Charles E. Flam

Strategic Advisor

Language

English, French

Office

Montréal

 

Retired from the practice of law, Charles E. Flam is a strategic adviser in our Civil and Commercial Litigation Group. 

Mr. Flam served as managing partner and CEO of RSS for almost forty years. With his vast experience, he is frequently called upon by members of our Civil and Commercial Litigation Group for strategic issues relating to commercial matters, particularly those with international ramifications.


Representative files and mandates

Throughout his career, Mr. Flam has been involved in a variety of complex, high-stakes and high-profile cases that have become milestones in the development of Quebec and Canadian law. His experience includes:

  • The Morgentaler case Defended Dr. Henry Morgentaler, accused of performing abortions, an extremely significant case raising arguments based on constitutional law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
  • The Castor Holdings case Represented some 15 European investors, whose claims totalled over $300M (principal and interest), in a massive case involving the professional liability of auditors
  • John C. Doyle Played a key role in the withdrawal of criminal charges against John C. Doyle after the Supreme Court’s decision, a key step in a long judicial saga that redefined important parts of Canadian corporate and criminal law
  • Numerous disputes involving the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, including the Supreme Court’s decision on the constitutional validity of the Newfoundland Mining and Mineral Rights Tax Act
  • Defended Burger King Corporation against a real estate brokerage commission’s claim for payment
  • Defended a foreign bank against a cross-border claim for over $11M arising from international consumer transactions involving credit cards and a plaintiff in the Caribbean
  • Represented shareholders of the Kruger paper company in a landmark oppression remedy case
  • Defended an oil merchant against a $12M cross-border claim caused by a sudden drop in the market price between the expected and effective delivery date of an oil shipment


Honours

  • Included in the Best Lawyers in Canada directory under Corporate Law and Commercial Litigation (2008-2023)
  • Nominated as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (2011), and a Senior Fellow (2018) – Mr. Flam was the 7th Quebec lawyer, and only the 59th in Canada, to receive this honour
  • Nominated as the first Canadian member of the American Institute of Appellate Practice (2013)


Associations

  • Canadian Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • American Association for Justice
  • Quebec Bar Foundation: Governor Emeritus
  • Trial Law Institute
  • Diversity Law Institute
  • Quebec Bar: former member of the Disciplinary Committee
  • Montreal Bar: former member of the Deliberations Committee, and the Committee on the Illegal Practice of Law


Publications and Conferences

Mr. Flam has been a frequent lecturer and guest speaker on various aspects of commercial litigation, especially cross-border issues.



Community Involvement

Canadian Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem: Honorary Chairman



Education

Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.), First Class Honours

McGill University

1966

Bachelor of Arts

McGill University

1963


Call to Bar

Quebec

1967