The Honourable John C. (Jack) Major, retired Supreme Court of Canada judge, rejoined the firm as a consultant in 2006 upon his return to private legal practice.
In that role, he provides strategic and tactical reviews of significant matters for the firm's clients and is a senior mentor to the lawyers and staff of the firm. His present area of practice includes mediation, arbitration, corporate governance and consultation.
The Honourable Jack Major has helped shape the legal landscape in Canada through his years as a lawyer, judge and now as counsel. In 1967, he became a litigation partner at Bennett Jones and practised at the firm for 34 years. He was involved in several cases that brought about significant changes in local, provincial and federal policies and legislation. He also served as counsel to the Canadian Medical Protective Association (Alberta); counsel for the City of Calgary Police Service; counsel at the CCB and Northland Bank (Estey Commission) and was counsel for the Province of Alberta at the Code Inquiry into the collapse of Principal Group of Companies, 1987.
On July 11, 1991, the Honourable Jack Major was appointed to the Alberta Court of Appeal. The following year, on November 13, 1992, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada. During his time with the Supreme Court of Canada, he presided over approximately 1000 cases on matters ranging from assisted suicide to the death penalty to Quebec separation.
In March 2006, he was appointed to the Alberta Securities Commission as an independent member and, in May 2006, he was appointed as commissioner to conduct an inquiry into the investigation of the bombing of Air India Flight 182.
The Honourable Jack Major is a member of the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice and the Canadian Judges Conference. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1972, and was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada in July 2008.
Bennett Jones