Former prime minister Jean Chrétien has a new job.

Chrétien, who turned 80 last month, will work in the Ottawa law office of Dentons Canada.

The former Liberal leader was among those thrown out of work when the prestigious law firm Heenan Blaikie announced recently it would close.

Dentons Canada praised Chrétien's leadership and experience in international diplomacy.

Marcel Aubut, the chairman of the Canadian Olympic Committee who also worked with Heenan Blaikie, is heading to the BCF law firm where he'll be a partner and vice-president of the board of directors.

He'll be bringing about 30 lawyers from Heenan Blaikie's team in Montreal and Quebec City with him.

Founded in 1973, Heenan Blaikie announced last week it was winding up.

It said it had decided on dissolution following an analysis of its restructuring options.

Chrétien was not the only former prime minister to work there.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau was also on its roster before his death in 2000.

As well, former Quebec premier Pierre Marc Johnson and ex-Supreme Court of Canada justice Michel Bastarache also worked there.

Heenan Blaikie once had 500 lawyers in eight offices across Canada. It is to end its operations during the next few weeks.

