Martin St-Jean
CounselQUEBEC BAR 2001
Martin joined Novalex in 2019 as a counsel in civil and commercial litigation and municipal law. He has been practicing for nearly twenty years within a national firm and a recognized litigation boutique, as well as in-house for the city of Montréal and as director, legal services and city clerk office, at the city of Westmount.
As a lawyer and accredited mediator, Martin has been called upon to plead regularly, both for municipalities and for private companies, before numerous courts and bodies, including the Superior Court and the Quebec Court of Appeal.
Over the past ten years, he has also developed specialized expertise in municipal law. Martin is therefore frequently consulted to answer the many questions raised in the context of bidding or call for tender processes, the execution and management of public contracts as well as questions regarding urban planning. From 2012 to 2014, he represented the City of Montréal before the Charbonneau Commission. This public inquiry commission focused on the awarding and management of public contracts in the construction sector.
With his experience in both private practice and the legal services provided to municipalities, including in a management capacity, Martin understands and fully grasp the issues facing his clients. His pragmatic approach allows him to advise them effectively and strategically.
Martin is fluent in English and French.
“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”
WILLIAM ARTHUR WARDPractice areas
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Professional activities and initiatives
Education
Practice areas
- Civil and commercial litigation
- Construction law
- Municipal law
- Call for tender processes and public contracts
- Access to information
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Martin has notably:
REPRESENTED and ACCOMPANIED a Montréal school board in a major contractual dispute;
ADVISED the members of the municipal council, the general manager’s office and the various services of municipalities with respect to compliance with laws and regulations, calls for tenders, contract management and urban planning matters;
REPRESENTED the City of Montréal as part of the work of the Commission of Inquiry on the Awarding and Management of Public Contracts in the Construction Industry (the Charbonneau Inquiry);
ACTED on behalf of a municipality against a general contractor in the context of a contract awarded without a call for tenders, obtaining not only the rejection of the application but also the reimbursement of sums already paid by the municipality;
REPRESENTED a housing cooperative in the context of a dispute with its construction contractor in connection with multiple construction defects ;
REPRESENTED the Bank of Canada in a claim against one of Canada’s major financial institutions;
ADVISED and REPRESENTED many shareholders in disputes between them and co-shareholders or their company.
Professional activities and initiatives
Member of the Corporation des officiers municipaux agréés du Québec (COMAQ) and a Chartered Municipal Officer (2019)
Teacher at the Québec Bar School, Ethics, Proof and Responsibility modules (2014 – 2017)
Education
Course in civil and commercial mediation, Quebec Bar – 2009
LL.L., University of Ottawa – 1999
B. Ed., University of Ottawa – 1995
B. Soc. Sc. (Political Science and History), University of Ottawa – 1994