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High-profile cases

In 2012, Côté represented Imperial Tobacco in a major class action suit where she argued that the federal government “is directly implicated in all aspects of the industry from cultivation to production to marketing.” She said the government essentially imposes the rules of the game and the industry just plays along. Côté also represented the Quebec government during the Bastarache Commission, which examined judicial nominations in Quebec.

Education

Côté was called to the Quebec Bar in 1981. She studied at the Université Laval and taught evidence and litigation at the École du Barreau du Québec. She also lectured at the Université de Montréal.

Honours

Côté received the Advocatus Emeritus distinction from the Quebec Bar in 2011. She was named litigator of the year in 2008. She has also been featured in several legal journals and magazines. In 2003, she was listed as one of Canada’s 25 best lawyers.

Nomination

Harper appointed Côté after his failed bid to appoint Federal Court of Appeal Justice Marc Nadon to a Quebec seat on the Supreme Court.

kwilton@montrealgazette.com