Nicole Sigouin is the epitome of professionalism, and elegance. She also happens to be a bona fide rocker.

A partner at the Toronto office of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, where she practices in all areas of banking and finance, Nicole has spent her entire career, post-articling, with the firm, which was previously known as Ogilvy Renault LLP before it joined the international law firm of Norton Rose, in 2011. In 2013, the firm became known as Norton Rose Fulbright. Since 2008, Nicole has been a deeply committed member of the AIDSbeat planning committee, and for 2018 she will be one of our two Co-Chairs (the other being David Palumbo of Baker McKenzie). She is also credited with conceptualizing this year’s event theme – AIDSbeat Goes to the Movies.

Nicole’s involvement with AIDSbeat goes far beyond your average committee member, as she is also one of the rockstar-lawyers who performs on stage as the fronting lead singer of the band, Notorious Road.

Nicole may not necessarily look like your typical rock-and-roller – but make no mistake, as last year’s reigning Lexpert Cup winner, her love of music and performing with her bandmates shines through when she sheds her corporate attire, and steps into the spotlight.

Music has always been an important part of Nicole’s life. Growing up, she sang with her father (also a performer) and her grandmother, and in her church’s choir. She began performing at AIDSbeat in 2008, and since that time, she and her band have managed to win the Lexpert Cup twice, and the People’s Choice Award twice. Prior to being known as Notorious Road, the band was known as Disorderly Conduct, and since the beginning of her time performing at AIDSbeat, Nicole has always been able to rely on the support of the tremendous team at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP.

Check out the sights and sounds of AIDSbeat 2017.

When asked about what performing on stage at AIDSbeat means to her, Nicole replied: “I’ve been on the committee since 2008, but I have always thought it was a fantastic event. I love the idea of live music. I love the idea of people who do something else for a living, who play music as a hobby and enjoy performing and entertaining people – because that’s what it’s all about. We’re not, at least in my band, doing it necessarily for ourselves. We enjoy entertaining people. We enjoy seeing the crowd get into it, and we enjoy seeing them dance. I was always encouraged and supported by both my parents to perform on stage and, when I do it for a good cause such as this one, in my heart I always dedicate it to their memory.”

CANFAR is extremely grateful for Nicole’s dedication to CANFAR, and of course, AIDSbeat. We are thankful to Norton Rose Fulbright LLP for their ongoing support of both Nicole’s passion, and CANFAR’s mission to find a cure for HIV and AIDS.

We look forward to hearing Notorious Road on Friday, May 4, 2018, at the Berkeley Church in downtown Toronto, as AIDSbeat Goes to the Movies.

Authored by David Kelly, CANFAR’s Manager of Marketing and Public Relations