Bennett Jones LLP is pleased to announce that the Honourable Mr. John C. Major, has rejoined the firm's Calgary office.

Recently retired from the Supreme Court of Canada, Mr. Major, practised with Bennett Jones as a partner for 34 years until he was appointed to the Alberta Court of Appeal in 1991. He was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada on November 13, 1992.

"Mr. Major was a strong builder of Bennett Jones before he left for the bench and we hope he picks up where he left off," said Hugh MacKinnon, National Managing Partner for Bennett Jones.

He will provide strategic and tactical reviews of litigation matters for the firm's clients; play a leading role in mediations; and will be a mentor to our lawyers as they strive to provide to their clients the best advice possible.

"Jack has always had a genius for distilling complicated facts and problems down to their very essence, which is why he was not only a leading litigator, but was a director of a number of significant public Canadian corporations. We are pleased to welcome him back," MacKinnon further stated.

Mr. Major was a driving force in the Alberta legal community. He was involved in cases that brought about significant changes in local, provincial and federal policies and legislation.

During his time with the Supreme Court of Canada, Mr. Major sat on nearly 1000 cases.

Prior to his appointment to the Alberta Court of Appeal, Mr. Major served as counsel to the Canadian Medical Protective Association (Alberta), 1971-91; senior counsel for the City of Calgary Police Service, 1975-85; counsel at the CCB and Northland Bank (Estey Commission); and was senior counsel for the Province of Alberta at the Code Inquiry into the collapse of Principal Group of Companies, 1987.

Educated at Loyola College (now Concordia University) and the University of Toronto Law School, Mr. Major is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice, the Canadian Judges Conference, and the Canadian Medical Protective Association.