Dentons Canada is pleased to announce that the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, P.C., C.C., O.M., Q.C., Ad. E., has joined our firm as Counsel.

Mr. Chrétien was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada and held that office for over ten years, from November 4, 1993, to December 12, 2003, winning three consecutive majority governments during his tenure. As Prime Minister, Mr. Chrétien stressed balanced budgets, national unity and a strengthened place for Canada in the world. His government’s legacy also includes a number of social reform and humanitarian initiatives.

“This is a very exciting time for Dentons and for our clients,” comments Elliott Portnoy, Global Chief Executive Officer for Dentons. “Mr. Chrétien is a renowned global leader, bringing his international experience and diplomacy to our Dentons team. We greatly look forward to working with him, as will our clients.”

Mr. Chrétien was first elected as a Member of the House of Commons in 1963. During his career, he also served as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, President of the Treasury Board, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, Minister of National Revenue, Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs and Minister in charge of Social Development.

“We are very honoured to welcome the internationally recognized and highly respected Mr. Chrétien to our firm,” says Chris Pinnington, Dentons’ Canada Chief Executive Officer. “Our clients, whether they are based in Canada or around the world, will greatly benefit from Mr. Chrétien’s wealth of experience, expertise and keen insights in public policy and government decision-making.”

In 2007, Mr. Chrétien was appointed Companion of the Order of Canada, and in 2009, he was awarded the Order of Merit by Her Majesty Elizabeth II.

In addition, in 2008, Mr. Chrétien became Co-Chair of the InterAction Council, an international organization that mobilizes the experience, energy and international networks of former Heads of State and Government. Council members jointly develop recommendations and practical solutions for the political, economic and social problems confronting the global community.

Mr. Chrétien completed his law studies at Université Laval and was admitted to the Québec Bar in 1958. He is also a member of the Ontario Bar. He was awarded an honorary degree in law by Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo (1981), as well as honorary doctorates from Laurentian University in Sudbury and from University of Western Ontario in London (1982), from the Glendon College of York University in Toronto (1986), from the University of Alberta in Edmonton (1987) and Lakehead University in Thunder Bay (1988). Mr. Chrétien was also the recipient of honorary doctorates from Ottawa University (1994), Meiji University in Japan (1996), the Warsaw School of Economics in Poland (1999), Michigan State University (1999), Hebrew University in Jerusalem (2000), Memorial University in St. John’s (2000), Université Ste. Anne (2002), Université Catholique Pontificate Madre y Maestra in Santiago de los Caballeros in Dominican Republic (2003), Queen’s University in Kingston (2004), McMaster University in Hamilton (2005), the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Ukraine (2007), Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (2008), Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business (2010), Université de Montréal (2011).

Mr. Chrétien will work out of Dentons Canada’s Ottawa office and will also be active and engaged with all other Dentons offices.

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