Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Partner

Gilbert Hourani provides litigation defence services to Canadian and foreign insurers carrying on business in Canada and in the U.S. With an extensive background in insurance and construction law and civil litigation, his practice focuses on professional liability of general and specialized contractors and engineering firms. This extends to providing clients strategic legal advisory services with respect to risk management and insurance coverage.

With over 30 years of experience, Gilbert represents public and private entities of all sizes, and brings specialized knowledge with respect to insurance defence and risk management for professional and financial indemnity and general line programs underwritten in Canada.

His clients include several Lloyds of London Syndicates holding a Canadian book of business, managing general agencies and Canadian cover holders, and most of the Canadian TPA outfits leading casualty and property programs in Canada for Underwriters, Société mutuelle d’assurance, Groupe Promutuel Fédération des sociétés mutuelles d’assurance générale, HUB International, Arthur J. Gallagher, April Canada, GPL Assurances, RSA, Economical Insurance Group, Allianz and others. Gilbert is also regularly appointed by large insureds in COC claims, notably WSP Canada Inc. and SNC-Lavalin Inc.

Gilbert is often called upon to speak at conferences and actively engages within the industry, particularly as a member of the Barreau du Québec. His ongoing involvement includes roles on various committees such as the one for continuing education, and as chair of the annual insurance law seminar.

Professional Involvement McGill Mock Trials Trainer and Judge, McGill University Faculty of Law, 2023-2025 Academic Associate, Insurance Law course, McGill University Faculty of Law, Fall Term 2020 Continuing Education Committee, Barreau du Québec Annual Insurance Law Conference, Barreau du Québec Legal Advisor in Canada for the London Market Association Canadian Sub-group (LMA - BASCG)

Education

LLB, Université de Montréal Specialized Graduate Diploma in Commercial Law (DESS), Université de Montréal Private International Law, student program, The Hague Academy of International Law

Bar Admission

Québec, 1994

Community Involvement Member, Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau at the Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine Member, Board of Directors, Collège Beaubois, elementary and secondary sectors