Jérome Dussault
I believe a good corporate lawyer is the equivalent of a good general practitioner: able to grasp, analyze and effectively resolve all types of legal issues.
Biography
From litigator to director of legal affairs within one of the largest construction engineering companies in the world, Jérome has over 20 years’ experience in the legal profession. As legal counsel, he manages numerous complex litigation and investigation files, in civil, criminal and penal matters, before various authorities in Quebec, Canada and internationally. He also oversees internal investigations in terms of ethics and compliance, and acts as an interface between his clients and their stakeholders, whether internal or external auditors, or authorities in the context of investigations.
Thriving in the resolution of complex matters, Jérome has had the privilege of collaborating on many large-scale projects. He stands out for his communication, writing and presentation skills, as well as his quick thinking and ability to adapt to manage complex cases and issues towards a legal, ethical and pragmatic resolution.
In-house experience
Prior to joining Delegatus, Jérome was working at SNC-Lavalin, where he practiced for over 12 years. In his last role as Director of Legal Affairs, he was responsible for civil and criminal litigation matters, and also acted as senior counsel to the Integrity Department (Ethics & Compliance) and internal integrity investigations.
Beforehand, he worked as a project lawyer in SNC-Lavalin’s construction division, working mainly on international projects. He has been involved as legal counsel in all stages of major infrastructure projects, from the preparation of bids and risk analysis to project closing and claims. His role has led him to participate in the drafting and negotiation of contracts in Quebec and in various countries on four continents
Experience in private practice
Jérome worked at Fraser Milner Casgrain in Montreal and at Desjardins Ducharme in Quebec City in civil and commercial litigation with a concentration in construction law, professional liability, manufacturer’s liability and franchising.
Originally from Quebec City, he started his career with Flynn Rivard, where he worked as a student and intern, before being hired by the litigation department transferred to Desjardins Ducharme Stein Monast.
Practical information
- Seminar on pleading techniques, Barreau du Québec | 2007
- LL.B., Laval University | 2002
As Director, Legal Affairs, Litigation and Integrity
- Management of external lawyers and strategy, monitoring and reporting to senior management and the finance department, regarding the accounting provisions to be established, concerning many complex litigation files, in particular: class actions in securities matters (SNC-Lavalin), environment (CANLII) or records of pyrrhotite in Trois-Rivières (CANLII) in Quebec and other cases in various international jurisdictions.
- Management of investigations, controls and searches of government and police authorities, in particular the Commissioner of Federal Elections, the Financial Markets Authority, the Competition Office, the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, the African Development Bank, the Lobbying Commissioner, the Sûreté du Québec and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
As legal advisor for construction projects
- Review, drafting and negotiation of various contracts for the realization of infrastructure projects, whether they are group/consortium agreements or service/project realizations (EPC/EPCM).
- Negotiation of an Engineering-Procurement-Construction Management (“IAGC”) contract worth $300M for the construction of an aluminum production complex in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (SNC-Lavalin).
As a litigator in private practice
- Successfully defend the interests of a large franchise company against a claim for damages brought by one of its franchised merchants (CANLII).
- Successfully defend the interests of the Agence métropolitaine de transport against a claim for damages brought by a contractor alleging that a construction contract had been awarded to a non-compliant bidder (CANLII).
- Successfully defend the interests of the Montreal Port Authority to obtain a safeguard order for the reinstatement of a member of its Board of Directors dismissed by political interference (Radio-Canada).
- In collaboration with a senior partner: Represented for three years the defense of the engineers who designed the roof structure of the Olympic Stadium in Montreal (collapsed in 1999) against lawsuits totaling more than $100M (CANLII).
- Administrator, École Saint-Joseph | Since 2018
- Director, Fondation de l’Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal | Since 2016
- President and member of the board of directors of the CPE Harmonie | 2015-2018
- Director and Treasurer, Jeune Barreau de Québec | 2004-2006
- “Reducing the Risk of Employee Misconduct Within a Company: The Winning Formula”, Canadian Bar Association, Governance, Regulatory Compliance and Ethics Section, Montreal | 2018
- “Delicate Situations – Practical Solutions for Legal Advisors Under Pressure”, Association of Corporate Counsel, Montreal | 2016
- “Examining Strategies for Dispute Resolution to Reduce Project Conflict and Ensure Timely Outcomes”, Conference co-presenter by The Canadian Institute, EPCM for Mining, Energy and Infrastructure Projects, Toronto | 2013
- “Legal Aspects of Public Tendering Processes”, Visiting Professor, presentation for the École nationale d’administration publique (ENAP) | 2009
- “Projects that derail due to changes, delays and additional costs”, seminar organized by Lorman Education Services | 2009
- “The Risk of the Conditions of Realization: How to Prevent the Unpredictable or Guard Against the Unforeseen”, Second Advanced Conference of the Canadian Institute for Construction Litigation Management, Montreal | 2007
- “Quebec Professional Orders Now Subject to the Access to Information Regime”, La Presse Affaires | August 2006