He then entered Université Laval where he received a law degree in 1862 and was called to the bar of Lower Canada in 1863.

He also pursued an interest in politics and began publishing a short-lived newspaper.

Various forays into public life followed and in 1872 was elected to the House of Commons of Canada.

By age 37 his reputation earned him an appointment to the Quebec Superior Court and he served there until 1901 sitting as judge in many important trials.

His death in 1909 left a legacy of writings on the law as part of the records in the courts and commissions where he served.