Transportation: Rail & Road | Canada

McMillan's well-established rail and road transportation team operates primarily out of the firm's Vancouver office. Its lawyers are regularly engaged by major rail shippers, short-line railways and terminals, as well as national and international trucking companies. The department provides a broad spectrum of services spanning economic and commercial regulation, corporate and transactional counsel and litigation support, as well as assistance in related areas such as real estate and tax.

Dentons is a large international firm with a well-regarded surface transportation practice in Canada and extensive experience acting for rail and road clients. The team regularly represents major rail providers and shippers as well as local authorities in contentious and non-contentious matters. It offers knowledge in a range of regulatory matters, such as rail operating agreements and distribution arrangements. Clients benefit from its expertise in related areas such as infrastructure.

McCarthy Tétrault operates a multidisciplinary transportation and logistics team that wins acclaim for the level of its experience in surface transportation. Sought out by major companies operating in the rail, bus, trucking and taxi sectors, it provides effective counsel on regulatory and safety compliance, financings, acquisitions, infrastructure projects and litigation matters. The firm has notable experience acting for Canada's leading transportation organisations and provincial authorities. Its prominent client roster includes national and international shipping companies, and rail and bus service companies. Its key lawyers in this area are based in Montréal and Québec City.

Miller Thomson LLP is highlighted for its expertise across a wide range of transportation matters affecting clients in the road and rail sectors. The team regularly manages large transactions, rate cases and regulatory compliance matters for transportation and logistics companies.

Borden Ladner Gervais is a national law firm with a first-class cross-sector transportation team advising clients on the full spectrum of maritime law, including ship construction, finance, purchases and sales, terminal operations, insolvency proceedings, cargo claim defence, charter party disputes, and environmental matters such as fuel oil spills. It offers coverage across Canada, with its offices in Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver playing key roles in the shipping arena, and its Team North initiative offering advice on shipping in the Arctic. The firm also operates a well-regarded aviation practice, with particular experience in aerospace disputes and claims. It possesses an especially strong reputation in cases involving fatal aircraft accidents and aerospace product liability concerns. Additionally, its rail practice has been growing in recognition, as the team regularly assists clients with regulatory matters and rail accident-related litigation.

Fasken operates a well-regarded transportation team with national presence, acting predominantly on behalf of railway companies and particularly noted for its representation of Canadian Pacific Railway. The firm provides advice on the full gamut of rail transportation matters, including commercial transactions, litigation, insurance and taxation advice, as well as environmental and labour and employment issues. It is adept advising on class actions arising in the transportation space, and also offers notable expertise in infrastructure and public-private partnership developments as well as real estate matters.

MLT Aikins is a Western Canadian law firm with a strong rail and road transportation practice. The team frequently represents carriers and government agencies in a wide range of rail matters, including M&A, commercial contracts and regulatory and safety compliance. It also represents leading railways in dispute resolution before regulatory agencies and before federal and provincial courts. The group has notable experience with licensing and registration, bills of lading and cargo claims on the trucking side.