A Rhodes scholar with the wind in his sails
Even if this law student cannot officially be called “maître,” it can be said that Jean-Christophe Martel has become a master at the art of succeeding. Not only did he garner several prizes during his law studies and cycled 1,400 kilometres from Gatineau to Gaspé to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society, but he is also one of 11 Canadians to recently receive a Rhodes scholarship.This fall, he will fly to Oxford University to begin the Magister Juris program — a master’s program in law specifically for students who have studied civil law. With a wink in his eye he says he’s attending Lincoln College, “for the great food,” but in reality he is going to live a childhood dream. “Oxford, that’s where the students are king…what’s more, it’s in a medieval setting.”
However there is no time to rest on his laurels between now and then. He will complete the national program at the University of Ottawa in June 2010, winning the Brian Dickson and John Aylen awards for the best grade of his year. Then it’s off to McGill University for the summer before sitting for the New York bar exam.
So what’s in store for the future? He is drawn to a legal career in international commercial law as long as he gets his time in court for litigation. Upon returning from Oxford, Jean-Christophe will do an internship clerking for Canada’s Chief Justice. “Working within the highest court of our country is a chance given to very few lawyers. I hope therefore that I will rise to the challenge in focusing my efforts for the development of Canadian law.”
By France Beauregard
Published: August, 2010