Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Environment - Canada
What the Team is Known For
DLA Piper is a national firm that has expertise across the environmental law space. Its team acts for a varied client base, including corporates and provincial agencies. The firm is noted for its particular strength in Indigenous issues related to major projects. Clients benefit from the firm's exposure to a number of environmental assessment mandates.
Strengths
The team's client-centric approach and communication skills are central to its ability to form part of the inner team and to be an integral voice in addressing multiple complex matters head-on.
The people are fantastic, incredibly intelligent and provide good legal services.
DLA Piper has deep competency in the technical regulatory framework with adequate bench strength to deploy resources as required.
Work Highlights
DLA Piper (Canada) defended BASF in multiple proposed class actions filed against defendants alleged to have manufactured, imported, marketed or sold products containing PFAS chemicals in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Québec.
Notable practitioners
Toronto-based Ian Bendell is chair of the firm's infrastructure and projects group. He offers a wealth of experience representing authorities, project companies and financiers across a range of international jurisdictions.
Ian is fantastic to work with. We value his technical expertise and sophisticated strategic advice, which is a rare combination to have.
He is fantastic and understands transactions from all angles.
Ian Bendell is very detail-oriented and strategic. He is a good communicator and collaborative.
Ian cares a lot about customer satisfaction and is really focused on providing customers with best service he can. He is really committed to the success of the project, you can feel this as a client.
Ian is a seasoned lawyer with great market knowledge, providing valued support.
Operating between the firm's Vancouver and Toronto offices, Andrew Burton frequently represents clients from the infrastructure, finance and construction spaces across all aspects of PPP development, and is often instructed on cross-border matters including project bids and development.
Elizabeth Mayer advises public authorities, bidders and contractors on matters throughout the PPP process including procurement and risk profiling. She is based in Vancouver.
Elizabeth is phenomenal. She is a very creative thinker, works well with our clients and is good at developing talent as well.
Elizabeth is very supportive. She provides the best project advice and has amazing foundational knowledge.
We can't get enough of Elizabeth Mayer! She is so good, we wish we could have her level of expertise, professionalism and service on all our projects.
She is efficient, experienced and effective.
Calgary-based Heather Treacy KC of DLA Piper represents clients in the energy and rail sectors in contentious and non-contentious matters relating to Aboriginal law.
Max Collett has broad environmental expertise and frequently advises clients on a wide range of regulatory compliance and contentious matters, including contamination and permitting issues.
Vancouver-based Wally Braul is well regarded for his broad range of both contentious and non-contentious environmental work. He is particularly adept at advising on contaminated sites, remediation and environmental assessments, as well as subsequent disputes.
Wally's insight and expertise really stand out. He is an artist and has the precision of a technician, but can also work with various interests to get to a rational resolution.
Joshua Jantzi co-chairs the firm's regulatory and environmental law group and splits his time between Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto. He is well regarded for his environmental law practice, including advising on compliance, remediation and issues before the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board.
Josh is a great lawyer. I can't say enough good things about him.
He takes the time to understand the client's needs and objectives.