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Q. How did this practice develop concretely?<br />
A. In my case, by seizing one opportunity at a time. At the very beginning of my career, a number<br />
of free trade agreements between Canada and other States were being negotiated and drafted. It<br />
was a period of significant change, including in terms of the rules surrounding investor-State dispute<br />
resolution. I had the opportunity to advise clients on the impacts and ramifications of these<br />
changes. These were very stimulating mandates! Over time, other opportunities presented themselves<br />
to me. More recently, I was involved in a fascinating matter on State immunity in the context<br />
of the enforcement of an arbitral award. I am currently working on an investor-State arbitration.<br />
It is important to understand that there is not only one path to practice international law in<br />
Quebec. It is possible to integrate this expertise into a more local practice, as is the case for me.<br />
Quebec offers a market rich in opportunity given its bilingualism and bi-juralism, and there are<br />
numerous advantages to having a hybrid practice.<br />
Q. I believe we previously met at some point at a Cambridge University event and I recall<br />
you mentioning you had an amazing experience there during your LLM. What made you<br />
decide to pursue an LLM at Cambridge?<br />
A. First and foremost, it was the intellectual challenge of attending such a renowned institution that<br />
drew me to pursue an LLM at Cambridge.<br />
I had always envisioned Cambridge as an epitome of sophisticated and rigorous academic pursuit,<br />
especially in the realms of teaching and research. I knew Cambridge to be at the forefront of international<br />
law (public and commercial) research, which was my interest. The more I learned about the university<br />
and its program, professors, alumni and research initiatives, the more my determination grew<br />
to be part of its LLM program, above any other.<br />
And indeed, Cambridge did not disappoint! I met and exchanged with bright legal minds. I will always<br />
keep fond memories of my professors, classmates and fellow Hughes Hall college mates.<br />
Q. I’ve often heard that young advocates are discouraged from pursuing graduate degrees<br />
because they seem “too academic” or “impractical.” How did your LLM affect your views of<br />
advocacy, and would you recommend young advocates pursue graduate school?<br />
A. Graduate studies may indeed serve an academic purpose, but not exclusively.<br />
As a fourth year LLL student at the University of Ottawa, I was very eager to begin my litigation career<br />
in private practice. However, I realized I still had an academic curiosity to satisfy. I wanted to elevate my<br />
legal education to the next level, and the LLM at Cambridge allowed me to do that.<br />
For those questioning the pursuit of graduate studies, consider this: they are an excellent opportunity<br />
to enhance your analytical skills. Graduate studies offer an environment bustling with occasions to<br />
consider the law – its nature, its origin, its impact, etc. – not just its application. Writing a thesis is also<br />
a great intellectual challenge as well as an opportunity to deepen an interest, which undergraduate<br />
studies do not always afford.<br />
Advocacy is also about that. Arguing complex cases requires intellectual agility and the ability to think<br />
outside the box. My time at Cambridge served as an ideal training ground for these skills.<br />
Exchanging with great legal minds in small seminars, conducting in-depth research, writing an LLM<br />
dissertation, attending cutting edge conferences, etc. are just a few examples of what graduate studies<br />
have to offer. I firmly believe that these experiences are helpful for anyone aspiring to become a better<br />
lawyer and a better advocate.<br />
I also cannot stress enough the valuable human experience of attending Cambridge’s LLM program.<br />
In my view, these human experiences also shape who we are and how we practice law.<br />
Q. Your practice must keep you very busy. What do you do for fun and how do you balance<br />
your practice and personal life?<br />
A. In my free time, you will generally find me on my road bike or in a pair of cross-country skis, on the<br />
streets of Montreal or the Laurentian trails. It is also very likely that you will find me in a parc accompanied<br />
by Paddington, my loyal golden retriever, or immersed in the shelves of a bookstore searching for<br />
the Lonely Planet for my next travel destination.<br />
I do not have the magic recipe for work-life balance, but in my opinion, it is a goal that one must try<br />
to achieve a little every day and a lot in the long term. Every day brings its share of challenges and one<br />
must never lose sight of the importance of that middle ground between work, family, friends and hobbies.<br />
Q. Votre pratique doit certainement vous occuper beaucoup. Que faites-vous pour vous<br />
amuser et comment parvenez-vous à équilibrer votre vie professionnelle et personnelle?<br />
A. Dans mes temps libres, vous me retrouverez généralement sur mon vélo de route ou sur une paire<br />
de skis de fond parcourant les rues de Montréal ou les sentiers des Laurentides. Il est aussi fort probable<br />
que vous me retrouviez dans un parc en compagnie de Paddington, mon fidèle golden retriever,<br />
ou plongée dans les rayons d’une librairie à la recherche du Lonely Planet de ma prochaine destination<br />
voyage.<br />
Je ne détiens pas la recette magique de l’équilibre entre le travail et la vie personnelle, mais à<br />
mon avis, c’est un objectif que l’on doit tenter d’atteindre un peu tous les jours et beaucoup à long<br />
terme. Chaque journée apporte son lot de défis et il ne faut jamais perdre de vue l’importance de<br />
ce juste milieu entre le travail, la famille, les amis et les loisirs.<br />
Q. What advice would you give young advocates who want to practice international law but<br />
are finding it difficult to gain exposure to the field in Canada?<br />
A. There isn’t a single or pre-determined path to practice international law in Canada. Some, like<br />
myself, choose private practice, while others venture into careers in government, international<br />
organizations, NGOs or academia. Exciting careers in international law are available in a wide<br />
range of fields so I would encourage young advocates to keep an open mind and remain vigilant<br />
for opportunities, both within and outside their immediate workplace.<br />
For example, in my case, I joined the international law and international arbitration community<br />
in Canada by throwing myself into various activities. I contributed to the Jessup as a coach, wrote<br />
articles and blogs and contributed to peer review exercises for graduate students with master’s<br />
topics in international law, attended conferences and reached out to practitioners whose career<br />
paths inspired me, etc. The international law and international arbitration community in Canada<br />
is very accessible and welcoming. The key is to try and meet people, seize opportunities to make<br />
oneself known and continue to enrich one’s knowledge.<br />
Par exemple, dans mon cas personnel, j’ai joint la communauté du droit international et de l’arbitrage<br />
international au Canada en me lançant dans des activités variées. J’ai contribué au Jessup<br />
à titre de coach, rédigé des articles et des blogues puis contribué à des exercices de peer review<br />
pour des étudiants de deuxième cycle dont les sujets de maîtrise portaient sur le droit international,<br />
assisté à des conférences et pris contact avec des praticiens dont les parcours m’inspirait,<br />
etc. La communauté du droit international et de l’arbitrage international au Canada est très accessible<br />
et ouverte. L’essentiel est d’aller à la rencontre des gens, de saisir les occasions pour se faire<br />
connaître et de continuer à enrichir ses connaissances.<br />
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