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The Barreau du Québec has suspended the law licence of Émile Benamor, who is currently facing manslaughter charges tied to his ownership of an Old Montreal building that went up in flames, killing seven people.
The Barreau posted a notice on its website on Friday announcing the suspension.
The notice cites the organization’s professional code, which states that members’ law licences can be suspended provisionally as an emergency measure to protect the public when a member is facing serious criminal charges.
Benamor is facing seven counts of manslaughter in connection with the fatal Old Montreal fire that killed seven people in 2023.
He was charged in March, after a three-year investigation. The fire, which tore through the more-than-100-year-old heritage property at the intersection of Place D’Youville and du Port, was deliberately set, according to investigators.
The charges against Benamor do not allege he had anything to do with setting the fire, but they do allege that his negligence accelerated the propagation of the fire.
The building had multiple fire code violations and several of its units were being used as illegal Airbnbs when it burned.
Benamor entered no plea when he was arrested.
In 2021, Benamor’s law licence was limited in the wake of his conviction for tax evasion.