Best Lawyers in Canada for Administrative and Public Law

Sébastien Laprise has cutting-edge expertise in the law applicable to public contracts. A strategic advisor, author and speaker in this area, he counsels and represents a number of public and para-public entities subject to the Act Respecting Contracting by Public Bodies as well as several municipalities and municipal bodies. His innovative approach helps his clients improve their contracting practices and better manage the upstream risks inherent in awarding contracts. Eager to share ...

Rob Lonergan is a recognized environmental law lawyer practicing in Fasken’s Vancouver office. Environmental assessment and environmental, energy and transportation regulation and litigation are Rob’s specialties. He also has experience in Indigenous litigation. He acts principally for energy companies, public utilities and resource oil and gas companies, marine terminal operators, commercial carriers (rail, truck and marine), and mining companies.

Nicola Simmons is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law. Nicola, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicola is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Karen Hamway is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law and Professional Malpractice Law. Karen, who practices law in Ottawa, Ontario, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Karen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Shauna practices administrative law in the areas of professional and regulatory compliance, municipal taxation and assessment, environment, and municipal law. She also practices in the area of bankruptcy and insolvency law. Shauna regularly acts for regulatory bodies, private entities, non-profit entities and public bodies. Her clients benefit from her 20 years of diverse experience. This depth of experience is complemented by a thorough and practical approach. Shauna works to understand the ...

Mercedes is a lawyer and founding partner of PBP Lawyers. She has extensive litigation experience, having represented clients before a range of administrative tribunals and at all levels of court in Ontario, Federal Court and the Supreme Court of Canada. Her practice is diverse and includes mental health and capacity law, elder law, Charter litigation, civil actions, coroners’ inquests, guardianship proceedings, disability and accommodation disputes, and victim representation in crimina...

Tara Piurko has over 20 years of experience in planning and development, real property assessment and taxation, and municipal law matters. She regularly provides strategic advice, counsel and support to property owners, including public and private developers, on development approvals and land entitlement matters and real property assessment and taxation matters. She is an expert negotiator and has extensive experience securing development approvals, including settling official plan amendment...

Greg Richards is a skilled and experienced courtroom lawyer. For more than 37 years, Greg has successfully litigated a wide variety of cases, some of which have been precedent-setting. His practice has engaged corporate and commercial matters, complex contracts, tort claims, government liability, and a range of other issues. Greg has appeared before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as several administrative tribunals. He has been counsel in arbitrations and ...

Chris G. Paliare is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Class Action Litigation, Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Labour and Employment Law. Chris G., who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chris G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geograp...

Justine Mageau is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice, Administrative and Public Law, Construction Law and Labour and Employment Law. Justine, who practices law in Edmonton, Alberta, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Justine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lindsay (she/her) is a partner at Moore Edgar Lyster LLP where she practices human rights, labour, administrative, constitutional and professional regulatory law. She acts for public and private sector unions, professional regulators and individuals on a wide variety of matters. Lindsay has extensive experience appearing in judicial reviews and appeals involving complex human rights, administrative law and freedom of expression issues. She has appeared as counsel at all levels of court, inclu...

Vicky Berthiaume is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law. Vicky, who practices law in Montréal, Quebec, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Vicky is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeff Langlois practices civil litigation and Aboriginal law in JFK’s Vancouver office, focusing on constitutional litigation, Crown consultation and environmental law. In his Aboriginal law practice, Jeff strives to support his clients’ efforts to protect and advance their Aboriginal and Treaty rights and expand First Nations’ self-determination over their lands and waters. Jeff advances his clients’ interests in a broad range of contexts, including through the courts,...

Jules Brière has been in private practice in Quebec City since 1976. He has acquired a strong reputation in constitutional law, administrative law, health law and the law governing public lands (production, transmission and distribution of hydro-electricity; forestry and land management). Mr. Brière has on many occasions advised governments, various ministries and public and parapublic agencies on the legal aspects of resource management and development in the public domain, the...

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...