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: Power - Canada

1
Band 1

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

  • Torys were retained by VIA HFR to help secure all the required approvals, including under the Federal Impact Assessment regime, in connection with the Toronto-Québec City rapid train network project.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Frank Iacobucci
S
Frank Iacobucci
S
Senior Statespeople

As a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, Frank Iacobucci is a highly esteemed senior figure in the market. He is based in Torys' Toronto office 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 a stellar lawyer and person.

Frank is a highly respected lawyer and former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. We have benefitted from his advice and expertise on matters during our consultation processes.

Frank is a real legend and he's down to earth.

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 provides clear, practical advice that reflect technical requirements, considerations, or limitations in a pragmatic way that resonate with the regulator.

Charles's services are always well balanced between practice and theory. He is very adept at translating the regulatory context to our unique circumstances.

Chris Christopher
1
Chris Christopher
1
Band 1
Based in Calgary, Chris Christopher is noted for his activity in project development and M&A arising from the oil and gas space. His expertise includes acting on both domestic and offshore energy projects, with additional experience in related transportation and construction matters.

He's just phenomenal. Chris is very practical, bright and commercially savvy.

Chris does an amazing job and is extremely skilled in his area. He's a top commercial lawyer in the energy field in Calgary and Canada.

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 provides exceptional service with strong technical skills and practical awareness.

We have no need to go anywhere else - Dennis puts everything on autopilot for us.

Dennis is, by far, the best environmental lawyer with whom I have had the privilege to work with. He looks beyond the narrow question of a specific legal point to see the big picture.

Dennis is very proactive and forthcoming. He provides very sound advice.

Krista F Hill
1
Krista F Hill
1
Band 1
Toronto-based Krista Hill co-chairs the firm's infrastructure and energy group. She commands an impressive reputation in the space and is lauded for her representation of significant energy clients across a wide range of transactional mandates, including M&A and project development.

We count on Krista for her legal and commercial insights, knowledge and invaluable support on so many matters, and she always delivers.

Her leadership, vision, experience and sophistication are by far the best in the industry. Her insights, drive and service have enabled the commercial success of a number of our initiatives.

She provides exceptional service, she knows our business exceptionally well. She is the one that picks up the phone and gets the right people together.

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.

Mark is one of the top lawyers in the infrastructure field, with incredibly deep experience, who is always able to provide relevant and on-point advice

Scott A Kraag
1
Scott A Kraag
1
Band 1

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 one of the best project finance lawyers in Canada.

Scott is great for projects.

David Cuschieri
2
David Cuschieri
2
Band 2

David Cuschieri is called upon to utilise his corporate and commercial transactional experience, advising on infrastructure projects and for major clients in the oil and gas industry in high value sale of companies and assets. He is based in Calgary.

I really enjoyed working with David.

He always goes above and beyond and communicates extremely well. He has a great ability to distil complicated situations into logical actions.

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 is terrific. He is responsive, pragmatic and helpful.

Michael is a strong, big-picture thinker and has an incredible depth of knowledge.

Michael is tremendously thorough and really thinks about things that are before him.

Michael has a superior command and understanding of the legal landscape. He has a strong vision as to how to navigate my organisation's risk.

Michael is a wonderful legal professional. You ask him a very complex question and he has a way of providing an answer in a simple manner that can be explained to anybody.

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.

Tyson is really great at helping us navigate complex technical issues in environmental law. He is extremely "in the know" and breaks things down in a compelling and precise, but strategic way.

He is very smart, knowledgeable and practical.

He has a wealth of knowledge and strong connections that aid business development.

Tyson is excellent to work with. He provides strong communication and legal arguments.

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 based in Toronto.

Valerie has a lot of experience in indigenous law and can support clients with her knowledge of the law as well as her experience of how to make projects successful.

Val consistently provides a high degree of service.

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 is a great all round lawyer.

It is a pleasure working with Josh.

Josh is responsive, knowledgeable and always available to assist.

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 understands the market and helps us land in a good spot.

Milosz is a trusted adviser for many reasons.

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 has business and legal sense, and he's also a deep academic thinker. He has a really unique combination. You know he has thought of everything and that you are in good hands with him.

Huw is very commercial.

Huw is a tremendous asset for his clients when entering into complex partnership or acquisition discussions.

John A Terry
4
John A Terry
4
Band 4

Toronto-based John Terry of Torys 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.

I am incredibly impressed with how John is handling a very contentious litigation file for us. His calm, professional approach is fantastic.

John is very strategic and provides very high-value advice.

John is a very experienced litigator. I have a lot of respect for him.

John has an incredibly calming presence and a firm hand on the wheel. He gives a strong sense that everything is moving in the right position.

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 brings a breadth of experience and knowledge to the table and is very proficient in understanding and advising on extremely technical issues

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.
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.

I can't say enough good things about Tara. I trust her implicitly.

Tara is terrific. She is a strong player, smart and well respected.

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
2
David Cuschieri
2
Band 2
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
1
Scott A Kraag
1
Band 1
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