Executive Summary

Robert Charbonneau is a litigation partner in our Montréal office as well as Montréal Regional Leader of both our Aviation Group and Product Liability Group. Robert focuses his practice on class actions, as well as insurance, civil liability and product liability, including aviation matters, and is ranked as a leading lawyer in these areas of law by the foremost legal rankings publications.

Robert has handled class actions for over 18 years, representing clients such as blood banks, retail chains, motor vehicle, pharmaceutical, electronic and computer manufacturers, insurers, chartered banks and other financial institutions. These cases involved matters ranging from contaminated blood to advertising, disclosure of credit rates and fees, latent defects, defamation, price-fixing, malicious prosecution and insurance coverage. Robert has been representing clients in insurance matters for over 30 years, acting primarily on behalf of Québec, Canadian, American, European and Japanese insurers, as well as non-insurer corporations, in files involving commercial and industrial insurance, aviation insurance, life and disability insurance as well the professional liability of insurance brokers. 

Also for over 30 years, Robert has represented and defended manufacturers of various products, either on their behalf and/or on behalf of their insurers, in cases involving, among other things, construction products, biological and pharmaceutical products, motor vehicles and household appliances. 

As an extension of his significant practice in the areas of insurance, civil liability and product liability, Robert has, for some 25 years, represented clients in numerous aviation matters, acting primarily on behalf of Canadian, American, British and French insurers, whether in defense or subrogation. His cases have involved fixed-wing and rotor aircraft and parts manufacturers and repairers, engine manufacturers and repairers, airports, airlines and general aviation. He has also advised a number of manufacturers with respect to their product recalls.

Publications & Presentations

  • Has written articles and participated in conferences on various topics in his areas of law, including presentations to groups of insurers, brokers and members of the Québec Bar.
  • Québec coordinator of BLG's Insurance Litigation Group's newsletter.

 

Rankings & Recognitions

  • Recognized in the 2013 edition of The Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (Class Actions).
  • Recognized in the 2013 edition of Chambers Global – The World's Leading Lawyers for Business (Dispute Resolution: Class Actions; Dispute Resolution: Québec).
  • Selected by peers for inclusion in the 2013 edition (and since 2006) of The Best Lawyers in Canada (Aviation Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Class Action Litigation, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation, Product Liability Law).
  • Martindale-Hubbell® BV® Distinguished™ 4.4 out of 5 Peer Review Rated.
  • Recognized in Benchmark Canada — The Definitive Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys (Class Actions, Insurance, Product Liability).
  • Recognized in the 2012 edition of The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Aviation — Regulation and Liability, Class Actions, Litigation — Commercial Insurance, Litigation — Product Liability)
  • Recognized as the "Montréal Product Liability Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in Canada®  in its 2010 edition.