JOSEPH ULRIC EMARD, K. C.
One of the distinguished members of the legal profession in Montreal, whose years of active practice extend through more than one third of a century, is Joseph Ulric Emard. Well versed in the science of his profession, a deep thinker, logical reasoner, he has long since occupied a foremost place among the strong and forceful Montreal bar.
Mr. Emard comes from one of the old and prominent families of the province of Quebec. His father, Medard Emard, was one of the best known and successful educators of his day, while his mother, previous to her marriage, was Mathilde Beaudin. His brother, Monseigneur J. M. Emard, now bishop of Valleyfield, was for years prominent in church work in Montreal and was attached to Archbishop Fabre’s personal staff at the Palace.
Joseph Ulric Emard was born March 27, 1855, at St. Constant, Laprairie county, Quebec. Reared in a home where education was valued at its true worth, he attended St. Hubert grammar school, then conducted by his father, and was afterward a student in a private school conducted by Abbé Villeneuve.
His entrance into business life was first as a clerk, but after a short time he entered Laval University, where he pursued his law course and was graduated LL. B. in 1881. He was called to the bar that same year, and at once entered upon active practice as an advocate, which he has followed ever since, with brilliant success. Mr. Emard has been connected with a number of important cases, among them being the famous Lachine Bridge case, which he won after a notable legal battle, making it the cause celebre of the day. He was appointed king’s counsel in 1903.
For some years Mr. Emard was associated in practice with Hon. J. Ald Ouimet, who is, at present, counsel in the firm of Emard & Emard, composed of Joseph U. Emard and son, Charles.
Mr. Emard’s interests, aside from the law, are diversified and extensive. Through the splendid use of his talents, as well as his sound business judgment and foresight, he has been very successful, not only as to the accumulation of worldly possessions, but also in the way of important and valuable work done which has given a decided impetus to the city’s progress and improvement. He was the founder of the town of Boulevard St. Paul, now Emard ward, and capably served as its mayor. After annexation he twice represented this ward on the city council as alderman.
Mr. Emard has a prominent connection with business affairs; his interests include mining, real-estate, industrial and financial companies, in a number of which he is a member of the directorate. His connection with corporations has brought him an intimate knowledge concerning corporation law. To some extent he has specialized in that field of practice, and his knowledge thereof is comprehensive and exact.
He is a member of the St. James Club, the Canadian Club and Club St. Denis. Of the last named he was president for a number of years. In 1903 he had been the chief promoter of Club Jacques Cartier. In 1884 he had been president of St. Jean Baptiste Society of the St. Vincent de Paul section. Mr. Emard’s political allegiance is given to the conservative party.