Description
Denis Boutin joined the Langlois Kronström Desjardins team in 2006 after serving in Québec City’s legal affairs department for 32 years, almost 25 of them as department head.

Denis combines seasoned managerial experience and in-depth legal knowledge. He has an excellent understanding of how a city with an extensive administrative apparatus operates, and of the complex legal framework applicable to local and regional municipalities. In particular, Denis has developed solid expertise in urban and land-use planning and a keen understanding of heritage protection mechanisms.

His thorough knowledge makes his advice invaluable to local and regional authorities as well as those who deal with them. He is highly skilled at defining issues, objectives, and anticipated results while recognizing the opportunities and limitations of the legal framework. He is adept at developing and implementing strategies to quickly reconcile client objectives and the concerns of public authorities.

Associations & Achievements
1999–2004 - Technical committee member for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Regions and the Union of Québec Municipalities in the drafting of the Municipal Powers Act adopted in 2005.

1991–1999 - Quebec Winter Games Corporation, 2002 and 2010 – Direct involvement in the preparation and presentation to the International Olympic Committee of Québec City’s bid for the right to organize and host the Olympic Winter Games, particularly regarding the legal aspects of the bid, for which he was responsible, including agreements with site owners and identification of a site for the downhill competitions.

1982–2005 - Member, International Municipal Lawyers Association

Presentations & Conferences
2008 - Participated in the Participe Présent round table organized by the Musée de la civilisation, Laval University, the daily newspaper Le Soleil and CBC French radio on the theme “Drill halls, churches, convents: HERITAGE OR SACRED COWS?”

2007 - Gave a one-day training workshop for the provincial agricultural producers’ association on “Communication and Action Strategies in Relations with Local Governments.”

1981 - Taught the land use planning course at Laval University’s Faculty of Law for students enrolled in the Masters and Bachelors programs.

Representative mandates
 Protection of religious heritage   
Advised and assisted a national organization of religious communities owning numerous heritage buildings in its dealings with the Ministry of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women, with a view to protecting the interests of its members during the pending revision of the Cultural Property Act.

Public participation and revision of the Act respecting land use planning and development   
Advised and assisted an association of Quebec’s major cities in its dealings with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Regions for the purpose of developing and presenting the client’s point of view regarding amendments to the rules governing public participation in decisions related to urban planning and land use planning, in the context of the revision of the Act respecting land use planning and development.