Best Lawyers in Canada for Administrative and Public Law

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...

Matthew (Matt) Ghikas, FCIArb is a leading energy and regulatory counsel who is also available to act as arbitrator or mediator in energy, natural resource and other commercial disputes. He has practiced law for over 25 years, primarily in British Columbia but also in proceedings across western Canada. He has been a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) since 2018, is a roster arbitrator for arbitral institutions and has acted as arbitrator in a variety of matters. Matt ha...

Mélissa Devost has extensive experience in environmental law. She provides legal and strategic advice on environmental matters concerning Quebec, federal and municipal legislation. She also advises clients on obtaining environmental permits and authorizations and verifies environmental compliance in their operations. Ms. Devost conducts a number of environmental due diligence reviews in order to assess the environmental risks and compliance in connection with mergers and acquisitions a...

Mark Polley is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Administrative and Public Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defence. Mark practices law in Toronto, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Mark Polley since 2021. 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 Mark Polley is held by other lawyers.

Éric Bédard is a Partner and Leader of Strategic Advisory Services at Fasken. He is a business strategist who provides trusted guidance to companies navigating reputational, regulatory and institutional challenges in Canada and internationally. His distinguished career at the firm includes a decade of leadership as Managing Partner for the Québec Region and as a member of Fasken’s Board of Directors and Global Management Committee (2011–2023), where he played ...

Kim is a partner in Fasken’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution department. Her practice focuses on complex business disputes, with a particular emphasis on post-closing purchase price adjustments, valuation disputes, shareholder disputes, and professional negligence claims involving auditors and other professional advisors. Kim regularly acts for private companies, investors, and professional service firms in high-stakes disputes arising from contractual arrangements and advisory relati...

Christine (Chris) Muir's practice encompasses complex commercial litigation and high-profile administrative matters. She's skilled in complex litigation, including contract disputes, and public and appellate law. She also has experience advising on and managing defamation matters. She represents clients ranging from large corporations and institutions to small business owners and professionals in sectors including health, finance, construction and education. She has appeared as counsel before...

Stephen is a member of the firm's litigation and labour groups, and is the co-chair of the civil group with responsibility over employment law, civil litigation, and class actions. He is bilingual and provides client service in both French and English. His practice focuses primarily on employment law, civil litigation, class actions, administrative law, and in assisting numerous unions, employees, and administrative agencies with litigation before courts, arbitrators, and numerous tribunals a...

William is a senior partner at Harper Grey, the chair of our professional regulation group and co-chair of our health law group. William represents clients in both civil and regulatory matters. His primary areas of practice include professional regulation and discipline, civil sexual assault litigation, civil and billing fraud, credentials proceedings, human rights and discrimination in a professional context, privacy, professional ethics, and fitness to practice. He acts both for professiona...

Ryan Phillips is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Administrative and Public Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Corporate and Commercial Litigation. Ryan practices law in Calgary, Alberta Best Lawyers has recognized Ryan Phillips 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 Ryan Phillips is held by other lawyers.

Jason Yamashita is an Associate with Farris LLP in Vancouver, British Columbia, practicing in the areas of administrative and public law and corporate and commercial litigation. Jason has been recognized by Best Lawyers for his work in administrative and public law and corporate and commercial litigation. He has been included based on peer-review feedback from lawyers practicing in similar areas of law and geographic regions. Based in Vancouver, Jason advises clients on complex litigation, re...

Stephanie Pearce is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Administrative and Public Law, Health Care Law and Public Procurement Law. Stephanie practices law in Ottawa, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Stephanie Pearce since 2025. 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 Stephanie Pearce is held by other lawyers.

Lara’s practice encompasses Indigenous laws and governance work, Aboriginal and Treaty rights litigation, and constitutional and public law litigation with a focus on equality rights and anti-discrimination law and policy matters. Lara works with First Nations on lands and resource issues and is passionate about advancing Indigenous land and water stewardship, including through Guardians and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) initiatives. Lara has a background in internation...

Kenneth Jull is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Administrative and Public Law. Kenneth practices law in Toronto, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Kenneth Jull since 2025. 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 Kenneth Jull is held by other lawyers.

Andrew Lokan practises in the areas of constitutional law, appellate advocacy, complex commercial litigation, and administrative and labour law. Andrew advocates before all levels of court in Ontario and has appeared in more than 35 cases at the Supreme Court of Canada and over 30 cases at the Ontario Court of Appeal. He has also appeared before courts in several other provinces on constitutional and administrative law cases. He is co-author of Lokan & Dassios, Constitutional Litigation i...

Justin Safayeni is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice and Defamation and Media Law. Justin practices law in Toronto, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Justin Safayeni since 2021. 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 Justin Safayeni is held by other lawyers.