McCarthy Tétrault: Bennett Jensen Appointed Pro Bono Counsel

• McCarthy Tétrault has appointed Bennett Jensen as its first dedicated pro bono counsel.
• Jensen, a renowned human rights advocate, will enhance the firm's community partnerships and public interest work.
• His prior roles include legal director at Egale Canada, where he was instrumental in passing Bill C-4 to block conversion therapy in Canada.
• Jensen also advised the federal government as legal director to the justice minister and attorney general.
• He has received multiple awards, including the Guthrie Award and recognition as one of Canada's most influential lawyers.

This strategic move underscores the firm's dedication to leveraging its legal expertise for societal benefit.

McCarthy Tétrault has announced the appointment of Bennett Jensen as its inaugural dedicated pro bono counsel, marking a significant expansion of the firm's commitment to public interest law. Jensen, a distinguished human rights advocate, will be instrumental in strengthening the firm's engagement with both existing and new community partners as it addresses critical public interest matters across Canada. This strategic move underscores the firm's dedication to leveraging its legal expertise for societal benefit.

While taking on this specialized leadership role, Mr. Jensen will also be integrated into McCarthy Tétrault’s litigation group. Tom Sutton, who leads the litigation and dispute resolution group, emphasized that this appointment reflects the firm’s innovative approach to delivering pro bono services. He noted that Jensen's responsibilities extend beyond traditional litigation, focusing on building connections across various internal groups and with clients to support a wider array of programs and initiatives, thereby extending the firm's reach to individuals and communities in need.

Bennett Jensen brings a wealth of experience from a career consistently dedicated to defending marginalized groups and individuals. Prior to joining McCarthy Tétrault, he served as the legal director at Egale Canada, where he revitalized the organization's internal legal function. During his tenure, he was a driving force behind the strategic vision for advancing 2SLGBTQI legal rights and orchestrated a nationwide response to legislative and policy efforts targeting transgender individuals.

Notably, Mr. Jensen played a pivotal role in the successful passage of Bill C-4, landmark legislation that effectively banned conversion therapy across Canada. His public service also includes a period with the federal government as the director of legal to the justice minister and attorney general, providing counsel to the attorney general, the Prime Minister’s Office, and other ministers on complex, high-profile litigation involving the federal government. Earlier in his career, as a litigator and pro bono attorney at the U.S. firm Paul Weiss, he led responses to major national human rights and civil rights crises, including the Muslim travel ban and the child-parent separation crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Mr. Jensen's profound contributions to access to justice and human rights advocacy have garnered significant recognition. Last year, the Law Foundation of Ontario honored him with the prestigious Guthrie Award. He has also received the Canadian Bar Association’s National SAGDA Hero Award and Start Proud’s Leader to be Proud of Award, further highlighting his impact within the legal and LGBTQ2S+ communities.

His influence extends to broader legal circles, as evidenced by his inclusion in Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada last year, where his work in human rights, advocacy, and criminal law was specifically acknowledged. Additionally, the American Bar Association recognized him among its Top 40 Young Lawyers. Steeves Bujold, McCarthy Tétrault’s chief inclusion officer, underscored the firm's long-standing history of providing Canadian law firm pro bono services to address pressing social and human rights issues, expressing confidence that Mr. Jensen's remarkable record, passion, and skill will elevate this commitment to new heights.

This appointment signals a significant commitment by a major Canadian firm to expand its pro bono and human rights practice, potentially creating new opportunities for collaboration on public interest matters or setting a precedent for other firms to establish dedicated pro bono leadership roles. Lawyers and compliance officers should note the growing emphasis on human rights advocacy within large legal institutions.

Source: Original reporting via Canadian Lawyer