Keeping-Tabs-Winter-2024

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