Department profile

Energy: Power

Global Guide 2026 : Canada

McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Energy: Power - Canada

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

McCarthy Tétrault is a full-service law firm that assists companies from a range of different sectors, including oil and gas, forestry and energy. The environmental, regulatory and Aboriginal law group's expertise includes advising on the environmental assessments of major projects, climate change and environmental litigation. The practice also has notable experience handling the environmental aspects of M&A transactions, with further strength in land contamination disputes, hazardous waste issues and carbon trading. The law firm is a popular choice among prominent Canadian and international companies, as well as governmental entities.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

McCarthy Tétrault advised Silver Lake, as Canadian counsel, in Vantage Data Centers' USD6.4 billion equity investment led by investment vehicles managed by DigitalBridge Group and Silver Lake.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

McCarthy Tétrault is an excellent firm with excellent quality lawyers. Their advice is thoughtful and they are able to provide strategic advice.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
McCarthy Tétrault provides an excellent level of service and on-demand legal advice, with thoughtful responses to complex questions.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
The team is cohesive and works well together. Their ability to play to each other's strengths and demonstrate teamwork, both among themselves and with our business team, is impressive.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
McCarthy Tétrault clearly explains the issues, the law and the risks in layman's terms and then guides you through the process.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
The team goes above and beyond in terms of responsiveness.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Senior Statespeople
Senior Statespeople
David Lever
David Lever enjoys a distinguished reputation for his skilled work on M&A and project development in the power space. Based in Toronto, he represents major clients in the market in project financing and construction mandates.
He is one of a kind! David is a true strategic partner.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
David is the total package.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 2
Band 2
Linda G Brown
Operating out of the firm's Vancouver office, Linda Brown continues to be synonymous with the Canadian infrastructure project finance space, frequently representing proponents and lenders in navigating the bidding, procurement and financing processes related to infrastructure projects.
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Band 1
Band 1
Stephen Furlan
Based in Toronto, Stephen Furlan leverages a wealth of experience in the representation of lenders and borrowers engaged in project financing operations, offering particular expertise in relation to power and infrastructure projects.
He is extremely strong.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
I like that Stephen is a big picture viewer, not just from legal perspective, but commercial perspective. He takes a high level view on transactions and tries to advance projects.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Steve is one of the preeminent project finance lawyers in Canada.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Stephen has strong depth and commercial awareness.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Stephen is so sought after and practical.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 4
Band 4
Terri-Lee Oleniuk
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.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Terri-Lee is great. She is very client service-oriented, super smart and practical when it comes to environmental and regulatory law.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 2
Band 2
Brian Bidyk
Calgary-based Brian Bidyk represents both upstream and midstream oil and gas clients in M&A and project development.
Brian has a depth of experience and commercial vision that set him apart from all other oil and gas lawyers we have worked with. His level of service is excellent.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 2
Band 2
Bryn Gray KC
Bryn Gray co-leads McCarthy Tétrault's Aboriginal law group from the Toronto office and advises clients from a range of sectors including energy and natural resources, handling consultation and disputes with Aboriginal groups.
Bryn is excellent to work with. He always makes sure to send me updates in the case law or policy developments to ensure I stay on top of developments in Indigenous law.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Bryn has unique depth and experience in Aboriginal law, who is also focused on ensuring the client is fully engaged throughout the process.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Bryn has a very practical approach, recognising balancing between our legal rights and the social licence and practical realities of the situation.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Bryn is an excellent lawyer. He provides exceptional client service, has a deep expertise in the subject matter and provides responsive solutions to legal issues.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Bryn has a real skill in being able to consider the 'big picture', as well as being well-versed in the detail of a file. He responds to queries in a timely manner and always makes himself available.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 2
Band 2
Morgan Troke
Vancouver-based Morgan Troke acts for lenders, borrowers and proponents on both project finance and project development mandates.
It is always a pleasure working with Morgan.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Morgan has been exceptional in his approach to client service and awareness of trends and realities of my sector.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 2
Band 2
Nicholas Hughes
Based in Vancouver, Nicholas Hughes is an experienced environmental litigator with particular expertise in handling matters at the intersection of transportation and environmental law, as well as in judicial reviews relating to biodiversity.
Nicholas is an excellent lawyer. He is extremely timely and responsive.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Nicholas is an excellent strategist.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 2
Band 2
Samantha Cunliffe
Based in Vancouver, Samantha Cunliffe advises both lenders and consortiums across the transportation, healthcare and energy spaces.
She is reasonable, technically efficient and a pleasure to work with.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Samantha is an excellent projects lawyer.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 3
Band 3
Joseph Palin
Joseph Palin is a Calgary-based partner in the financial services group. He regularly advises both lenders and borrowers on matters involving complex financing structures.
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Band 3
Band 3
Liezl Behm
Liezl Behm acts on a broad array of financing transactions in the energy and infrastructure spaces from the firm's office in Toronto, acting for both borrowers and lenders.
Liezl is excellent. She is highly knowledgeable, sophisticated and has a deep understanding of commercial matters.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Liezl is very motivated and a go-getter.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
It is always a pleasure working with Liezl.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 3
Band 3
Lynn Parsons
Lynn Parsons is a highly adept project finance lawyer based out of the firm's Toronto office. She advises a number of high-profile lenders on the financing of energy, transport and infrastructure projects across Canada.
Lynn is fantastic.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Lynn is excellent. She is highly knowledgeable and has a deep understanding of transactions.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 3
Band 3
Mark Johnson
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.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Mark is very experienced, very knowledgeable and practical.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 3
Band 3
Seán C O'Neill
Seán O'Neill is noted for his diligent handling of transactional and project financing mandates within the power space, with experience acting for renewables, nuclear and gas clients. He chairs the firm's power group from the Toronto office.
Seán knows the market well and is creative in his advice.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Sean has been invaluable over the years in supporting our successes in Canada and understands our business and people to an exceptional extent.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 3
Band 3
Selina Lee-Andersen
Selina Lee-Andersen is well known for her work in the environmental regulatory compliance space, servicing clients out of the law firm's Vancouver office. Her practice also encompasses advising on the environmental aspects of projects and investments.
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Band 3
Band 3
Suzanne Murphy
Operating out of Toronto, Suzanne Murphy acts on the instruction of a variety of power companies including those operating in power storage and district energy. She frequently assists with transactional and commercial mandates such as energy service agreements and asset acquisitions.
Suzanne knows the power sector. She is an excellent corporate/commercial lawyer and knows the nuances of drafting.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 4
Band 4
Cindy Vaillancourt
Montréal-based Cindy Vaillancourt is frequently sought out by clients for her handling of operational environmental compliance matters, providing further expertise relating to land contamination issues and environmental permit approvals.
Cindy has a perfect combination of legislative knowledge and business-oriented approach that makes her a most valuable partner when dealing with very complex environmental issues.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Cindy is a highly competent and creative lawyer who is always available for her clients.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Cindy Vaillancourt is wonderful.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Her expertise is invaluable.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 4
Band 4
Jody Aldcorn
Jody Aldcorn draws upon her past experience as director of legal services at the Vancouver Airport Authority in the provision of advice relating to aviation projects.
Jody is a trusted adviser.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 4
Band 4
Kerri Howard
Kerri Howard is an experienced oil and gas lawyer who regularly handles acquisitions, joint ventures and financings. She is co-head of the firm's oil and gas practice and is based in Calgary.
Kerri provides a very high level of service.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Kerri is prompt, professional and practical.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 5
Band 5
Kimberly Howard
Calgary-based Kimberly Howard regularly represents energy companies in both contentious and advisory cases, often in relation to contamination claims. Her practice also encompasses permitting and compliance matters.
Kim and her team have provided a superior level of client service with sophisticated and commercially-oriented steer in novel areas of law and policy.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Kimberly is an amazing expert.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Kimberly cuts to the chase quickly, figures out the issue and what the impact will be on our business, legally and beyond. She helps navigate those in an exceptionally strong way.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 4
Band 4
Peter Danner
Peter Danner's oil and gas practice sees him handle an array of transactions in Western Canada. He has a particular focus in the midstream space.
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Band 4
Band 4
Una Radoja
Vancouver-based Una Radoja boasts a diverse environmental practice, regularly advising corporate clients on contentious and regulatory matters. She often assists with the approval of corporate transactions and projects undergoing environmental assessments.
Una is practical, thoughtful and client-oriented.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Ms. Radoja is extremely talented, efficient and has a solutions-oriented approach to providing advice.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 5
Band 5
Anca Neacsu
Based in the firm's Montréal office, Anca Neacsu has an established PPP and infrastructure practice. She works on projects across the country in a variety of sectors including healthcare, transport and energy.
Anca provides exceptional service and is a true pillar within McCarthy Tétrault's infrastructure department.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 5
Band 5
Brad Nicpon
Based in Toronto, Brad Nicpon is recognised for his experience advising public entities on healthcare and transport projects.
Brad has great knowledge of PPP projects and utilises the McCarthy Tétrault team to assist as required and ensures the best advice or service is being offered.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Brad provides great service.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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Band 5
Band 5
Tristan Musgrave
Tristan Musgrave is based in Toronto and serves as co-head of the firm's procurement group. He advises on a range of projects, including rail, hospitals and real estate.
Tristan provides great service.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Tristan is exceptional. He is smart, practical and shows a path through complexity.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Tristan has a deep knowledge of our projects and is exceptionally detail-oriented.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
Tristan is able to thoroughly answer any question I throw at him on a moment's notice.
Energy: Power respondentGlobal
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