Pierre Boivin

Pierre joined Kugler Kandestin at the very beginning of his practice, in 1989. His primary areas of practice are class actions, civil liability, and insurance law. He has represented diverse groups of victims of sexual abuse, consumers, and non-profit organizations in files relating to human rights and freedoms, consumer law, manufacturer’s liability, and civil liability. He is recognized by Best Lawyers® as one of the best lawyers in Canada, as selected by his peers. He is a regular speaker on class action and civil liability matters and has acted as a consultant for public affairs programs.

Pierre frequently works on a contingency fee basis if clients cannot afford to pay legal fees to fund litigation.

Pierre regularly pleads cases before all courts of Quebec. He has also represented victims of sexual abuse before the Supreme Court of Canada.

Pierre is married and the proud father of 2 boys.

Practice Areas

• Class Actions
• Insurance and Professional Liability
• Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice
• Civil and Commercial Litigation

Year of Call to the Bar

1989

Recognition

• Recognized for many years in The Best Lawyers in Canada®.
• Recognized as a “Litigation Star” in Benchmark Canada: The Definitive Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys.
• Lauréats du Prix Jean-Pierre-Bélanger 2015 special edition awarded by l’Association pour la santé publique du Québec (ASPQ).

Education

• Université de Montréal, LL.B., 1986
• London University (King’s College), LL.M., 1988

Among the noteworthy cases that Pierre has handled as lead or co-lead counsel, are:

• Létourneau and CQTS vs. Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd and al2015 QCCS 2382, confirmed by the Court of Appeal (2019 QCCA 358). This is a landmark judgment of more than $15 billion holding the Canadian tobacco industry responsible for diseases caused to smokers by cigarette smoking.
• Tremblay vs.Lavoie et al. 2010 QCCS 5945 (authorization judgment) and Tremblay Lavoie et al. 2014 QCCS 3185 (merit judgment). This is the first decision on the merits of a class action to compensate victims of sexual abuse. Following this judgment, an out-of-court settlement of $20 million was reached, which was approved by the Superior Court of Quebec.
• Centre de la Communauté sourde de Montréal Métropolitain vs. Clercs de Saint-Viateur du Canada, 2012 QCCS 1146. This is a judgment authorizing a class action to compensate deaf children who were victims of sexual abuse. Following this authorization, an out-of-court agreement of $30 million was reached, which was approved by the Superior Court of Quebec.
• F. vs. Frères du Sacré-Cœurs, 2021 QCCS 3621. This is a judgment approving a $60 million settlement obtained on behalf of victims of sexual abuse by members of the religious order Frères du Sacré-Cœurs This amount is the highest obtained in a class action in Quebec history for victims of sexual abuse.
• Y. vs. Servites de Marie de Québec, 2021 QCCS 2712. This is a judgment approving a $11,600,000 settlement obtained on behalf of victims of sexual abuse by members of the religious order Servites de Marie de Quebec. This amount represented all of the defendants’ assets.
• Union des consommateurs vs. Concession A25, s.e.c.2013 QCCS 76. This is a judgment authorizing a class action to compensate consumers who used the A25 Bridge and from whom crossing fees had been claimed without them having been properly posted. Following this authorization, an out-of-court agreement of close to $5 million was reached, which was approved by the Superior Court of Quebec.
• Union des consommateurs vs. Sirius XM Canada In, 2018 QCCS 2137.This is a judgment authorizing a class action on behalf of Quebec consumers whose subscription fees were unilaterally increased in contravention of the Consumer Protection Act. Following this authorization, an out-of-court agreement of $22 million was reached, which is fix for approval by the court on November 3, 2023.
• Factory Mutual Insurance vs. CompanyRichelieu métal Québec inc. 2009 QCCS 1057, appeal dismissed (2011 QCCA 1690). This is a judgment of more than $6 million in capital and interest against the entities responsible for damages caused by the collapse of a roof.
• Imbeault vs. Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel de Maisonneuve 2006 QCCS 5399, confirmed in substance in (2008 QCCA 1102). This is a judgment of nearly $1 million in capital and interest against the parties liable for damages caused to the Plaintiff for the loss of an eye.

Professional Affiliations

• The Bar of Québec
• The Bar of Montréal
• The Canadian Bar Association