A partner with Heenan Blaikie, Jean-François Bienjonetti works mainly in civil, commercial and insurance litigation matters. He regularly appears before civil tribunals and handles matters in the areas of construction law, banking law, civil and professional liability as well as product liability.

Mr. Bienjonetti is frequently called upon to manage long-term cases. Whether a commercial or civil liability matter, these complex litigations bring about substantial risks and are often given important media coverage.

For instance, Mr. Bienjonetti obtained an injunction on behalf of the Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique, an environmental protection group, against a company that was conducting the recycling of metals without having first obtained the authorization from the Ministry of the Environment. The company counterattacked with a $5-million claim for damages against the AQLPA and its President. By ensuring that the defence of this legal action follows through, Mr. Bienjonetti opens up the debate around proceedings intended to silence citizens who choose to exercise their rights, widely known in the United States under the acronym “SLAPP”. This is without doubt one of the most important debates currently transpiring in North America and is rapidly becoming a major political stake in Quebec.

In addition, Mr. Bienjonetti recently obtained judgement for approximately $2 million for injuries his client sustained in a serious accident. Furthermore, he is currently involved in a $2.5-million case founded on misleading claims with regard to soil conditions.

Mr. Bienjonetti is also a member of the team that represents the Autorité des marchés financiers in the $130-million class action instituted by investors in the Norbourg affair.