Aboriginal Law

Dentons is an international law firm that wins widespread recognition for its accomplished energy regulatory practice in Canada, with notable experience of oil sands development, greenfield pipeline and midstream facilities projects. It also has a strong commercial offering, advising on domestic and cross-border energy M&A, asset swap and restructuring transactions, as well as project finance. It has additional strength in oil and gas transportation projects, as well as providing advice to companies from the energy, forestry, transportation, mining and real estate sectors on a wide range of issues relating to Aboriginal project development. It also ably assists clients with a range of environmental concerns.

Michael Hurst is acclaimed for his wealth of experience advising multinational oil and gas clients on transactional matters out of the firm's Calgary office.

Calgary-based Bernard Roth represents significant oil and gas clients before federal and provincial energy regulators in a wide array of mandates, including oil sands development and service agreements. "Bernie is excellent. He's very responsive and experienced, he is like an encyclopedia."

Calgary-based Alex MacWilliam represents clients, including municipalities and notable real estate developers, in relation to their environmental obligations. He offers further expertise in guiding clients through emergency response and any subsequent disputes. "Alex has very strong experience and does a lot of work with administrative tribunals. I have a lot of respect for him."

Based in the firm's Calgary office, George Antonopoulos handles a wide array of M&A, asset sales and project developments in the oil and gas sector.

Laura Estep frequently appears before the Canada Energy Regulator and Alberta Utilities Commission, advising oil and gas clients on facilities applications and disputes. She is based out of Calgary. "She is very detail-oriented and has great expertise in this area."

Toronto-based Vivek Bakshi advises 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 is a responsive and thoughtful lawyer. He is really good on the negotiating front, making sure points are pushed forward but having a friendly approach to things."

Hazel Saffery has a wide-ranging transactional practice which sees her advising clients on a broad spectrum of A&D work, commercial matters and project development issues. "Hazel is professional, pleasant to work with, and is able to keep tasks and issues driving forward."

Ilan Dunsky acts as co-chair of Dentons' infrastructure and PPP group from his base in Montréal. He acts for clients across North and South America on a range of infrastructure projects, and is particularly visible in the areas of rail and transportation. "Ilan has an exceptional ability to understand and identify the ripple effects of discrete decisions across highly complex projects." "Ilan is highly proficient in his field and recognised as such in the industry." "The breadth of his experience on Canadian and international P3 transactions allows him to provide useful insight and strategic advice as we are navigating through novel, complex issues."

Mira Gauvin is a well-recognised lawyer based in the firm's Montréal office. She frequently represents firms in the infrastructure and natural resources space, assisting with environmental assessments and permitting, as well as Aboriginal rights. "Mira is key to our project - she has both supported on the legal aspects and has gained the trust of our teams, which is key in the execution."