Department profile
Bennett Jones LLP

Healthcare: Contentious

Canada Guide 2026 : Nationwide - Canada


Bennett Jones LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Bennett Jones LLP

We advise and defend health professionals, institutions and associations on medical, regulatory and liability issues in Canada's complex health care system.

Canada's highly regulated health care system involves multiple stakeholders and is often a contentious, controversial environment in which to operate. The medical community is acutely aware of this and looks for ways to practise medicine safely despite circumstances and finances that often result in competing priorities and a need for compromise. And where compromise fails, litigation often follows.

Bennett Jones covers all aspects of health law, advising professional associations, health-care institutions and the medical professions on a variety of claims alleging wrongful death, personal injury, professional negligence and professional misconduct. Having acted for the Canadian Medical Protective Association, as well as health-care professionals, we bring decades of experience and knowledge of medical practice and procedure to our work. Our clients include hospitals, medical service providers and health regions. In addition, we represent both plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury matters.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Healthcare: Contentious - Nationwide - Canada

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Bennett Jones possesses a robust litigation group that enjoys a strong reputation for its experience in representing health professionals and associations in Alberta in medical malpractice and negligence defence. The firm often acts for the CMPA on other contentious issues, including mandatory vaccination, defamation claims and allegations of unprofessional behaviour.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Bennett Jones represented Pharmascience in the generic pharmaceuticals price-fixing conspiracy class action.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Bennett Jones's communication and accessibility are exceptional.

    Healthcare: Contentious respondentCanada
  • Bennett Jones is extremely comprehensive and has a broad base of expertise within the firm in dealing with healthcare-related concerns.

    Healthcare: Contentious respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 3Barbara Stratton
    Band 3Barbara Stratton

    Barbara Stratton

    Barbara Stratton KC is noted for her expertise in contentious matters. She co-heads Bennett Jones's health law practice and is the managing partner of the Edmonton office.

    • Barbara Stratton’s service, expertise and commercial insight are critical in achieving successful outcomes.

      Healthcare: Contentious respondentCanada
  • Band 4David R. McKinnon
    Band 4David R. McKinnon

    David R. McKinnon

    David McKinnon of Bennett Jones' Calgary office represents physicians in professional negligence matters, including malpractice claims and professional disciplinary proceedings.

    • David McKinnon is a great and knowledgeable lawyer.

      Healthcare: Contentious respondentCanada
    • It is always a pleasure to interact with David. He is hard working, easy to understand and is always ahead of the game.

      Healthcare: Contentious respondentCanada
    • David is an excellent medical defence litigator.

      Healthcare: Contentious respondentCanada
  • Band 4James J Heelan
    Band 4James J Heelan

    James J Heelan

    Alberta-based James Heelan KC is held in high regard for his ability to represent physicians facing allegations of misconduct before the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. He has further experience handling medical negligence cases.

    • James provides experienced, personable and personalised service. He has tremendous expertise.

      Healthcare: Contentious respondentCanada
    • James Heelan is a fantastic legal representative with vast in-depth knowledge of the medical legal field.

      Healthcare: Contentious respondentCanada

Ranked Individuals at Bennett Jones LLP (3)

Nationwide - Canada

Members

Provided by Bennett Jones LLP

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