Get to Know Jim

Jim Bennett was born and grew up in Daniel's Harbour. He finished high school at Herdman Collegiate in Corner Brook and then attended Memorial University graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.

After university Jim first entered the life insurance and investment field where he remained for 15 years. Jim received numerous sales awards in both Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta and also successfully completed the Chartered Life Undewriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations.

In 1991 Jim moved to Windsor, Ontario to study law. He graduated from both the University of Windsor with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and University of Detroit Mercy with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Jim was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada, in 1996 and remained in Windsor for six more years, appearing before numerous Ontario courts on behalf of hundreds of clients.

While in Ontario Jim also served as legal member for the Office of the Commissioner of Review Tribunals (Canada Pension Plan). In this role he heard Canada pension appeals from nearly 500 disabled people in both Ontario and Manitoba.

In 2002 Jim brought his experience back home to work where he grew up, setting up his office in Daniel's Harbour, helping people people of his home province. Over the past 9 years he has been a formidable presence in the legal community. Prominent examples of his work include the St. Anthony Air Ambulance case where he obtained a Court Order to examine Minister of Health Jerome Kennedy, the first time in Canadian history that a cabinet minister has been required to testify under oath.

He has also racked up several decisions against Alberta companies and the Alberta Workers Compensation Board on behalf of workers from this province. In one case he travelled to Calgary, AB to successfully represent his client, an injured worker, from Cow Head. In another case he filed 10 liens against an Alberta oilsands project on behalf of truckers from this province who weren't being paid. In another he dragged a large Alberta company into court in Corner Brook for wrongful dismissal of a Newfoundland worker.

At home Jim has appeared in courts in St. John's, Clarenville, Grand Bank, Gander, Grand Falls, Corner Brook, St. Anthony, Plum Point, Port au Choix, Rocky Harbour and Labrador. He has handled so many fisheries cases provincewide that in some areas he is simply known as the fisherman's lawyer.

For more stories about Jim and his political experience you can click on the links below:

Jim Begins His Life-Long Liberal Activity 

Jim's Early Introduction to Politics