Hélène Guay
Attorney Hélène Guay leads a litigation law firm representing victims of medical malpractice or their families, as well as individuals engaged in cases related to their capacity, safety, or integrity. She advocates for individual rights before judicial and administrative bodies, filing complaints with local commissioners, presenting cases at coroner’s inquests, and engaging with organizations like professional orders, the Human Rights Commission, and the Public Curator of Québec.
Expertise and Commitment to Seniors
With her specialized expertise in elder law, Me Guay is dedicated to enhancing healthcare access and safeguarding the rights of senior citizens. She also serves as an advisor and speaker for associations dedicated to advocating for the rights of elderly individuals, contributing to awareness and respect for seniors’ rights.
University Teaching and Publications
Since 1992, Me Guay has lectured on the legal dimensions of healthcare and social services at renowned institutions, including Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke, and McGill University. She has been a course lecturer in personhood law at Quebec Bar School since 2002 and has annually updated the training manual for future lawyers in this field since 2019. She is also the author of numerous articles in prestigious journals on health law and personhood law topics, such as genetics, consent to care, judicial authorization of care, and elder abuse.
Her Conferences
Me Guay has organized and contributed to numerous conferences and academic events focused on protecting the rights of healthcare service users. Noteworthy among her contributions is a 2002 symposium organized for the Formation permanente du Barreau du Québec, addressing health institutions’ duty of care, and another, in collaboration with the Association québécoise des droits des retraités et préretraités (AQDR), on elderly home care in 2015. She has been a jury member for the AQDR’s Yvette Brunet Award since 2017 and a member of the organizing committee of experts for the “Together Towards Dignity” conference, hosted by Handicap Vie Dignité in 2018, aimed at improving the quality of services in residential centers.
In 2001, she conducted a training on the legal aspects of sterilizing disposable equipment for the Sterilization Managers Association, helping to raise awareness among industry professionals. Three years earlier, in 1998, she presented a lecture on dentists’ professional responsibilities to HIV-positive individuals, addressing critical issues for ethical and responsible practice.
To learn more about the topics she covers, visit her dedicated page on legal conferences.
Representations at the Assemblée nationale and Social Engagement
Recently, Me Guay has represented the Barreau du Québec at the Assemblée nationale as an expert in personhood law, offering insights on bills concerning the expansion of medical assistance in dying (March 2023) and presumed consent for organ donation (January 2024). Her commitment to the dignity and empowerment of elderly individuals is central to her academic, professional, and social initiatives.
Experience and Education
Me Hélène Guay has been a member of the Bar since 1988. She holds a master’s degree in health law from the University of Sherbrooke, obtained in 1989, after completing her law degree at McGill University. With experience in the healthcare field dating back to 1975, she has focused her practice on defending healthcare service users and their families.
To explore her professional achievements and ongoing initiatives, connect with her on LinkedIn.