Department profile
McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Environment

Canada Guide 2026 : Nationwide - Canada

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McCarthy Tétrault LLP

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About

Provided by McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Environmental expertise with compliance, protection and best practices

As one of the first law firms in Canada to practice environmental law, we have formidable expertise to navigate the complex provincial, territorial, federal and international laws, regulations and agreements affecting large and complex projects and transactions. This includes environmental assessment processes, contaminated sites, climate change and emissions trading, negotiations with interest groups, representation of our clients in public hearings and in environmental litigation, and training, audits, investigations and defense related to occupational health and safety.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Environment - Nationwide - 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.

    Environment respondentCanada

  • McCarthy Tétrault clearly explains the issues, the law and the risks in layman's terms and then guides you through the process.

    Environment respondentCanada

  • The team goes above and beyond in terms of responsiveness.

    Environment respondentCanada

  • McCarthy Tétrault provides an excellent level of service and on-demand legal advice, with thoughtful responses to complex questions.

    Environment respondentCanada

  • 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.

    Environment respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Nicholas Hughes
    Nicholas Hughes

    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.

      Environment respondentCanada

    • Nicholas is an excellent strategist.

      Environment respondentCanada
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  • Selina Lee-Andersen
    Selina Lee-Andersen

    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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  • Cindy Vaillancourt
    Cindy Vaillancourt

    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.

    • Her expertise is invaluable.

      Environment respondentCanada

    • Cindy is a highly competent and creative lawyer who is always available for her clients.

      Environment respondentCanada

    • Cindy Vaillancourt is wonderful.

      Environment respondentCanada

    • 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.

      Environment respondentCanada
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  • Terri-Lee Oleniuk
    Terri-Lee Oleniuk

    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.

      Environment respondentCanada

    • Terri-Lee is great. She is very client service-oriented, super smart and practical when it comes to environmental and regulatory law.

      Environment respondentCanada
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  • Una Radoja
    Una Radoja

    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.

    • Ms. Radoja is extremely talented, efficient and has a solutions-oriented approach to providing advice.

      Environment respondentCanada

    • Una is practical, thoughtful and client-oriented.

      Environment respondentCanada
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  • Kimberly Howard
    Kimberly Howard

    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.

      Environment respondentCanada

    • Kimberly is an amazing expert.

      Environment respondentCanada

    • 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.

      Environment respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at McCarthy Tétrault LLP (6)

Nationwide - Canada

Members

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