Best Lawyers in Canada

Best Lawyers® offers a comprehensive directory of leading legal professionals across Canada. Whether you're a client in need of legal assistance or a lawyer seeking to connect with top talent, this resource helps you find the best legal expertise in the country.

Select a location or practice area from the list below to find the best legal talent for your needs.

Province

Practice Areas

Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice Administrative and Public Law Advertising and Marketing Law Alternative Dispute Resolution Appellate Practice Asset-Based Lending Practice Aviation Law Banking and Finance Law Bet-the-Company Litigation Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice Biotechnology Law Cannabis Law Charities / Non-Profit Law Class Action Litigation Commercial Leasing Law Communications Law Competition / Antitrust Law Construction Law Corporate and Commercial Litigation Corporate Governance Practice Corporate Law Criminal Defence Defamation and Media Law Derivatives Law Director and Officer Liability Practice Education Law Electronic Discovery and Information Management Law Employee Benefits Law Energy Law Energy Regulatory Law Entertainment Law Environmental Law Equipment Finance Law Expropriation Law Family Law Family Law Arbitration Family Law Mediation FinTech Practice Franchise Law Gaming Law Health Care Law Immigration Law Information Technology Law Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law Insurance Law Intellectual Property Law International Arbitration International Trade and Finance Law Labour and Employment Law Legal Malpractice Law Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law Maritime Law Medical Negligence Mergers and Acquisitions Law Mining Law Municipal Law Mutual Funds Law Natural Resources Law Oil and Gas Law Personal Injury Litigation Privacy and Data Security Law Private Funds Law Product Liability Law Professional Malpractice Law Project Finance Law Public Finance Law Public Procurement Law Railroad Law Real Estate Law Securities Law Sports Law Structured Finance Law Tax Law Technology Law Transportation Law Trusts and Estates Venture Capital Law Workers' Compensation Law

About the 2026 Edition

The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada celebrates two decades of dedicated research into identifying the foremost legal professionals across the country. The vibrancy of the Canadian legal market is evident in its dynamic growth, diverse practice areas and the continuous emergence of innovative legal solutions.

Our mission – unchanged since we began researching the legal community in 1981 – aims to highlight the most distinguished lawyers across the country. This year, the top 6% of practicing lawyers in Canada are awarded across 77 practice areas.

The Best Lawyers in Canada is committed to identifying and celebrating the finest legal professionals through a comprehensive peer-review process. This ensures that the lawyers recognized are among the most skilled and respected in the field. In a market where the stakes are high, clients need to know they are entrusting their critical legal matters to top-tier professionals.

This edition serves as an essential guide for both clients and legal professionals, showcasing not only outstanding legal talent, but also the evolving trends in the industry, with a focus on integrity, expertise and commitment to excellence.

Highlights


Participation Highlights
"This is a great platform to recognize legal professionals and corporations that work endlessly in challenging environments for the best of the people and the justice system."
-Maeve Duggan, President, Skyline QS Consultants Ltd

Research Methodology

The Best Lawyers research process relies on confidential evaluations conducted by top legal professionals, who review the skills and expertise of their peers within the same region and practice areas.

These evaluations are carefully scrutinized and nominees are subject to a comprehensive vetting process to confirm they meet the highest criteria of legal proficiency and ethical standards. This rigorous method guarantees that the lawyers selected are authentically acknowledged for their outstanding contributions by their fellow professionals.

Canada 2026 Statistics
Statistics from the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada
"Relying on such prestigious recognitions ensures that individuals can choose a law firm with a proven track record of success and a reputation for high-quality service."
-Nadia Ciancotti, President, Re/max Action

Note From Research

As we unveil the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada, we continue our mission to recognize and celebrate the nation's most exceptional legal professionals. This year's edition reflects our unwavering commitment to rigorous, peer-driven evaluation—ensuring that every lawyer named has earned their place through the respect and recognition of their peers.

The 2026 awards mark another milestone in engagement, with voting participation reaching a new high—up 14% from last year’s record-breaking numbers. This remarkable growth underscores the trust the Canadian legal community places in our process and the influence these accolades hold in distinguishing true excellence in practice.

For clients, Best Lawyers remains a trusted benchmark—offering confidence in selecting legal counsel of the highest caliber. For the profession, it is both a mark of honor and a reflection of the community's collective voice in recognizing outstanding talent across the country.

We are proud to present the 2026 edition, a definitive guide to Canada’s top legal talent and an enduring resource for those seeking the very best in legal representation.

Headshot of Elizabeth Petit
Elizabeth Petit
Vice President of Research & Development

Turn Your Recognition into New Cases

Your inclusion in The Best Lawyers in Canada positions you among the nation's most respected attorneys. By activating your profile in our online directory, you increase your visibility in search results and make it easier for prospective clients and referring lawyers to reach you.

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Latest Insights

"I think the Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms awards is a great way to recognize talent in the Canadian legal landscape."
-Helen Kearns, Partner, Bell Kearns & Associates, Ltd.

Upcoming Research

Nominations are now open for the upcoming edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada. You can find more information about our research timeline online. If you need help with the nomination process, please reach out to us at nominations@bestlawyers.com.

Headshot of Kimberly Welsh
Kimberly Welsh
Research Analyst Manager