefit. He will be so sorely missed.