Julien Bourgeois, JD/MBA ’13
Julien Bourgeois, JD/MBA ’13, has always approached law with curiosity, heart, and a strong sense of purpose—and his recent recognition as a 40 Under 40 award winner is a fitting tribute to a decade of impact in both his profession and community.
Julien first became fascinated by the law not in a classroom, but through the pages of John Grisham novels. After completing a business undergraduate degree at l’Université de Moncton, he moved to Ottawa to pursue the joint JD/MBA program in French—a path that would shape the rest of his career.
While his early negotiation moots revealed that litigation wasn’t his calling, his passion for the world of startup companies and collaboration flourished. He fondly recalls his time at uOttawa, where he built strong connections with classmates and professors, particularly through working as a research assistant for Professor Denis Boivin on La réparation en common law et en equity.
“I’m proud to say that you can study, live, and work in Ottawa as a successful and nationally recognized corporate lawyer,” Julien says.
Julien began his legal career articling at a national firm in its business group and now practices at Dentons, where he enjoys working with multidisciplinary teams and clients across industries.
For Julien, the dynamic environment of a large firm allows him to draw on a wide range of legal specializations while collaborating with and learning from top-tier professionals.
During his time at Dentons, he’s carved a niche in venture tech law, offering strategic counsel to startups, institutional investors and first-time managers looking to form new venture capital funds supporting the Canadian start-up ecosystem. Supporting founders as they grow their businesses has been a particularly fulfilling part of his career.
Now a father to two young daughters, Julien finds joy in balancing a demanding legal practice with raising a family and giving back to his community.
Community service has always been central to Julien’s approach to leadership. One of his most rewarding roles has been serving on the board of the Forget for a Moment Foundation, which brings nature into long-term care facilities through the installation of “living walls.”
For Julien, the 40 Under 40 award is “a good recognition for a decade of work and practice”—but it also reaffirms the values that have guided him from the start: using his skills to support others, foster innovation, and building a career rooted in excellence.
Mary Anne Carter, LLM ‘13
Mary Anne Carter’s path to becoming one of Ottawa’s 40 Under 40 is a testament to the many directions a law degree can lead—especially when driven by a passion for women’s leadership, public policy, and social change.
Mary Anne was first introduced to the legal world through the legacy of her grandfather, a judge. Her perspective deepened during a life-changing internship in Washington, D.C., working with women judges from Afghanistan who had come to the U.S. to learn about the rule of law. “It really opened my eyes to all the possibilities that exist, and what you can do with your life,” she recalls.
Beyond her professional achievements, Mary Anne is a devoted community builder whose advocacy spans sectors, with a particular focus on advancing women’s leadership and empowerment.
She regularly guest lectures at uOttawa, helping students see the law as a tool for social change—not just litigation. A long-time volunteer and mentor with Equal Voice, a charity working to advance education and provide leadership training for women and gender diverse people to increase their participation at all levels of Canadian politics. Mary Anne has supported countless women entering politics, from campaign fundraising to leadership training.
Inspired by mentors like Professor Elizabeth Sheehy, who challenged and supported her through complex research on sexual assault law, Mary Anne continues to push boundaries and drive change. With authenticity and purpose, she embodies what it means to lead with both intellect and heart.
She is also deeply involved with the Canadian Club of Ottawa, one of the city’s oldest civic institutions, where she works to bring underrepresented voices—especially women and young leaders—to the forefront of public dialogue. “It’s not just about politics,” she says, “it’s about creating a stage for Canadians to engage with ideas that matter and be exposed to perspectives they may not otherwise encounter.”
Her broader community impact also includes ongoing advocacy for the disability community, inspired by her close relationship with her brother, who lives with Williams Syndrome. Whether she’s fundraising, mentoring, or shaping legislative policy, Mary Anne views leadership as a way to lift others up and build more inclusive spaces in business, politics, and public discourse.
Being named to the 40 Under 40 list is both an honour and a responsibility, Mary Anne says. “It’s not just about celebrating individual success—it’s a reminder that leaders have a responsibility to also help their community grow, it means helping others thrive.”
Andrew Montague-Reinholdt, JD ’14
Andrew Montague-Reinholdt’s recognition as a 40 Under 40 award recipient is a reflection of both his remarkable legal career and his unwavering commitment to access to justice—all while balancing life as a proud father of two young children.
A graduate of the Common Law Section, Andrew credits his time at uOttawa with instilling in him a strong foundation in public interest law and a drive to use his legal skills for broader social good.
It was during law school that he began to see the law not only as a profession but as a powerful tool to advocate for fairness and equity. That commitment has only deepened over the years, both in his growing legal practice and in his wide-ranging community involvement.
Now a partner and labour/employment law lawyer at Nelligan Law, one of Canada’s leading progressive law firms, Andrew has played a pivotal role in growing its practice to a dynamic team of 18 today.
“It’s really exciting and just a nice recognition of the work our group has put into building the practice over the last four or five years,” he says of winning the award.
But Andrew’s impact goes far beyond his impressive career trajectory. He regularly takes on pro bono legal work through local clinics, offering critical legal support in employment matters to individuals who otherwise would have no access to representation.
He also leads groundbreaking public interest litigation, including a current Charter challenge seeking to remove damages caps under the Canadian Human Rights Act—a case that could significantly expand the remedies available to human rights complainants.
For Andrew, community service isn’t an add-on to his legal work—it’s at the core of his professional identity. From volunteering at community events to litigating for systemic change, he is driven by a belief that the law must work for everyone, not just those who can afford it.
“40 Under 40 is also about community,” he says. “And to me, it’s an honour that recognizes not just the work our team has done, but the values I’ve tried to uphold throughout my career.”
With a blend of legal excellence and deep-rooted civic engagement, Andrew continues to lead by example—demonstrating what it truly means to serve.