Department profile
Lawson Lundell LLP

General Business Law

Canada Guide 2026 : Northern Canada and Arctic

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Lawson Lundell LLP

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About

Provided by Lawson Lundell LLP

We understand the challenges and opportunities that operating in the North presents. The region’s vast geography, seasonal constraints, significant impact of settled and unsettled land claims, and important intersections with government bodies and agencies make the northern territories a unique climate in which to do business. Our full service northern legal team has the knowledge and the deep commitment necessary to help our clients achieve success in the North.

The northern regulatory landscape is complex. Settled and pending land claim agreements of Inuit, Métis and other Aboriginal groups must be respected and understood. These factors together with the heightened importance of logistical planning mean proponents and government agencies require timely, cost effective and practical legal advice. We bring our local knowledge as well as the full resources of our firm to support clients’ business needs and major project development in northern Canada.

Our broad northern experience includes matters involving:

  • Project development, land tenure, environmental regulation and Aboriginal law and related economic development issues including benefit agreements and litigation
  • Government relations and legislative review
  • Securities and financing
  • Labour and employment
  • Pensions and employee benefits
  • Tax (personal and business tax, including property tax)

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

General Business Law - Northern Canada and Arctic

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Lawson Lundell is a Vancouver-headquartered law firm with a well-established Yellowknife presence. The practice is noted for the depth of its experience across the Northwest Territories, the Yukon and Nunavut, acting for a number of long-term clients from both the private and public sectors. Such clients include mining companies, Aboriginal organisations, regulatory agencies and government bodies. The team possesses deep expertise in administrative and constitutional law, as well as labour and employment and project development North of 60. The firm advises on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters and related litigation and arbitration, and provides ongoing regulatory guidance in relation to high-profile mining projects throughout the Arctic.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Lawson Lundell LLP represented Northview Residential REIT in judicial reviews and appeals of decisions from the Residential Tenancy Office, among other matters.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Lawson Lundell's experience and long history in the North, and their specific expertise in public and administrative law, sets them apart.

    General Business Law respondentCanada

  • The team at Lawson Lundell is very commercially aware and pragmatic, and remains so throughout the engagement.

    General Business Law respondentCanada

  • Lawson has a team of lawyers who are all extremely competent, efficient and friendly. The team is very responsive and easy to deal with.

    General Business Law respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Christine Kowbel
    Christine Kowbel

    Christine Kowbel

    Christine Kowbel has a strong focus on environmental regulations, often advising mining companies on environmental impact assessments. She services her clients from the Vancouver office.

    • Christine has extensive Nunavut regulatory experience. She is incredibly knowledgeable.

      General Business Law respondentCanada

    • Christine Kowbel is an experienced lawyer in regulatory matters.

      General Business Law respondentCanada
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  • Sandra MacKenzie
    Sandra MacKenzie

    Sandra MacKenzie

    Sandra MacKenzie frequently advises both corporate and public sector clients on a range of contentious matters, such as workplace investigations and construction arbitration. She additionally assists with non-contentious employment issues, including Inuit employment matters.

    • Sandra is direct, quick to respond and offers practical advice.

      General Business Law respondentCanada

    • Sandra is a reliable and expert lawyer.

      General Business Law respondentCanada

    • Sandra MacKenzie is an expert of the North.

      General Business Law respondentCanada
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  • Toby Kruger
    Toby Kruger

    Toby Kruger

    Toby Kruger has a broad practice covering contentious and non-contentious real estate matters, governance issues and regulatory changes and defamation claims. He is frequently mandated on behalf of public bodies.

    • Toby Kruger's experience in the territory stands out, he's very good.

      General Business Law respondentCanada

    • Toby is pragmatic and realistic about outcomes.

      General Business Law respondentCanada

    • Toby has developed a strong expertise in public and parliamentary law.

      General Business Law respondentCanada

    • Toby Kruger's arguments are precise, on point and he keeps an eye on the economics of what he is doing and trying to achieve.

      General Business Law respondentCanada
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  • Tim Syer
    Tim Syer

    Tim Syer

    Based in Yellowknife, Tim Syer operates a broad corporate and commercial practice, frequently advising on corporate governance matters, financing transactions and real estate issues.

    • Tim really understands the business environment in the North.

      General Business Law respondentCanada

    • Tim Syer is a pragmatic lawyer with good leadership skills and is knowledgeable in the commercial dealings and economics of the North.

      General Business Law respondentCanada

    • Tim is always thinking about the bigger picture, looking at questions with the mind that other things can come into play further down the road.

      General Business Law respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Lawson Lundell LLP (4)

Northern Canada and Arctic

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Provided by Lawson Lundell LLP

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