Department profile
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Projects: PPP & Infrastructure

Global Guide 2026 : Canada


Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Projects: PPP & Infrastructure - Canada

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Blake, Cassels & Graydon is an impressive law firm with a deep bench and offices across Canada. The environmental law team provides clients with advice on a range of matters, including project development, compliance, chemical and waste regulation, and endangered species law. The group's strengths lie in both corporate matters and litigation at every level of court. It acts for clients, including companies from the mining, oil and gas, and power sectors. Further noted for its strength in Aboriginal law, the team often advises on negotiations with First Nations communities on behalf of energy industry participants.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon advised Three Hills Solar Power on environmental and regulatory issues surrounding the 18 MW Three Hills Solar Project, including the application to the Alberta Utilities Commission.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Blakes is distinguished by the quality of its strategic advice and the extent to which it advocates for us as its client.

    Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • The team is extremely business-friendly and good to work with as a client.

    Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • The firm has always been able to respond effectively to all of my needs.

    Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Blakes knows their substance and also understands the business side of things.

    Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Blakes is excellent and one of the best firms you can go to. You are always going to have quality and timely product delivered. They are so responsive, very consistent and reliable.

    Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Charles Kazaz
    Band 1Charles Kazaz

    Charles Kazaz

    Montréal-based Charles Kazaz enjoys an excellent reputation for his work representing companies in a wide range of contentious and non-contentious environmental issues, including contamination claims, remediation and renewable energy advisory work.

    • He can consistently be relied on for excellent customer service and responsiveness. He is extremely knowledgeable and experienced and takes a practical and business-oriented approach in his work.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Charles possesses very strong business acumen. His capacity to quickly assess a situation and to strategically counsel his client is phenomenal.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Charles has a good relationship with regulators as well as a good understanding of regional market norms.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Charles has such a depth of understanding, not just the law, but how our business runs. He provides high-level, strategic advice.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Charles is knowledgeable, accurate and supportive.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 1Jonathan W. Kahn
    Band 1Jonathan W. Kahn

    Jonathan W. Kahn

    Pre-eminent environmental lawyer Jonathan Kahn advises on a broad spectrum of matters in the environmental space, including cross-border acquisitions and prosecutions and class actions relating to issues such as land contamination. He is based in Toronto.

    • Jonathan has excellent judgment. He is also very responsive and always gets back to us very promptly.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Jonathan is very knowledgeable and helps us digest complicated topics and explain them to our business partners.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Mr. Kahn is very knowledgeable and understands our business very well. His significant experience allows him to take on difficult tasks and formulate a good strategy.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 1Lars H Olthafer
    Band 1Lars H Olthafer

    Lars H Olthafer

    Lars Olthafer represents clients before energy regulators, demonstrating particular strength in land law matters arising from pipeline and project development. Utilising his background in engineering, the Calgary-based lawyer ably advises on a wide range of regulatory mandates arising from the oil and gas sector, including environmental compliance and First Nations consultation.
  • Band 1Marianne Smith
    Band 1Marianne Smith

    Marianne Smith

    Marianne Smith assists a range of provincial and municipal authorities with the procurement aspects of public infrastructure projects. Operating out of the firm's Toronto office, she is experienced across a range of sectors including civil infrastructure, transportation and healthcare.

    • Marianne has a huge knowledge base, particularly in procurement law and really good commercial sense and drafting skills. She can strike a balance between the best legal and practical solution.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Marianne is very strong. She is really knowledgeable across all assets, has a good depth of knowledge and grasp on issues and is a really strong advocate for us.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • She has an exceptional knowledge base.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 1Sam Adkins
    Band 1Sam Adkins

    Sam Adkins

    Vancouver-based Sam Adkins acts on environmental assessments and has experience advising on the Aboriginal law aspects of major projects, including those in the energy and natural resources sector.

    • Sam navigated incredibly complex Indigenous partnerships and provided critical commercial guidance that led to all parties leaving the table with a better deal for everyone.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Sam Adkins is a top-notch service provider, specialising in Aboriginal relationships. He is a leader in the country,

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Sam is very knowledgeable and experienced in current and upcoming trends in regarding Indigenous legal matters. He is very responsive and an absolute team player, especially in negotiation.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Sam is always responsive and provides strategic advice. His understanding of how our business operates is clear and he navigates seamlessly through the complexities and nuances of our business.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Sam is professional, approachable, and very easy to work with. He takes the time to ensure that you understand the situation and the options available.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 2Duff Harper
    Band 2Duff Harper

    Duff Harper

    Calgary-based Duff Harper has expertise in site redevelopments and the transportation of hazardous goods. He is also experienced in assisting with environmental litigation, as well as carbon offset projects and the environmental considerations of commercial agreements.

    • Duff is very responsive. He sends very thorough summaries and gives very helpful advice.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 2Katie Slipp
    Band 2Katie Slipp

    Katie Slipp

    Based out of Calgary, Katie Slipp has a growing reputation for her counsel on regulatory proceedings and compliance matters in the oil and gas space.
    • Katie is a pleasure to work with. She is very adaptable to changing circumstances and is able to keep the business objectives in mind throughout the process.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Katie is excellent.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • She has a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and great client service that is both proactive and responsive.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Keith Byblow
    Band 4Keith Byblow

    Keith Byblow

    Calgary-based oil and gas lawyer Keith Byblow advises on domestic and international mandates, including acquisitions, strategic partnerships and joint ventures.
    • Keith is an excellent technical lawyer and pairs this strength with commercial awareness to drive practical and effective solutions.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Keith is one of those deep thinkers who has the ability to deconstruct complex issues really quickly.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Keith is a fantastic lawyer and his knowledge and industry experience are very beneficial.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 2Roy Millen
    Band 2Roy Millen

    Roy Millen

    Roy Millen is a well-regarded Aboriginal law practitioner, who co-leads Blakes' Aboriginal law group. He frequently advises significant natural resource and energy clients. Based in Vancouver, he provides experience in the negotiation and execution of agreements with Aboriginal groups.

    • Roy is extremely responsive and very knowledgeable on Indigenous relations and regulatory knowledge.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Roy has all the qualities of a knowledgeable, respectful and fair lawyer.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • I love Roy's delivery more than anything. He is anti-panic. He just slides in with the perfect argument and all of his arguments are very carefully crafted and incisive.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Roy is a very strong lawyer, with a practical mindset.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Roy is a highly valued member of our team. He is calm, confident and provides exceptional advice to us.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 2Sébastien Vilder
    Band 2Sébastien Vilder

    Sébastien Vilder

    Montréal partner Sébastien Vilder frequently acts as lenders' counsel in relation to power projects, showing particular expertise covering wind farm developments.

    • Sébastien is an exceptional lawyer, whose deep expertise in project finance, particularly within the renewable energy sector, has been invaluable to our organisation.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Sébastien is super knowledgeable in the industry. He is always available and very pragmatic.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 2Tony Crossman
    Band 2Tony Crossman

    Tony Crossman

    Tony Crossman advises on a wide range of environmental regulatory issues, representing clients in the energy, fishing and mining sectors out of the firm's Vancouver office. He has further experience assisting with the environmental considerations of commercial and corporate transactions.

    • Tony has strong experience and gives practical and proactive advice. He is very good at explaining concepts in understandable terms.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Tony is creative, thoughtful and experienced.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • I find Tony to be highly technical and thorough in his analysis of matters. He provides good strategic advice and is practical.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 2Vivek Bakshi
    Band 2Vivek Bakshi

    Vivek Bakshi

    Toronto-based Vivek Bakshi is highly regarded for his advise on project financing, M&A and joint ventures in the renewables and natural resources sectors. He is additionally sought out for his counsel on power purchase agreements.

    • Vivek lends confidence and assuredness to deals.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Vivek provides tremendous support in all commercial aspects and brings the support of the broader firm to support client's needs.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Vivek is a fantastic adviser and negotiator. He's able to drive complex negotiations quickly and efficiently while maintaining good relationships.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Alain Massicotte
    Band 3Alain Massicotte

    Alain Massicotte

    Alain Massicotte leads the firm's Montréal infrastructure group, frequently acting for public authorities, sponsors and lenders on a range of project developments.

    • Alain has excellent vision.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Chris Harris
    Band 3Chris Harris

    Chris Harris

    Calgary-based Chris Harris operates a growing corporate practice in the oil and gas sector, acting on a wide array of M&A, as well as financing and joint ventures.
    • Chris is super dedicated, hard-working and super timely.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • He knows our business in a way that allows him to advise on a range of implications.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • He is excellent, practical and has great technical skills.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Lana Finney
    Band 3Lana Finney

    Lana Finney

    Lana Finney handles a range of environmental matters for private entities, particularly contaminated land claims and advisory work. She is based in Toronto.

    • Lana is very good at taking complicated matters and sussing out what we really need to know in the case.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Lana provides truly exceptional service. She provides accurate advice and has a high degree of flexibility.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Lana is a delight to work with and I am always comfortable with the advice given. She also responds to our concerns promptly.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • She spends the time to understand the issue and is able to recommend very practical solutions. Lana brings creative, out-of-the-box ideas that are valued and appreciated.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Christine Milliken
    Band 4Christine Milliken

    Christine Milliken

    Christine Milliken has a wide-ranging transactional practice which sees her advising on M&A, joint ventures, insolvency and commercial work on behalf of corporate clients in the oil and gas sector.
    • She has excellent level of service and her advice is provided on a consistent basis.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • She's extremely strong all around, with great negotiation skills.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Christine has strong client service skills and understanding of the business and critical legal issues.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Ky Kvisle
    Band 4Ky Kvisle

    Ky Kvisle

    Ky Kvisle has a focus on commercial transactions and project development relating primarily to natural resources and industrial infrastructure. He has experience working on international and domestic matters in the energy, electricity and renewables sectors.

  • Band 4Scott Clarke
    Band 4Scott Clarke

    Scott Clarke

    Scott Clarke of Blake, Cassels & Graydon advises on mergers and acquisitions, renewable power projects and corporate finance. He is based in Calgary.

    • His client service is second to none. He's always willing to help.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
  • Band 5Alyssa Shivji
    Band 5Alyssa Shivji

    Alyssa Shivji

    Alyssa Shivji is establishing a respected infrastructure practice from the firm's office in Toronto. She assists clients with the development of infrastructure projects and procurement contracts.

    • Alyssa is a highly competent and hard-working counsel with great insight and sensitivity to our business.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Alyssa is fantastic and has really incredible attention to detail in drafting.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal
    • Alyssa is really good at working with the team collaboratively and taking instructions. She is available, incredibly responsive and a really good drafter.

      Projects: PPP & Infrastructure respondentGlobal

Ranked Individuals at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (20)

Canada

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