Gerard Chouest is a Past Chairman of the aviation law section of the Canadian Bar Association and a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He is also named as a leading practitioner in Lexpert, listed in The Best Lawyers in Canada directory, as well as the Institutional Investor’s Guide to the World’s Leading Aviation Lawyers and the Aviation Section of The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers.

A graduate of the University of Toronto Law School with over 25 years of experience in aviation-related legal work, Gerard heads the aviation practice group at Bersenas Jacobsen Chouest Thomson Blackburn LLP. He has represented scores of air carriers in tort, contractual and regulatory litigation. Significant cases include major accident litigation and precedent-setting regulatory decisions.

Gerard participated in representations of Air India, following the bombing of Flight 182 on 23 June 1985, and of Air Ontario in the public inquiry following the Flight 1363 crash at Dryden, Ontario, on 10 March 1989. He represented Canada 3000 before the Canada Human Rights Tribunal in a case which established the priority of aviation safety over religious preference, and also represented Canadian carriers Air Canada and WestJet in regulatory litigation concerning the obligations of air carriers to persons with disabilities.

Gerard has conducted numerous trials, appeals and tribunal hearings involving air carriers on issues as diverse as mechanical and operational fitness, cargo loss and damage, human rights and accident investigation. He also advises on licensing, regulatory compliance, and transactional work, including aviation product leases and sale agreements. He is a frequent speaker at conferences, including the International Bar Association annual meeting and the IATA Legal Symposium.