About L.
L. Michel Huart: Leading Transportation and Environmental Legal Counsel
L. Michel Huart is a highly experienced and respected legal professional specializing in transportation, environmental, and regulatory matters. With over four decades of experience, Mr. Huart brings a unique blend of industry knowledge gained from his extensive career in the railway sector – including a distinguished General Counsel role at Canadian National – coupled with a deep understanding of legal frameworks governing transportation and environmental compliance. He is a trusted legal counsel known for his strategic thinking, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to effectively represent clients before a range of governmental bodies and tribunals.
Mr. Huart’s career began in 1978 with VIA Rail, where he served as Solicitor and Deputy General Secretary, subsequently becoming VIA’s General Superintendent, Transportation, for Quebec. This foundational experience provided him with invaluable insight into the operational and regulatory challenges faced by major transportation companies. His tenure at VIA Rail solidified his expertise in navigating complex labor relations, transportation regulations, and internal governance.
In 1989, Mr. Huart was recruited by Canadian National Railway (CN) as Legal Advisor and quickly progressed to General Counsel. In this critical role, he spearheaded legal oversight across Operations, Marketing, Environment, and Risk Management, providing comprehensive legal support for CN’s expansive North American network. He expertly represented CN before the Canadian Transportation Agency and the Federal Court of Appeal, demonstrating a strong record of success in defending the company’s interests and advocating for its position on key legislative issues. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the proposed revision of the Railway Safety Act, presenting CN’s views to the Standing Committee on Transport, highlighting his understanding of critical transportation policy.
Beyond his corporate counsel experience, Mr. Huart possesses a rare combination of legal and practical expertise. He is deeply familiar with environmental law and project management, having successfully guided numerous applications for environmental approvals and impact assessments through rigorous regulatory processes. His experience encompasses environmental incident management, comprehensive environmental assessments, and developing legal strategies for compliance. For several years, he developed and delivered a highly regarded 45-hour course on environmental legal issues and environmental assessments at the continuing education department of the École Polytechnique in Montréal, reflecting his commitment to educating and informing the legal community.
Mr. Huart’s skillset extends beyond traditional litigation and dispute resolution. He has extensive experience in binding arbitration and mediation, providing effective solutions to complex legal challenges. He possesses a comprehensive understanding of both contractual and regulatory legal frameworks within the transportation sector, enabling him to offer sophisticated legal advice and representation to clients in a wide range of matters.
Practice Areas
- Environmental Law
- Railroad Law
- Transportation Law
Education & Credentials
- Extensive Experience in Transportation Law at both the contractual and regulatory levels
- Proven Record of Success Representing CN Before Key Regulatory Bodies
- Expertise in Environmental Project Management and Regulatory Approvals
- Experience in Binding Arbitration and Mediation
Awards & Recognition
- Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2008 (Environmental Law, Railroad Law, Transportation Law)
Affiliations
- Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Mr. Huart’s commitment to providing exceptional legal services is underscored by his extensive experience and dedication to achieving favorable outcomes for his clients. He is a reliable and insightful legal resource for organizations and individuals seeking expertise in transportation, environmental, and regulatory law.
