Quebec Liberal Party Leader Jean Charest responds to questions at a news conference in Saint-Romain, Que., on Wednesday, August 29, 2012. Quebecers are going to the polls on Sept. 4.Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press
It may not have been his number-one job choice, but former Quebec premier Jean Charest has decided to return to practising law.
Sources tell The Canadian Press that Mr. Charest will likely accept a post at one of Montreal's largest law firms.
While his choice of law firm may not be final, sources close to Mr. Charest say there's no doubt about his decision to return to the field.
Mr. Charest, who served as Quebec premier for nine years, has received offers from five major law firms in Montreal and one in Toronto since losing the provincial election on Sept. 4.
Mr. Charest briefly practised law in Sherbrooke, Que., before embarking on a career in politics in 1984 at age 26 that spanned nearly three decades at the provincial and federal level.
He stepped down as leader of the Quebec Liberals after losing to the Parti Québécois.
His former aides, who requested anonymity, say Mr. Charest wants to work at a Montreal firm that will enable him to practise law while using his extensive network of contacts in Quebec and around the world.
Before making his decision, sources say Mr. Charest decided to take time off after a gruelling election campaign. He returned last Saturday from a trip to Europe and Asia.