Best Lawyers in Canada for Administrative and Public Law

Ian Mondrow is a partner in Gowling WLG's Toronto office practising in the area of energy regulation and policy as a member of the Energy Sector Group. Ian has been working in energy for more than 30 years, much of that in the private practice of law, but including four years in a senior management and policy role as vice-president, Government & Regulatory Affairs, at a large integrated competitive energy services company where he engaged heavily in matters of market design and energy pol...

Gordon is a partner in the firm’s Saskatoon office. His practice focuses on all aspects of labour & employment law, arbitration law and adjudication. He regularly represents clients before the Labour Relations Board, arbitration boards and the courts. Prior to joining the firm, Gordon held senior executive corporate roles and senior adjudicative positions. Gordon supports companies and organizations by providing practical advice on labour and employment matters. He advises on collec...

Toby advises public and private sector clients on litigation and regulatory matters across western Canada and the North, including all three Territories. Based in Yellowknife, his practice spans a broad range of legal issues, including environmental, energy, mining, land, construction, receivership, and Aboriginal and Indigenous law. He has appeared before administrative tribunals, superior and appellate courts, and has acted as counsel in three matters before the Supreme Court of Canada. Tob...

Amanda is an experienced senior litigator. She acts in complex multi-party commercial and class action litigation, and works with clients and lawyers from other jurisdictions in multi-jurisdictional cases. She defends professionals in licensing-related complaints. She has argued at all levels of courts in Saskatchewan and the Supreme Court of Canada, and arbitral and administrative tribunals. Amanda is a well-recognized senior litigator in Saskatchewan. She was inducted as a Fellow in the Ame...

Robert McDonell is a Vancouver-based litigator with Farris LLP whose practice focuses on Administrative and Public Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, and Product Liability Law. He represents clients before the British Columbia Supreme Court, the British Columbia Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Supreme Court of Canada in a wide range of civil and regulatory matters involving governments, public bodies, and businesses across multiple industries. Robert advises and r...

James Goulden is a senior member of our litigation group. His practice is focused on trial and arbitration work in commercial and administrative disputes. James is also a member of our special situations team that deals with public company disputes, such as proxy fights and takeover bids. Mr. Goulden has appeared before all levels of court in British Columbia, as well as the Federal Court and various administrative tribunals. He has acted as counsel in a broad range of commercial cases involv...

Alysha Shore is a top lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law and Labour and Employment Law. Alysha is a practical, solution driven litigator with a wide range of advocacy skills. As a trusted advisor to her clients, Alysha understands that interpersonal dynamics play a significant (but often neglected) role in resolving legal disputes. Her practice spans civil and commercial litigation, a...

Jean-René is a curious, dynamic and versatile lawyer. In all situations, Jean-René knows how to offer concrete solutions to support managers. At Monette Barakett, Jean-René practices in the field of occupational health and safety – attendance management, as well as in labour law, civil litigation and health and social services law. In terms of occupational health and safety, he advises employers on a daily basis in the management of their OHS files, and he regularly...

Maggie Wente (BA, LLB, MSW) is a partner at Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP. She is a member of Serpent River First Nation and was born and raised in Toronto. Recently Maggie focuses much of her practice on advocating for equality for Indigenous children and individuals in child welfare systems and the exercise of inherent jurisdiction over child well-being. She does this in litigation and in negotiation about child welfare funding, program delivery and First Nations law-making. Maggie also advis...

Alyssa Tomkins is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice, Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Director and Officer Liability Practice. Alyssa practices law in Ottawa, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Alyssa Tomkins since 2022. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Alyss...

As the senior partner in his firm, Paul is a leading constitutional, labour and administrative law lawyer, arguing significant cases before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Courts of Ontario, and labour and administrative tribunals. Paul was appointed by Associate Chief Justice Dennis O'Connor to act as lead commission counsel to the Commission of Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Maher Arar. Previously, Paul acted as lead commission counsel in the Walkerton Inquir...

François Dandonneau is a partner in the firm’s Montréal office. His practice has been centred on Aboriginal law for over fifteen years with a specific focus on matters dealing with mining and natural resources, procurement, taxation and self-governance. Throughout his career, François has acted and played a major role in important litigation matters, notably constitutional cases, before all levels of the courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. François...

Lara is a Partner with Harper Grey practising in the areas of professional regulation and health law. She is the Assistant Chair of our Professional Regulation Group. She has acted as counsel for physicians, dentists, psychologists, and many other regulated health professionals. Lara articled with Harper Grey and joined the firm upon her Call to the Bar in 1996. She was in-house counsel with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia for two years from 2009 to 2011, before rej...

Jessica Orkin has a broad litigation practice including criminal, civil and administrative law matters, with an emphasis on constitutional, human rights, Aboriginal rights and access to information law matters. Jessica appears at all levels of court, including the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada. She is also a frequent speaker at legal conferences and seminars. Jessica received her law degree from the University of Toronto. She also holds an M.Phil. degree in Devel...

Nancy Hopkins is a highly experienced business lawyer with emphasis in mergers and acquisitions, complex contracts and corporate governance. Her M&A experience includes transactions with public companies, private equity firms and strategic buyers. She has served on boards of public, Crown, membership and charitable corporations. Nancy has served as a director of a number of corporations, most recently chairing the board of Arthritis Society Canada and serving on the board of the Canada We...

Geoff Cowper is a leading litigator with a national reputation and has been counsel in dozens of leading cases in a wide range of areas, including commercial litigation, class actions, constitutional law, and administrative law. Geoff’s experience includes conducting trials in several jurisdictions, ranging from summary trials to cases requiring over 200 days of hearing. He has appeared in over 150 appeals, including numerous appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada, and has repre...