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

1
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.

Work Highlights

  • 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

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Christine Kowbel
1
Christine Kowbel
1
Band 1
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.

Christine Kowbel is an experienced lawyer in regulatory matters.

Sandra MacKenzie
1
Sandra MacKenzie
1
Band 1
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.

Sandra is a reliable and expert lawyer.

Sandra MacKenzie is an expert of the North.

Toby Kruger
1
Toby Kruger
1
Band 1
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.

Toby is pragmatic and realistic about outcomes.

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

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.

Tim Syer
2
Tim Syer
2
Band 2
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.

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

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.

Ranked Lawyers at
Lawson Lundell LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Northern Canada and Arctic

General Business Law

Christine Kowbel
1
Christine Kowbel
1
Band 1
Sandra MacKenzie
1
Sandra MacKenzie
1
Band 1
Toby Kruger
1
Toby Kruger
1
Band 1
Tim Syer
2
Tim Syer
2
Band 2

Members

Provided by Lawson Lundell LLP

Chris Baldwin

Deborah Cushing

Jennifer Nyland

John Olynyk

Kai Niu

Keith Bergner

Khaled Abdel-Barr

Suzanne Woolley