Julie Paquin

Julie Paquin is an Associate Professor at McGill University's Faculty of Law – Civil Law Section. Her research focuses on the sociology of law, critical legal theory, notarial practices, professional identity, and legal reform. She holds a PhD in Comparative Law from McGill (2011), an MA in Comparative Law from McGill (1997), and a law degree from Université de Montréal (1991). Dr. Paquin’s work examines legal systems’ socio-cultural contexts, professional transitions in legal fields, and contractual frameworks. Recent publications analyze legal profession feminization, multidisciplinary practice dynamics, and Quebec’s civil law evolution. Her research bridges theoretical analysis with empirical studies, addressing issues like penalty clauses in contracts, notarial history, and international legal transplants. She teaches obligations law and contributes to debates on legal education and professional ethics.

Education:

• Doctorat en droit (Comparative Law), Université McGill, 2011
• Maitrise en droit (Comparative Law), Université McGill, 1997
• Baccalauréat en droit, Université de Montréal, 1991
• DEA in History of Law, Strasbourg III, 1994

Research Focus: Her work critically examines legal systems through sociological and historical lenses. Key themes include the transformation of legal professions, gender dynamics in academia, contractual practices in civil law, and the interplay between law and socio-economic development. She explores how legal frameworks adapt to cultural contexts, particularly in Quebec and West Africa.

Publications Trends: Over 15 years, Dr. Paquin has published extensively on contract law evolution, professional trajectories, and legal reform. Recent work highlights gender representation in legal academia and structural changes in legal practice. Earlier research focused on contractual norms in developing economies and comparative legal studies between Quebec and Senegal.

Awards & Grants: No specific awards noted, but her research has been supported through institutional funding for empirical legal studies and interdisciplinary projects.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with McGill’s Civil Law Research Group and participates in international legal sociology networks.