Jacques R. Fournier’s practice is focused on mediation and arbitration of complex disputes, both domestic and international, as well as providing related strategic advice.
As part of the firm’s Professional Excellence Program, he mentors young lawyers specializing in litigation. He also assists firm members in preparing for hearings before the Superior Court and Court of Appeal of Québec.
Prior to joining BLG, Jacques sat as Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Québec from 2015 to 2022. He had been Associate Chief Justice since 2013 following a period as judge at the Court of Appeal in 2011. He was first appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Québec in 2002 and was designated as coordinating judge for the judicial district of Laval in 2007.
In private practice, Jacques was initially interested in real estate, administrative and security interest law. Throughout his career, he has been consistently involved with the Québec and Montréal Bar Associations. He was an instructor at the École du Barreau for ten years and also an instructor at the Université du Québec à Montréal and the Université de Montréal. He helped in facilitating training seminars for new judges as part of a program offered jointly by the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice and the National Judicial Institute, beginning in 2008 for Québec judges and in 2015 for federal judges. Jacques also acted as counsel for the Moisan Commission.
From 1993 to 1997, he acted as a special prosecutor in disciplinary cases. From 1997 to 1999, he was first vice president of the Barreau du Quebec and the Bâtonnier (president) of same in 1998-1999.
In addition, he was a member of the conduct committee at the Canadian Judicial Counsel.