Best Lawyers in Canada for Administrative and Public Law

Kevin Westell is a founding partner at Pender Litigation. In addition to his criminal and regulatory defence work, he is often retained to act as Crown Counsel, counsel for witnesses in criminal proceedings and as amicus curiae (counsel for the Court). He has represented clients across Canada facing all levels of seriousness and at all levels of court in British Columbia. Mr. Westell was elected a Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC) Bencher for Vancouver County on November 16, 2020 and beg...

Rebecca Robb is counsel at Hunter Litigation Chambers. She has a wide-ranging litigation practice, including commercial and corporate law, administrative and regulatory law and criminal law. She has appeared as counsel before all levels of Courts of British Columbia, the Federal Court of Appeal and various administrative tribunals, including the Law Society of BC Tribunal, the Forest Appeals Commission and the BC Farm Industry Review Board. Rebecca has been recognized as a “Rising Star&...

Philip Abbink, Hons BA, MA, JD, practices in the areas of professional regulation and labour law, primarily providing advocacy for health care professionals in grievance arbitrations and at professional Colleges. He also represents employees in investigations, quasi-criminal regulatory proceedings and at Coroners' Inquests. Philip is also the Co-managing Partner at Cavalluzzo. After earning a JD and a MA in International Relations from the University of Toronto, Phil articled at Cavalluzzo. D...

Martin Palleson practices in the areas of general commercial litigation, with an emphasis on insolvency and restructuring disputes. Martin also has significant experience in franchise, construction, and insurance litigation as well as environmental/natural resource law, and aboriginal law. Martin has appeared frequently at all levels of British Columbia and Federal Courts. Martin also has experience in alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration. Called to the British ...

Marc James Tacheji is a litigation lawyer and partner in our Montréal office. His practice focuses on both commercial and real estate litigation, as well as applications for judicial review of government and administrative decisions. He assists businesses, contractors, developers and companies in matters directly affecting the continuity of their operations, market access or the completion of key projects. His clients rely on his practical judgment, strategic vision and ability to over...

Krista Nerland is a partner at OKT. Her practice focuses on litigation related to Aboriginal rights, Aboriginal title, and treaty rights; human rights and discrimination; and advancing Indigenous jurisdiction. Krista has particular expertise in appellate litigation and has appeared at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Krista holds a J.D. with honours from the University of Toronto, where she received awards for academic excellence and highest standing in constitution...

Jeff Langlois, a partner at JFK Law LLP, is based in Vancouver but represents First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across Canada, with a particular emphasis on Western and Northern Canada. He maintains a varied practice – advocating for his clients in the courts, before regulatory tribunals and at negotiation tables – and supporting his clients in advancing their decision-making authority, the protection of land and resources and the meaningful implementation of histo...

Amy Block is a Partner in the Regulatory Practice Group at WeirFoulds LLP whose practice is focused on professional self-regulation, administrative and public law, and civil litigation. Prior to joining WeirFoulds, Amy was Senior Legal Counsel and Appeal & Review Lead for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. In this role, Amy built considerable experience over the course of 15 years litigating a wide variety of matters including conducting complex hearings involving allegati...

Charles Wagner is a leading lawyer with extensive experience in labour and employment litigation. His extensive knowledge of legal proceedings makes him particularly effective in representing employers before civil and administrative tribunals, particularly in actions for dismissal without cause or regarding a prohibited practice. He is regularly involved in matters involving injunctions and safeguard orders, which are often complex, multi-jurisdictional or involve media coverage. He uses a s...

Christopher Wirth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Labour and Employment Law. Christopher, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard is a natural storyteller and his many stories have elicited much laughter from both clients and colleagues. He is a mighty and strategic litigator who leaves nothing to chance. Richard joined Monette Barakett in 1980. He is a long-standing partner and was a member of the executive committee for over 25 years. He served as managing partner from 2012 to 2017.Richard specializes in labour and employment law in the public, parapublic and private sectors. For more than thirty years, he has...

Mark Polley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defence. Mark, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Quesnel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice and Product Liability Law. David, who practices law in Montréal, Quebec, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nick Hooge is a Partner in Farris’ litigation group. He has a general litigation practice and has appeared in all levels of courts in British Columbia, as well as in the Federal Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Nick has experience in a wide range of complex civil and commercial matters including contract disputes, product liability claims, real property litigation, corporate and securities law, administrative law, competitioner & antitrus...

Emily Lawrence is a top lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Employee Benefits Law, Health Care Law and Labour and Employment Law. Emily Lawrence is the Managing Partner of Paliare Roland and maintains a busy litigation and advisory practice. Emily is trusted advisor and advocate for regulatory bodies, pension boards, employers, and partnerships, with substantial expertise in professional regulation, p...

Ryan Phillips is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Corporate and Commercial Litigation. Ryan, who practices law in Calgary, Alberta, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ryan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.