Description
Bernard Cliche heads the Labour & Administrative Law group at Langlois Kronström Desjardins, one of the leading groups in this field in Quebec, numbering some 30 professionals. He has been in private practice for over 20 years. During his career, he also served for 10 years as head of the legal department of the CSST (Occupational Health & Safety Board).

Recognized for his people-centred approach and his wide-ranging knowledge on many health & safety issues, Bernard is a respected and accomplished practitioner in the field of insurance against, prevention of and compensation for personal injury. Among the highlights of his career has been his contribution to the implementation of prevention mutuals (groups of employers organized for the purpose of obtaining health & safety insurance reductions) in Quebec.

Bernard represents businesses and corporations before the courts and specialized tribunals. Highly regarded by colleagues and top executives at many Quebec organizations, he serves as strategic advisor to major employer groups and associations as well as government bodies.

A prolific author in his field, Bernard has written more than a dozen books, some of which continue to be important reference works. His most recent publication was in 2008, when he collaborated with several of his colleagues from the firm to update the 6th edition of Le Droit du travail du Québec (Quebec Labour Law) by Robert P. Gagnon (deceased in 2006). He is also a highly sought-after conference speaker on occupational health & safety, industrial accidents and administrative law.

Bernard is very active in the community, especially where young people are concerned, and has sat on the board of directors of charitable organizations such as Moisson Québec and the Fondation du Centre jeunesse de Québec, both of which he chaired.

He has been a graduate-course lecturer at Laval University and an instructor with the Quebec Bar in public & administrative law for fifteen years. He currently represents the Quebec Bar on the Quebec government task force on administrative tribunals, to which the chairs of these tribunals belong.

Bernard is one of the three designated representatives of associations of employer groups on the working group tasked with making recommendations to the CSST, Québec's occupational health and safety board, on protection mechanisms and other aspects of Québec's occupational health and safety legislation.

Bernard is listed as a leader in workplace injury and occupational health & safety law in the Canadian Legal Lexpert® 2008 and 2009 directories. He is also included in the prestigious The Best Lawyers in Canada 2011 and 2012 directory as an occupational injury specialist, and in the 2009 edition of the International WHO'S WHO of Professionals directory. 

In 2010, he received the Médaille du Barreau de Québec, the medal of the Quebec City Bar. The Médaille du Barreau de Québec is awarded each year to a member of Quebec City’s legal community pursuant to a resolution of the Council of the Québec City Bar upon the recommendation of the Bâtonnière (head) of the Quebec City Bar.


Associations & Achievements
Bernard has sat and continues to sit on various boards of directors for charitable organizations such as Moisson Québec and the Fondation du Centre jeunesse de Québec, both of which he chaired. Currently chairman of the board of directors of the Fiducie des Augustines trust.

He has been a graduate-program instructor at Laval University and he represents the Quebec Bar on the Quebec government task force on administrative tribunals, to which the chairs of these tribunals belong. He has also chaired the Quebec Bar–CLP (Industrial Accidents Board) work group. He is Governor of the Quebec Bar Foundation.

Bernard has been an Administrative Law instructor at the Quebec Bar’s Professional Training School for nearly fifteen years.

He is a sought-after conference speaker on topics concerning occupational health & safety, industrial accidents and administrative law.

Presentations & Conferences
Bernard Cliche has given dozens of presentations on topics including occupational health and safety, industrial accidents, and human rights. 

Publications
2008 - Le Droit du travail du Québec (Quebec Labour Law), Robert P. Gagnon, 6th edition, Les Éditions Yvon Blais

2005 - Le Harcèlement et les lésions psychologiques (Harassment and Psychological Injury), Les Éditions Yvon Blais

2003 - Précis de procédure civil du Québec (Summary of Quebec Civil Procedure, section on injunctions), 4th edition, Les Éditions Yvon Blais

1998 - L'Injonction (Injunctions), Cowansville, Les Éditions Yvon Blais

1997 - Les accidents du travail et les maladies professionnelles (Industrial Accidents and Occupational Illnesses), Cowansville, Les Éditions Yvon Blais

1993 - Traité de droit de la santé et de la sécurité au travail (Treatise on Occupational Health & Safety Law), Cowansville, Les Éditions Yvon Blais

1990 - Les recours extraordinaires (Extraordinary Recourses), Montreal, Wilson & Lafleur Ltd., (Collection Aide-mémoire)

1989 - Santé et sécurité au travail (Occupational Health & Safety), Montreal, Wilson & Lafleur Ltd., (Collection Aide-mémoire)

1989 - Accidents du travail et maladies professionnelles (Industrial Accidents and Occupational Illnesses), Montreal, Wilson & Lafleur Ltd., (Collection Aide-mémoire)
1986 - Droit de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (Occupational Health & Safety), Cowansville, Les Éditions Yvon Blais

1985 - La Loi sur les accidents du travail et les maladies professionnelles: les aspects pratiques et juridiques du nouveau régime (The Act Respecting Industrial Accidents and Occupational Diseases: Practical and Legal Aspects of the New System), Cowansville, Les Éditions Yvon Blais, 1985 (1st edition), 1992 (3rd edition), 1997 (4th edition), 2007 (6th edition).

Representative mandates
Represents various businesses in actions involving insurance against, prevention and compensation for workplace injury.

Represents various employer groups and associations with regard to regulatory amendments.

Represents clients seeking legislative or regulatory amendments before government organizations.