About

Provided by Torys LLP

With deep cross-border experience and recognized skill across disciplines, we work with clients involved in all aspects of infrastructure, energy and natural resources and these sectors’ respective lifecycles.

We are sought after for our experience in multi-party, transformational projects and transactions, including first-of-kind structuring approaches. We are also seasoned advisors in complex regulatory matters and issues. Clients benefit from the broad market awareness of our North American platform—offering integrated advice on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border.
We are also active on projects across Canada that impact and involve Indigenous peoples and communities. We have advised sponsors (including Indigenous sponsors), consortiums, governments, lenders and contractors on complex and innovative projects. Our clients include both Indigenous and non-Indigenous entities, who benefit from our experience on all sides of project development

We have deep experience in securing major environmental approvals for large, complex projects. We work seamlessly with our clients on bespoke strategies designed to both prioritize efficient application processing by regulatory authorities and minimize long-term litigation risks. We support clients in navigating the matrix of federal, provincial and territorial permitting frameworks, and we defend permits before administrative tribunals and the courts.








Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Energy: Oil & Gas - Canada

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Torys offers advice on the environmental aspects of a wide range of transactions and projects, including high-profile and multi-jurisdictional mergers, financings and redevelopments. It is additionally well equipped to handle regulatory approvals and permitting issues. The environmental law team represents major Canadian and multinational clients spanning numerous industry sectors including oil and gas, chemicals, renewable energy, mining, nuclear, consumer and media. The law firm is additionally known for its expertise in climate change law and emissions trading.

Work Highlights

Provided by Torys LLP

  • Torys advised Canadian National Railway on the federal approval process for its Milton Logistics Hub and subsequent legal proceedings, including judicial reviews and appeals.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Frank Iacobucci
S
Frank Iacobucci
S
Senior Statespeople

Former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada Frank Iacobucci is an esteemed senior figure in the market. He is based in Toronto and has a wealth of experience advising the government on Indigenous matters wherein he often acts as a mediator, including major energy projects and modern treaty issues.

Frank is an excellent mediator and a pleasure to deal with.

Charles Keizer
1
Charles Keizer
1
Band 1
Based in the firm's Toronto office, Charles Keizer maintains his reputation as a leading regulatory practitioner in the power space. He regularly represents generators, marketers and distributors before the Ontario Energy Board, with further recognition for his counsel on project development and financing matters.

Charles has an unparalleled expertise in regulatory matters in Ontario. He is an excellent communicator who has a ton of credibility and provides thoughtful advice. We value his counsel.

Charles is able to solve complex problems and communicate the solution simply. He can draw on a depth of experience to provide a perspective that takes into consideration business realities.

Dennis E Mahony
1
Dennis E Mahony
1
Band 1

Dennis Mahony is an esteemed lawyer who handles the full spectrum of issues in the environmental space, including environmental approvals for major energy and transportation projects and permitting matters, as well as associated litigation. He is based in Toronto.

Dennis Mahony is by far the best of the environmental lawyers in Canada with whom I have worked.

He sees the big picture, as well as the risks and opportunities often missed by others, and maps out an integrated strategy for his clients’ success.

He is benignly artful in building support and advancing clients' interests. And, just as importantly, he is a pleasure to work with - good-humoured, affable, considerate and conscientious.

Dennis Mahony is doing an excellent job of coaching and mentoring his team in client service and provides excellent strategic and client-focused advice.

He is very knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.

Mark WS Bain
1
Mark WS Bain
1
Band 1

Based in Toronto, Mark Bain has a wealth of experience in the representation of public authority interests, and is frequently sought after for assistance in the development of power, road, rail and social infrastructure projects.

Luigi Cusano
2
Luigi Cusano
2
Band 2
Managing partner of the firm's Calgary office Luigi Cusano represents an impressive range of power companies and utilities before the Alberta Utilities Commission.
Michael Fortier
2
Michael Fortier
2
Band 2

Toronto-based Michael Fortier is well versed in environmental issues relating to major energy and mining projects, with additional experience in transactional matters, regulatory approvals and contamination cases.

Michael Fortier is a highly sophisticated lawyer with a comprehensive understanding of environmental regulation in Canada. His advice is always extremely well considered and detail-oriented.

Michael Fortier is able to digest complex issues and explain a way through many challenges.

Scott A Kraag
2
Scott A Kraag
2
Band 2

Scott Kraag acts predominantly across the energy, PPP, social infrastructure and mining spaces in the provision of project finance counsel out of the firm's Toronto office.

Scott Kraag is very good - very knowledgeable and very commercial. He bridges gaps between opposing sides, evaluates important issues and is able to handle large projects involving lots of parties.

Tyson Dyck
2
Tyson Dyck
2
Band 2

Tyson Dyck acts out of the law firm's Toronto office and has a strong reputation for his work in the energy and mining industries, notably in relation to regulatory approvals and permitting requirements. He possesses further expertise encompassing carbon finance and climate-related matters.

I breathe easier knowing that I can reach out to Tyson Dyck when faced with complex, challenging matters.

Tyson Dyck is extremely knowledgeable, experienced, effective and responsive, no matter how complex the issue and how tight the timeline may be.

He maintains a keen awareness of ongoing environmental law developments across not just Canadian but international jurisdictions.

Tyson Dyck is one of the most responsive lawyers I've worked with. He can deliver under pressure and to tight timelines over and over again, all while keeping the team apprised along the process.

I am very satisfied with Tyson Dyck's quality of service, reliability and high degree of responsiveness.

Valerie Helbronner
2
Valerie Helbronner
2
Band 2
Valerie Helbronner attracts plaudits for her skilled handling of energy project financing matters on behalf of power project developers, and she is further noted for her experience in relation to Aboriginal law and the renewables space.

Valerie is just fantastic, able to lead and manage difficult and challenging situations. She is tactful and sensitive, keeping us on track.

David Cuschieri
3
David Cuschieri
3
Band 3
David Cuschieri is called upon to utilise his corporate and commercial transactional experience on infrastructure projects in the oil and gas industry. He is based in Calgary.

We received excellent service and advice on sophisticated transactions.

Josh Van Deurzen
3
Josh Van Deurzen
3
Band 3

Josh Van Deurzen is often instructed by project proponents, lenders and public authorities engaged in PPP transactions, further assisting with mandates across the wider infrastructure space out of the firm's Toronto office.

Josh has built relationships with lenders, lenders' counsel and associated parties that allow him to resolve complex issues and create innovative solutions on each project.

Josh is good - very intelligent and a hard worker.

Josh Van Deurzen is an effective service provider with a view to practical solutions and clear and actionable advice.

3
Milosz Zemanek
3
Band 3

Toronto-based Milosz Zemanek focuses on project financing in energy and infrastructure. He serves as the head of Torys' energy storage practice.

Milosz Zemanek is very good - very smart, very careful and thorough. He is good at deal managing.

4
Huw Evans
4
Band 4
Huw Evans frequently supports clients in the energy and infrastructure sectors with M&A transactions, joint ventures, project financings and wider commercial issues. He is particularly active in renewable power project and PPP asset matters.

Huw is incredibly valuable, provides great client service, is thoughtful and knowledgeable.

Huw Evans is a very experienced and aware lawyer with excellent attention to the client's needs.

John A Terry
4
John A Terry
4
Band 4

Toronto-based John Terry is adept at acting for natural resources and energy sector clients, as well as government entities, on arbitrations, mediations and other contentious matters involving Indigenous groups. He also advises on negotiations with Aboriginal groups relating to the development of projects.

He has extensive experience in Aboriginal dispute resolution matters.

John provides practical and business-oriented solutions.

4
Jonathan Myers
4
Band 4
Jonathan Myers frequently advises on the regulatory aspects of large transactions in the power space, including assisting with applications to the Ontario Energy Board.

Jonathan gives very strong advice and always responds quickly. His advice considers a range of complex inputs and reflects a deep understanding of the industry and our organisation.

Jonathan is responsive, writes well and provides excellent support to our organisation.

4
Peter Danner
4
Band 4
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.

I'm very happy with the level of service that we receive from Peter Danner. He is very knowledgeable and responsive. I find him to be efficient and resourceful.

Peter is very bright, practical and responsive. He's a real resource and a crutch for me; he's very calm and poised.

Peter is an exceptional practitioner and thinker; he understands the legal and business dynamics.

Tara Mackay
4
Tara Mackay
4
Band 4

Tara Mackay is noted for her expertise in sophisticated infrastructure projects, including public-private partnerships. She splits her time between the firm's New York and Toronto offices.

Tara is an exceptional lawyer who is capable across a wide variety of structures and jurisdictions, and who regularly delivers timely insights to support our pursuits.

Tara Mackay is very intelligent, very calm and collected, and solutions-driven.

Across all engagements, Tara demonstrates a level of knowledge, experience and calmness that builds trust with clients, and her approach delivers exceptional results for us.

Ranked Lawyers at
Torys LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Canada

Aboriginal Law

Frank Iacobucci
S
Frank Iacobucci
S
Senior Statespeople
Valerie Helbronner
3
Valerie Helbronner
3
Band 3
John A Terry
4
John A Terry
4
Band 4
Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional)

Chris Christopher
1
Chris Christopher
1
Band 1
David Cuschieri
3
David Cuschieri
3
Band 3
4
Peter Danner
4
Band 4
Energy: Power (Regulatory)

Charles Keizer
1
Charles Keizer
1
Band 1
Luigi Cusano
2
Luigi Cusano
2
Band 2
4
Jonathan Myers
4
Band 4
Energy: Power (Transactional)

Krista F Hill
1
Krista F Hill
1
Band 1
Valerie Helbronner
2
Valerie Helbronner
2
Band 2
4
Huw Evans
4
Band 4
Environment

Dennis E Mahony
1
Dennis E Mahony
1
Band 1
Michael Fortier
2
Michael Fortier
2
Band 2
Tyson Dyck
2
Tyson Dyck
2
Band 2
Project Finance

Scott A Kraag
2
Scott A Kraag
2
Band 2
3
Milosz Zemanek
3
Band 3
Projects: PPP & Infrastructure

Mark WS Bain
1
Mark WS Bain
1
Band 1
Josh Van Deurzen
3
Josh Van Deurzen
3
Band 3
Tara Mackay
4
Tara Mackay
4
Band 4