Keeping-Tabs-Winter-2024

KEEPING TABS
The Advocates’ Society
WINTER 2024

CONTENTS
05
06
08
12
14
17
20
Chair Chat
Chris Kinnear Hunter (he/him), Torys LLP
The Pursuit of Practice: Changing Practice Areas
as a Junior Lawyer
Narmada Gunawardana (she/her), Davies Howe LLP
Reflecting Economic Realities: When Should
Courts Deviate from the Standard Prejudgment
Interest?
Sara Romeih (she/her), Ross Nasseri LLP
Lawyerly Media for Inspiration
Keeping Tabs Team
Adoption de la Loi visant l’égalité réelle entre les
langues officielles du Canada : des nouveautés majeures
en droits linguistiques
Isabelle Hardy (elle), Commissariat aux langues officielles
Adoption of the Act for the Substantive Equality of
Canada’s Official Languages:
Major New Developments in Language Rights
Isabelle Hardy (she/her), Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Interview with Marianne Bastille-Parent
(she/her), Stikeman Elliott LLP
Compiled by Aly Háji (he/him), Rickets Harris LLP
More information is available on the
TAS mentoring website page.
2
TAS Junior Members are automatically
signed up. Click here to set up your
profile today!
Want to mentor? Opt-in to be a mentor
on your TAS member profile.
Editor: Eric Blay (he/him), Stikeman Elliott | eblay@stikeman.com
Deputy Editor: Julie Mouris (she/her), Conway Baxter Wilson LLP/s.r.l. |
Keeping Tabs Editorial Team: Katrina Crocker, Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP, Lisa Delaney (she/her), Cox & Palmer, Aly Háji (he/him), Rickets Harris LLP, Glynnis
Hawe, Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP, Karlson Leung (he/him), Ministry of the Attorney General, Crown Law Office and Jean-Simon Schoenholz, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP
The Keeping Tabs Team also recognizes the contribution of Mohammed Elshafie, Conway Baxter Wilson LLP/s.r.l., in this issue.
jmouris@conwaylitigation.ca
The Young Advocates’ Standing Committee (“YASC”) is a standing committee of The Advocates’ Society with a mandate to be a voice for young advocates (advocates
who are ten years of call or fewer) within the Society and within the profession. We do this through networking/mentoring events, by publishing articles by and
for young advocates, and by raising issues of concern to young advocates as we work with the Society’s Board of Directors. The opinions expressed by individual
authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Advocates’ Society.
3
3

CHAIR CHAT
Chair Chat
Chris Kinnear Hunter (he/him), Torys LLP
So far this year I’ve had a hearing in British Columbia,
navigated a matter in the Northwest
Territories and worked with colleagues in Quebec
defending related proceedings on both
sides of the Ontario/Quebec border. While I’m
reminded of the important distinctions between
the laws, procedures and norms in each
province, I’ve been reflecting this month on
how collegial the “Canadian” Bar is as a whole.
Take, for example, opposing counsel in Vancouver
who, without being asked, recognized
the challenges of conducting a hearing out-oftown
and offered printing services at their offices
if the need arose, or counsel in the NWT
who, upon learning that I would be in a hearing
for most of January, volunteered an indulgence
for a pleading. I won’t pretend to have anything
more nuanced or profound to say about civility
and collegiality than what has been said in
several Advocates’ Society publications before,
but to those involved (you know who you are),
thank you. And to those who can relate, I hope
you’ll pay it forward.
Our Winter edition of Keeping Tabs features
articles from young advocates of the Canadian
Bar in both English and French. Isabelle Hardy
has written an important article on recent
amendments to the Official Languages Act aimed
at promoting substantive language equality in
the Canadian justice system. You’ll also find
some practical tips from Narmada Gunawardana
on transitioning from one practice area to
another; an analysis of when it’s appropriate to
push for a deviation from the standard rates
of prejudgment interest by Sarah Romeih; an
interview with Marianne Bastille-Parent, a Quebec
lawyer practicing international law; and, of
course, our favourite podcast, show and movie
recommendations.
As always, my sincere thanks goes out to the
Keeping Tabs editorial team for their work putting
this edition together. Our lead editor, Eric
Blay, would love to hear from you if you’d like
to contribute a piece to a future edition.
5 5

PRACTICE PIVOT
The Pursuit of Practice:
Changing Practice Areas
as a Junior Lawyer
Narmada Gunawardana (she/her), Davies Howe LLP
While I was in law school, I got it into my head
that the area of law I began working in would
be my area of practice in for the rest of my
legal career. This was misguided. I have since
learned that lawyers often move around. However,
changing practice areas as a young lawyer
can be daunting. I changed practice areas
within one year of being called to the bar and
these are the things I found most helpful.
Learn the law
Learn the substantive law of the practice area
to which you wish to change. This will give
you the knowledge you need in your future
position while also equipping
you with the ability to
show your interest to potential
employers. In my experience,
a genuine interest in a practice
area and a willingness to learn will
open many doors. There are a
number of resources you can use
to gain this knowledge: events
run by one of the 15 practice
groups at The Advocates’ Society,
set up alerts on CanLII
for new decisions, or sign up for
articles on mondaq.
Pitch your transferable skills
This is an exercise in advocating for yourself.
As a lawyer, you have already begun to develop
the skills that will make you effective in any
practice area. However, the onus is on you to
show the employer how your skills are transferable
to their specific practice area. This is
particularly true if you are working with recruiters,
who may be looking for a specific list
of past experiences. Even if you don’t have
specific experiences, you likely have comparable
experiences and other assets that will help
you succeed in that role. Keep a list of those
experiences and skills at the ready.
Network, network, network
This can be stressful, particularly if you are
cold-contacting partners or attending events
where you don’t know anyone. However, for
me, nothing was as helpful in changing practice
areas as networking. Every communication
I had, whether it was an email, phone
call, or coffee chat, led me to gain valuable
insight on how best to maneuver the change.
Networking helps you build connections and
informal mentors who can refer you to firms
that are hiring. These connections can also
give you real insight into the experience of
working in that practice area. This allows you
to make a more informed choice on your potential
move.
Be patient and keep at it
If you are determined to move to a new practice
area, I personally believe it is a question of
when and not if it happens. I recommend that
you are realistic with your timeline and patient
with the process. When I was looking to make
the change, I was given the following helpful
advice - you will get your shot and when you
do, take it and run with it.
WE ARE
LCM ATTORNEYS.
WE SPEAK
LITIGATION.
In less than a decade since its founding in
2014, LCM Attorneys has established itself
as one of the most trusted litigation
boutiques in Montreal.
With wide-ranging expertise and true
commitment to understanding our clients’
needs, we can handle the most challenging
matters, providing skilful advocacy,
insightful advice and practical solutions.
To celebrate our 10th anniversary,
we decided to refresh our image.
New logo, new website.
Visit lcm.ca
6
Ed. note: For TAS members, the online Mentoring Portal is a great place to connect with other
members who practice in a variety of areas of practice. Learn more about the portal here.

ECONOMIC REALITIES IN LAW
8
Reflecting Economic Realities:
When Should Courts Deviate from the
Standard Prejudgment Interest?
Sara Romeih (she/her), Ross Nasseri LLP
Prejudgment interest is a key component of a claimant’s award that deserves careful consideration
by counsel when commencing a claim. Once damages are awarded, a decision maker must translate
that damage award for past wrongdoing into present-day value as of the date the judgment is
obtained. This is captured through awarding prejudgment interest. Prejudgment interest serves as
a proxy for the opportunity cost incurred by a litigant. However, statutorily imposed prejudgment
interest rates may not reflect the extent of this cost. Following the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision
in Bank of America v Mutual Trust, 1 courts should exercise their discretion to modify the prejudgment
interest rate in appropriate circumstances.
Ontario’s Statutory Regime
In Ontario, the calculation of prejudgment and
post judgment interest is governed by ss. 128 to
130 of the Courts of Justice Act [“CJA”]. 2 In most
cases, the CJA interest rates will apply with certain
exceptions.
Typically, the party eligible for a damages award is
entitled to plead and receive prejudgment interest
at the default rate set out in s. 128(1) and identified
in s. 127(1) as the bank rate. 3 This is fundamental in
incentivizing parties to pay amounts owed before
judgment.
Section 130 of the CJA, however, provides the court
with the discretion to vary the interest rate or the
time for which interest may be awarded. 4
Calculating Prejudgment Interest After Bank of America
The reality is that in some cases, the statutorily prescribed default rates do not accurately reflect or
compensate litigants for the time value of money including their opportunity cost. 5 As such, compound
interest can be justified. 6
This was recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada in Bank of America, 7 where it held that compound
judgment interest could be awarded at common law and in equity.
Bank of America involved a loan agreement
where a bank lent money to a builder for the
financing of a construction project. The loan
agreement stipulated that, in case of default,
compound interest would be payable.
The builder assigned the loan agreement
to a trust company, which refused to make
payments as the economy declined. At issue
was whether the bank was entitled to compound
interest as an award for damages.
The court held that it is appropriate to award
compound prejudgment and post judgment
interest when simple interest would not adequately
compensate the plaintiff. Such a
relief was necessary to protect the full-time
value of money owed to judgment creditors.
Bank of America reiterated the long-standing
principle that equity is one right by which
prejudgment interest may be awarded.
This suggests that a court can also award
compound interest for tort claims if the aggrieved
party incurred debt or losses as a
direct consequence of the tort.
Some courts have exercised discretion in
tailoring an interest award. In MDS Inc v Factory
Mutual Insurance Company, 8 the Court of
Appeal for Ontario upheld the trial judge’s
order to award compound prejudgment interest
totaling $14,821,338, in the absence
of an agreement between the parties as to
compound interest. The amount under the
CJA rate would have been $1,668,368 – a
fraction of that total. Importantly, deviating
from the CJA rate was justified because there
was a documented average cost of borrowing
by the plaintiff. 9
Loss of Opportunity as a Basis for Adjusting
Prejudgment Interest Rate
In practice, the CJA default rate is deemed
to be the claimant’s opportunity cost, which
in some cases does not compensate for not
having the monetary award between the
time the action arose and the judgment.
Bank of America offers guidance in providing
a legal basis for widely accepted economic
principles of opportunity cost, risk, and inflation.
Nonetheless, courts are still reticent to
apply these concepts in awarding prejudgment
interest. 10
Factors such as verifiable foregone economic
opportunities, liquidation of investment
funds or cost of borrowing to remedy a defendant’s
wrongdoing or mitigate damages,
size of a business, access to other sources
of capital, and other factors may impact
the assessment of the appropriate prejudgment
interest rate. While these factors
may be difficult to assess, the complexity of
the assessment should not deter the court
from examining the actual opportunity cost
and compensating the plaintiff appropriately.
Failing to examine this opportunity cost
means that a monetary award does not
make the plaintiff truly whole.
Ultimately, prejudgment interest rate can
make a meaningful difference to the award
received by a litigant. Counsel should take
heed of the proper quantum of damages
but also the compensation for lack of access
to damages during the period of the dispute.
Prejudgment interest should account for
the practical economic considerations in a
way that does not punish or reward a party.
Bank of America opens the door to using
compound interest to reflect economic impact
accurately. However, the case law has
much room to develop in considering the
actual economic opportunity cost borne
by litigants, which includes the appropriate
prejudgment interest rate.
9

Notes
1. 2002 SCC 43 [Bank of America].
2. RSO 1990, c C.43 [CJA].
3. Subsection 27(1) of the CJA defines the bank rate as “the minimum rate at which the Bank of Canada makes short-term advances to banks listed in Schedule I to
the Bank Act (Canada).”
4. Paragraph 128(4)(g) and s. 129(5) also allow a court to award interest where interest is “payable by a right other than under this section.” In exercising its discretion
under s. 130 of the CJA, a court must take into account changes in market interest rates; the circumstances of the case; whether an advance payment was made;
the circumstances of medical disclosure by the plaintiff, if applicable; the amount claimed, and the amount recovered in the proceeding; conduct of any party
tending to shorten or lengthen the proceeding unnecessarily; and any other relevant consideration.
5. The time value of money is an economic concept that that a sum of money has different values at different points in time. It recognizes that the purchasing power
of money can change over time due to factors such as inflation, interest rates, and the potential to earn a return on investment. In essence, a dollar today is considered
more valuable than a dollar in the future, and this principle is fundamental to various financial calculations and decision-making processes. Opportunity
cost refers to the benefit or value that is forgone in order to pursue a particular course of action. In economic terms, opportunity cost represents the benefits
an individual, investor, or business misses out on when choosing one alternative over another. For a more detailed discussion on these concepts and how they
relate to the calculation of prejudgment interest rates, see Hugo A. Acciarri & Nuno Garoupa, “On the Judicial Interest Rate: Towards a Law and Economic Theory”
(2013) 4:1 JETL 34.
6. Simple interest separates the original borrowed or invested amount from the interest earned or paid; compound interest, on the other hand, considers all money
equally, making it a more accurate representation of the monetary value over time. See discussion in Bank of America, supra note 1 at paras 23-24.
7. See also Major J.’s discussion re the “time-value of money” and “opportunity cost” at paras 21 and 22.
8. 2021 ONCA 594.
9. The Court of Appeal has also recognized other categories for which an award for a higher prejudgment interest can be awarded; for example, as an award of
equity where a wrongdoer deprives a company of funds that it uses in its business, and where there is a breach of fiduciary duty. See Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc.
v. Marinaccio, 2012 ONCA 650.
10. See e.g. MacDonald et al. v. BMO Trust Company et al., 2020 ONSC 93; Stolba v. Comwave, 2017 BCSC 2254 at para 128, aff’d ​2019 BCCA 120.
DIGITAL FORENSICS &
LITIGATION SUPPORT
DFI Forensics comprises a skilled
group of digital forensics experts, led
by a former lawyer, well-versed in legal
proceedings.
Our expertise lies in scrutinizing digital
devices to uncover details about their
involvement in illicit activities,
bolstering legal cases with top-notch
digital evidence.
Digital forensics done right!
Computer and Mobile Phone
Forensics
Employment Law and IP Theft
Cases
Expert Witness Reports and
Opinion Evidence
Metadata Analysis
Anton Piller Order Support and
Collection of Data
dfiforensics.ca
info@dfiforensics.ca
10
1-800-851-9321

MEDIA PICKS
Lawyerly Media for Inspiration
Compiled by the Keeping Tabs Team
Friends Who Argue - A Chat with
Kayla Smith of Cassels on Access to
the Profession, Tackling the
“Pipeline Issue”, Representation
& Effective Allyship
Code Switch - a NPR podcast
exploring how race affects
society, from politics to history,
food and everything in between
Milk
Robichaud’s “Of Counsel” Podcast:
Abdi Aidid: Artificial Intelligence and the Law
The Trial of the Chicago 7
The Lincoln Lawyer
12

LA LANGUE ET LA LOI
Adoption de la Loi visant l’égalité réelle entre les
langues officielles du Canada : des nouveautés
majeures en droits linguistiques
Isabelle Hardy (elle), Commissariat aux langues
officielles
Note de l’éditeur : Les modifications récentes à la Loi sur les langues officielles apportent plusieurs changements
sur le plan des langues officielles au Canada, y compris ceux discutés dans cet article. D’autres modifications notables
comprennent les nouvelles obligations des cours fédérales de publier certains jugements en anglais et en
français de manière simultanée ; ces obligations entreront en vigueur le 20 juin 2024. En ce qui concerne ces modifications,
la Société des plaideurs a envoyé une lettre au gouvernement fédéral le 10 janvier 2024, l’encourageant
de fournir des ressources suffisantes aux cours fédérales pour rencontrer ces nouvelles obligations. Cette lettre
(en anglais) est disponible ici.
Mise en garde : *Les propos compris dans cet article sont ceux de l’autrice
et non ceux de son employeur.
Le paysage des droits linguistiques fédéral connaît
d’importants changements depuis la sanction
royale du projet de loi C-13 1 le 20 juin 2023.
Cette loi apporte des modifications substantielles
à la Loi sur les langues officielles [« LLO »] 2 ,
dont trois sont abordées dans cet article : l’accent
sur l’égalité réelle, les modifications à l’administration
de la justice et la judiciarisation des
pouvoirs du commissaire.
La LLO précise, une fois pour toutes, que «
l’égalité réelle est la norme applicable » aux
droits linguistiques, lesquels doivent être interprétés
« d’une façon large et libérale en fonction
de leur objet » et « en fonction de leur caractère
réparateur » 3 . L’ensemble de la LLO rend manifeste
la nécessité de tenir compte, notamment
dans l’interprétation des droits linguistiques, du
fait que le français est en situation minoritaire
au Canada en raison de l’usage prédominant de
l’anglais.
En d’autres mots, il faut viser l’égalité réelle –
en droit et en pratique.
En ce qui concerne l’administration de la justice,
comme en témoignent les dernières nominations
à la Cour suprême du Canada, l’article 16
de la LLO a été révisé pour inclure (de fait, pour
ne plus exclure) la Cour suprême du Canada par-
mi les tribunaux fédéraux devant comprendre
les causes dans les deux langues officielles sans
l’aide d’un interprète.
Qui exige une compréhension par les tribunaux
des langues officielles doit assurer une capacité
institutionnelle bilingue au sein de ceux-ci.
C’est ce que vise le nouveau paragraphe 16(3)
de la LLO, lequel impose au gouvernement
fédéral l’obligation de veiller, dans le cadre
des nominations aux tribunaux fédéraux, à
ce que ces tribunaux puissent respecter leur
obligation d’entendre des causes dans les
deux langues officielles sans l’aide d’un interprète.
Au-delà des tribunaux fédéraux, le nouvel
article 16.1 du la LLO requiert que le gouvernement
fédéral tienne compte de l’importance
de l’accès égal à la justice dans les deux
langues officielles au moment de nommer
les juges des cours supérieures à travers le
pays 4 . Les candidat.e.s souhaitant accéder à
la magistrature doivent indiquer leur niveau
de compétence linguistique et s’attendre à
ce que le Bureau du commissaire à la magistrature
fédérale évalue la capacité, non
seulement de comprendre, mais également
de parler « clairement » les deux langues officielles
de tout.e candidat.e se déclarant bilingue.
5
Pour ce qui est du commissaire aux langues
officielles, ses nouveaux pouvoirs comprennent
la possibilité de conclure des accords
de conformité 6 , d’émettre des ordonnances 7
et d’imposer des sanctions administratives
pécuniaires (ce dernier pouvoir entrera en
vigueur lorsque les décret et règlement associés
seront pris 8 ). Avec l’arrivée de ces nouveaux
pouvoirs, les avocat.e.s plaidant.e.s
peuvent s’attendre à voir un Commissariat
aux langues officielles plus judiciarisé, c’està-dire
exerçant des pouvoirs quasi judiciaires
de nature plus coercitive. Ayant pour objectif
d’accroître la conformité des institutions
fédérales à la LLO, les nouveaux pouvoirs
du commissaire s’accompagnent tous de recours
devant les tribunaux fédéraux.
En visant l’égalité réelle dans le domaine
de la justice, et en renforçant les pouvoirs du
commissaire, la LLO modernisée s’avère fort
prometteuse pour la promotion des droits
linguistiques au Canada.
Notes
1. Loi modifiant la Loi sur les langues officielles, édictant la Loi sur l’usage du français au sein des entreprises privées de compétence fédérale et apportant des
modifications connexes à d’autres lois, Première session, quarante-quatrième législature, 70-71 Elizabeth II – 1 Charles III, 2021-2022-2023.
2. LRC 1985, c 31 (4e supp) [LLO].
3. LLO, art 3.1
4. LLO, art 16.1.
5. LLO, art 16.2(1) et (2).
6. LLO, art 64.1 et suivants.
7. LLO, art 64.5 et suivants.
8. Supra note 1, art 37, voir aussi art 71(3).
14
15
15

LANGUAGE RIGHTS
Adoption of the Act for the Substantive
Equality of Canada’s Official Languages:
Major New Developments in Language Rights
Isabelle Hardy (she/her), Office of the Commissioner of
Official Languages
(Translation of previous article)
Editor’s note: The recent amendments to the Official Languages Act are bringing about many changes in the official
languages landscape in Canada, including those discussed in this article. Other notable amendments include
new obligations for the federal courts to simultaneously publish judgments in English and French, which will come
into force on June 20, 2024. In respect of those amendments, The Advocates’ Society sent a letter to the federal
government on January 10, 2024, encouraging it to provide federal courts with sufficient resources to meet these
new obligations. That letter is available here.
Disclaimer: The comments included in this article are those of the author and not those of her employer.
The federal language rights landscape has undergone
significant change since Bill C-13, An Act for
the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages,
received Royal Assent 1 on June 20, 2023. This
act makes substantial amendments to the Official
Languages Act [“OLA”], 2 three of which are discussed
in this article: the emphasis on substantive equality,
changes to the administration of justice and the
judicialization of the Commissioner of official Languages’
powers.
The OLA specifies, once and for all, that “the
norm for the interpretation of language rights is
substantive equality.” These rights must be given
“a large, liberal and purposive interpretation” and
must be interpreted “in light of their remedial character.”
3 As a whole, the OLA makes clear the need
to take into account, including in interpreting language
rights, the fact that French is in a minority
situation in Canada due to the predominant use of
English. In other words, substantive equality is the
aim – in law and in practice.
With respect to the administration of justice, as
evidenced by the most recent appointments to the
Supreme Court of Canada, section 16 of the OLA
has been revised to include (in fact, to no longer
exclude) the Supreme Court of Canada among the
federal courts required to hear cases in both official
languages without the assistance of an interpreter.
Requiring that courts understand both official
languages means ensuring that courts have bilingual
institutional capacity. This is the purpose of the
new subsection 16(3) of the OLA, which imposes an
obligation on the federal government to ensure,
in the context of appointments to federal courts,
that these courts are able to meet their obligation
to hear cases in both official languages without the
assistance of an interpreter.
Beyond the federal courts, the new section 16.1
of the OLA requires the federal government to take
into account the importance of equal access to justice
in both official languages when appointing superior
court judges across the country. Candidates
seeking appointment to the bench must indicate
their level of language proficiency and expect the
Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Aff-
17
17

airs to evaluate the ability of every candidate declaring
themself bilingual, not only to understand,
but also to speak “clearly” both official languages. 4
As for the Commissioner of Official Languages,
his new powers include entering into compliance
agreements, 5 making orders 6 and imposing administrative
monetary penalties (the latter power
will come into force when the associated order and
regulation are made). 7 With the advent of these
new powers, litigators can expect to see a more
judicialized Office of the Commissioner of Official
Languages, i.e. one exercising quasi-judicial powers
of a more coercive nature. All of the Commissioner’s
new powers are intended to increase the
compliance of federal institutions with the OLA,
and are accompanied by recourse to the federal
courts.
By aiming for substantive equality in the field of
justice, and by strengthening the Commissioner’s
powers, the modernized OLA holds great promise
for the promotion of language rights in Canada.
Notes
1. An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other
Acts, First Session, Forty-fourth Parliament, 70-71 Elizabeth II - 1 Charles III, 2021-2022-2023.
2. RSC, 1985, c 31 (4th Supp) [OLA].
3. OLA, s 3.1.
4. OLA, s 16.2(1) and (2).
5. OLA, s 64.1 ff.
6. OLA, s 64.5 ff.
7. Supra note 1, s 37, see also s 71(3).
18

20
INTERVIEW
Interview with Marianne
Bastille-Parent (she/her),
Stikeman Elliott LLP
Aly Háji (he/him), Rickets Harris LLP
Q. Could you tell me a little bit about your practice?
A. My practice is a combination of domestic civil and commercial litigation as well as local and international
arbitration (including proceedings ancillary to international arbitration, such as proceedings for
the recognition and enforcement of arbitration clauses or arbitral awards). I represent clients from a
wide range of industries, mostly in the construction, infrastructure, energy, pharmaceutical and aviation
sectors. I appear before civil courts, at the provincial and federal levels, as well as arbitration tribunals.
Q. Why did you decide to practice international law?
A. My interest in international law sparked early and mostly began on an academic note. At the
University of Ottawa, I pursued a combined degree in civil law and international development and
globalization. This degree allowed me to learn about the legal, economic, geopolitical and globalizing
world we live in.
While in second year of law school, I participated in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot
Court Competition. This experience was a turning point, solidifying my interest in international law
and my inclination towards advocacy. The Jessup competition definitely influenced the trajectory
of my career, which is why I remain fond of this competition to this day and why I acted as a Jessup
coach until 2023.
In my third year of university, I had the privilege of working as a research assistant for Professor
Patrick Dumberry, focusing on investor-state disputes. In a way, this assistantship came with
a revelation: I found investor-State disputes to be a most interesting combination of international
law and more “typical” commercial litigation.
This led me to enrol in the LLM program at Cambridge University in England, which I attended
in 2016 as the recipient of the Paul Martin Senior Scholarship, awarded by the Canadian Institute
for Advanced Legal Studies and the Commonwealth Trust. I opted to write my LLM dissertation
on the intersection between investor-State disputes and aboriginal rights in countries where the
economy is largely oriented towards the exploitation of natural resources.
Before returning to Canada for bar school, I made a quick stop in Paris to attend the Arbitration
Academy. I was very fortunate to meet and exchange with seasoned and aspiring arbitration
practitioners from around the world, in the charming setting that a summer in Paris has to offer.
When I returned to Montréal to begin my career, I aimed to take on every opportunity that
would cross my path to make international law and arbitration part of my domestic practice. This
was not just a professional choice but a reflection of my belief in the power of law to bridge borders
and bring about positive change in our increasingly globalized world.
Q. How did you build an international law
practice in Québec, and how do you maintain
a hybrid domestic/international practice?
A. My practice in Montreal is primarily “local”, i.e.
based on Quebec and Canadian law, but my graduate
studies in international law as well as my willingness
and my interest to be involved in matters
raising issues of international law or questions of
extraneity in Canadian law allowed me to develop,
over time and in a very organic way, a practice in
international law .
Q. Comment avez-vous développé une pratique
du droit international au Québec, et
comment parvenez-vous à maintenir une
pratique hybride à la fois nationale et internationale?
A. Ma pratique à Montréal est principalement
« locale », c’est-à-dire basée sur le droit québécois
et canadien, mais mes études supérieures
en droit international ainsi que ma volonté et
mon intérêt d’être impliquée dans des dossiers
présentant des enjeux de droit international ou
des questions d’extranéité à traiter en droit canadien
m’ont permis de développer, au fil du
temps et de façon très organique, une pratique
en droit international.
Q. Comment cette pratique s’est-elle développée concrètement?
A. Dans mon cas, en saisissant une opportunité à la fois. Au tout début de ma carrière, de nombreux
traités de libre-échange entre le Canada et d’autres États étaient en cours de négociation
et de rédaction. C’était une période de grands changements, y compris au niveau des règles entourant
la résolution des différents entre investisseurs et États. J’ai eu la chance de conseiller des
clients sur les impacts et ramifications de ces évolutions en cours. Il s’agissait de mandats très
stimulants ! Au fil du temps, d’autres opportunités se sont présentées à moi. Plus récemment, j’ai
été impliquée dans un dossier fascinant d’immunité étatique dans le contexte de procédures de
reconnaissance d’une sentence arbitrale internationale. Je travaille actuellement sur un arbitrage
investisseur-État.
Il est important de comprendre qu’il n’y a pas qu’un seul chemin pour pratiquer le droit international
au Québec. Il est possible d’intégrer cette expertise dans une pratique plus locale, comme
c’est le cas pour moi. Le Québec offre un marché riche de possibilités grâce à son bilinguisme et
son bi-juridisme, et il existe de nombreux avantages à avoir une pratique hybride.
21

22
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.
23

Toronto Trivia Challenge
February 1, 2024 | Elephant & Castle, Toronto, ON
2024 Winners! “Torts Illustrated” from Bennett Jones LLP
24
25

www.advocates.ca