Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Projects: PPP & Infrastructure - Canada

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

  • 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

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Charles Kazaz
1
Charles Kazaz
1
Band 1

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.

Charles possesses very strong business acumen. His capacity to quickly assess a situation and to strategically counsel his client is phenomenal.

Charles has a good relationship with regulators as well as a good understanding of regional market norms.

Charles has such a depth of understanding, not just the law, but how our business runs. He provides high-level, strategic advice.

Charles is knowledgeable, accurate and supportive.

Jonathan W. Kahn
1
Jonathan W. Kahn
1
Band 1

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.

Jonathan is very knowledgeable and helps us digest complicated topics and explain them to our business partners.

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.

Lars H Olthafer
1
Lars H Olthafer
1
Band 1
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.
Marianne Smith
1
Marianne Smith
1
Band 1

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.

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.

She has an exceptional knowledge base.

Sam Adkins
1
Sam Adkins
1
Band 1

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.

Sam Adkins is a top-notch service provider, specialising in Aboriginal relationships. He is a leader in the country,

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.

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.

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.

Terri-Lee Oleniuk
1
Terri-Lee Oleniuk
1
Band 1

Terri-Lee Oleniuk is typically sought out for her regulatory expertise. Her environmental practice is complemented by her knowledge of energy regulation and Aboriginal law, particularly in relation to solar projects. She is based in Calgary.

Terri-Lee is very experienced and knowledgeable on the regulatory framework in Alberta, which is constantly evolving. She has great contacts with the regulators and creative ideas to resolve issues.

Terri-Lee is great. She is very client service-oriented, super smart and practical when it comes to environmental and regulatory law.

Duff Harper
2
Duff Harper
2
Band 2

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.

Katie Slipp
2
Katie Slipp
2
Band 2
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.

Katie is excellent.

She has a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and great client service that is both proactive and responsive.

Keith Byblow
2
Keith Byblow
2
Band 2
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.

Keith is one of those deep thinkers who has the ability to deconstruct complex issues really quickly.

Keith is a fantastic lawyer and his knowledge and industry experience are very beneficial.

Roy Millen
2
Roy Millen
2
Band 2

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.

Roy has all the qualities of a knowledgeable, respectful and fair lawyer.

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.

Roy is a very strong lawyer, with a practical mindset.

Roy is a highly valued member of our team. He is calm, confident and provides exceptional advice to us.

Sébastien Vilder
2
Sébastien Vilder
2
Band 2

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.

Sébastien is super knowledgeable in the industry. He is always available and very pragmatic.

Tony Crossman
2
Tony Crossman
2
Band 2

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.

Tony is creative, thoughtful and experienced.

I find Tony to be highly technical and thorough in his analysis of matters. He provides good strategic advice and is practical.

2
Vivek Bakshi
2
Band 2

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.

Vivek provides tremendous support in all commercial aspects and brings the support of the broader firm to support client's needs.

Vivek is a fantastic adviser and negotiator. He's able to drive complex negotiations quickly and efficiently while maintaining good relationships.

Alain Massicotte
3
Alain Massicotte
3
Band 3

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.

Chris Harris
3
Chris Harris
3
Band 3
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.

He knows our business in a way that allows him to advise on a range of implications.

He is excellent, practical and has great technical skills.

Lana Finney
3
Lana Finney
3
Band 3

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.

Lana provides truly exceptional service. She provides accurate advice and has a high degree of flexibility.

Lana is a delight to work with and I am always comfortable with the advice given. She also responds to our concerns promptly.

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.

Mark Johnson
3
Mark Johnson
3
Band 3

Toronto-based Mark Johnson has built an impressive reputation in the energy space, with considerable expertise in advising clients on renewable energy development projects.

Mark is a top national expert in the field.

Mark is very experienced, very knowledgeable and practical.

Christine Milliken
4
Christine Milliken
4
Band 4
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.

She's extremely strong all around, with great negotiation skills.

Christine has strong client service skills and understanding of the business and critical legal issues.

Ky Kvisle
4
Ky Kvisle
4
Band 4

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.

Scott Clarke
4
Scott Clarke
4
Band 4

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.

Alyssa Shivji
5
Alyssa Shivji
5
Band 5

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.

Alyssa is fantastic and has really incredible attention to detail in drafting.

Alyssa is really good at working with the team collaboratively and taking instructions. She is available, incredibly responsive and a really good drafter.

Ranked Lawyers at
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Canada

Aboriginal Law

Sam Adkins
1
Sam Adkins
1
Band 1
Roy Millen
2
Roy Millen
2
Band 2
Terri-Lee Oleniuk
4
Terri-Lee Oleniuk
4
Band 4
Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory)

Lars H Olthafer
1
Lars H Olthafer
1
Band 1
Terri-Lee Oleniuk
1
Terri-Lee Oleniuk
1
Band 1
Katie Slipp
2
Katie Slipp
2
Band 2
Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional)

Keith Byblow
2
Keith Byblow
2
Band 2
Chris Harris
3
Chris Harris
3
Band 3
Christine Milliken
4
Christine Milliken
4
Band 4
Energy: Power (Regulatory)

Terri-Lee Oleniuk
2
Terri-Lee Oleniuk
2
Band 2
Energy: Power (Transactional)

2
Vivek Bakshi
2
Band 2
Keith Byblow
4
Keith Byblow
4
Band 4
Ky Kvisle
4
Ky Kvisle
4
Band 4
Mark Johnson
4
Mark Johnson
4
Band 4
Scott Clarke
4
Scott Clarke
4
Band 4
Environment

Charles Kazaz
1
Charles Kazaz
1
Band 1
Jonathan W. Kahn
1
Jonathan W. Kahn
1
Band 1
Duff Harper
2
Duff Harper
2
Band 2
Tony Crossman
2
Tony Crossman
2
Band 2
Lana Finney
3
Lana Finney
3
Band 3
20 of 26 results