Landlord facing charges after deadly Old Montreal fire has lawyer’s licence suspended

Émile Benamor covers his face as he leaves the Montreal police station after being granted bail on manslaughter charges on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (CTV News)

A Montreal landlord who is facing criminal charges after a deadly fire at one his properties three years ago has had his lawyer’s licence temporarily suspended.

The Barreau du Québec said in a decision issued on Thursday by its disciplinary council that Émile Haïm Benamor cannot practice law or use the title of lawyer.

Last month, prosecutors charged Benamor with manslaughter and criminal negligence causing bodily harm after a building he owns in Old Montreal was set on fire, killing seven people and injuring several others on March 16, 2023. A judge agreed to release him on a $10,000 bail.

Benamor, 63, has held a lawyer’s licence since 1987. His suspension remains in effect pending the outcome of his trial, which has not yet been scheduled. A spokesperson for the Crown prosecution office has previously said he expects the trial to start sooner rather than later since the case is proceeding by indictment, which eliminates the need for a preliminary inquiry.

His next court appearance is set for June.

Shooting at Benamor law firm office

On Oct. 4, 2024, another one of his buildings, also in Old Montreal, was set on fire, this time killing two people: French tourist Léonor Geraudie and her seven-year-old daughter, Vérane Reynaud-Geraudie.

In that case, two young men were arrested and are facing criminal charges, including second-degree murder.

Five days after the second fatal fire, the office for Benamor’s law firm, Benamor Avocats, was hit by gunfire. No one was injured in the overnight shooting, but police found bullet holes in the building, near the corner of Berri and Saint-Antoine streets.

Three people between the ages of 17 and 20 were arrested and are facing charges.