In 1941, Mr. Lucien Cliche, a young -lawyer having just completed his studies, came to establish his practice of law in Val-d’Or in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Coming from Vallée-Jonction in Beauce, he arrives in Val-d’Or, and founded in September 1941, what will become the most perennial and renowned law firm throughout the region. The economy of Quebec at the time, and particularly that of the Beauce region, is at a critical level. On the other hand, the economy of Val-d’Or, Malartic, Cadillac and Rouyn-Noranda is flourishing, mainly due to the mining effervescence, supported by the high value of the gold price. Some 12 years later, in 1953, his brother Vital, also lawyer, joins Lucien and they then both found the law firm of Cliche & Cliche. They are completely rooted in Val-d’Or by establishing their respective families, most of their children also becoming lawyers : Normand, Georges, Nicole, Lucien Jr. and Pierre. Me Nicole Cliche became the first woman member of the Quebec Bar to practice law in Abitibi-Témiscaminguein 1974. Several dozens of lawyers and 75 years later, the firm founded by the Cliche family, is now currently pursuing its activities under the name of Cliche Avocats.
The name “Cliche”, in addition to being connected to the practice of law, is also associated with several other areas:
- Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister of Lands and Forests in the 1960’s;
- Judge in Superior Court and Court of Québec;
- a municipal park in the city of Val-d’Or;
- a street in the city of Val-d’Or ;
- a foundation for studies assistance (Fondation Lucien Cliche);
- higher education center in the city of Val-d’Or (Centre d’études supérieures Lucien Clche);