Hélène received an LL.B. with great distinction from the Université de Sherbrooke. She articled at the Federal Court of Appeal of Canada as a law clerk to the Honourable Justice Marc Nadon and was recently called to the Barreau du Québec in 2008.

In October 2008 Hélène will pursue a Master of Laws (LL.M.) at the University of Cambridge specializing in the field of public international law with a particular focus on environmental legal issues. Over the course of her undergraduate studies, Hélène represented her Faculty of Law at the Charles-Rousseau Moot Competition in international law, in Tunis, Tunisia, in May 2006. During the summers of 2003 and 2004, she coordinated, with the help of other participants from different countries, diverse projects aimed at preserving the environment of local communities located in Spain and Italy.

While undertaking her studies in law, Hélène was involved in the life of the faculty. Amongst other things, she was a research assistant to Professors Nathalie Vézina and Pierre-François Mercure, teaching assistant in legal research and volunteer and supervisor at the Study Support Centre.

After graduating from the University of Cambridge LL.M. programme, Hélène intends to undertake a Ph.D in international environmental law and pursue a career in academia.

My experience at the University of Cambridge has been truly outstanding. I had the privilege of studying in one of the most formative programs for graduate students who are interested in public international law. Through the LL.M program, I have acquired a solid academic background to pursue my actual doctoral studies. I had the chance to work under the supervision of the eminent scholar, Professor Martti Koskenniemi, and write a thesis on whether states should adopt an Arctic treaty to combat climate change.

I have been amazed to see how eminent scholars were actually very accessible and how the University of Cambridge succeeded in creating a very challenging intellectual community among students and professors. I particularly enjoyed the weekly lectures taking place at the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law. Whether at Formal Halls or other social events, there were always opportunities to discuss and debate my views of international legal issues.

I also had the opportunity to meet and make friends with fellow students from very diverse backgrounds and countries. Moreover, I experienced rowing, punting and cycling in all weathers through Cambridge's medieval streets, numerous greens and bridges.

I am very thankful to the Canadian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies for having provided me with the necessary funds to benefit from such an invaluable opportunity.