Find Lawyers in Canada for Natural Resources Law
Practice Area Overview
Some lawyers who practice natural resources law focus on the laws governing who may develop natural resources and how, which requires knowledge of the applicable federal, provincial, territorial, and sometimes municipal laws governing use of a particular resource, from exploration, to development, production, sale, and ultimately to closure. Related practice areas include property law, environmental law, aboriginal law, public law, and administrative law.
Other lawyers in the field focus on the acquisition and maintenance of resource development rights in a private sector context. This may involve asset or share purchase transactions, financing, project structuring, and related areas. Such projects may change hands a number of times, and there are lawyers who can provide specific guidance based in part on the nature of the resource and the applicable regulatory and commercial context for that industry sector. Due diligence on such transactions usually requires subject-matter expertise from lawyers familiar with industry specific commercial norms and regulatory requirements. Other related practice areas include corporate law, commercial law, real property law, finance, taxation, contracts, and negotiation, to name a few.
The development of major natural resource projects has become increasingly controversial in Canada and accordingly some lawyers specialize in the regulatory or judicial processes involved in the development and review of the terms and conditions under which development will be permitted, if at all. Additionally, the interface between specific projects and the interests of First Nations has become increasingly prominent and some natural resource lawyers have become knowledgeable in that area as well.
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David practices primarily in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate and commercial and corporate finance and securities law. David has extensive experience focused on advising private and public company clients on transactional and corporate commercial matters, corporate reorganizations and restructurings, as well as corporate governance issues. He works with clients at all stages of development, from senior public companies to startups and entrepreneurs.
Chris advises on acquisitions and dispositions of mines and mining companies, project development and mine operations throughout Canada and the world. He has assisted in the structuring and negotiation of hundreds of transactions, including farm-ins and joint ventures, corporate acquisitions and mergers and royalty sales. He has extensive experience with all legal aspects of the development, construction and financing of mines (including diamonds, coal and uranium), royalties, marketing contr...
Dan Bennett's practice is focused in the areas of trial, arbitration, hearing and appeal work in commercial and administrative litigation. As a member of our litigation group, Mr. Bennett has conducted a broad range of cases in commercial, real estate, and natural resource matters in British Columbia, Alberta and Yukon superior courts and courts of appeal as well as the Federal Courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He also appears regularly before a number of administrative boards de...
Keith advises private sector, public sector and government clients on Aboriginal law and regulatory matters. He has appeared as counsel before numerous regulatory tribunals and all levels of Superior and Appellate Courts (both Federal and Provincial), including the Supreme Court of Canada. He has acted for clients in a number of natural resource industries including hydro-electric generation and transmission, oil and gas, mining, aquaculture, forestry, transportation and independent power pro...
Bruce Blain’s broad business practice has included advice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, and debt and equity financings, as well as partnership, joint venture and shareholder arrangements. Bruce has been involved in the purchase and sale of businesses across a wide range of industries, including steel making, manufacturing, high tech, financial services and consulting and professional services. His experience also includes public markets financing, reorganizatio...
Michael Bourassa’s practice is focused in the mining industry. A member of the Global Mining Group, he acted as the group’s co-ordinator from 2004-2012. A recognized expert, Michael has accumulated extensive experience on both Canadian and international mining projects. Providing advice on public financings, commercial mining agreements, and corporate social responsibility, and litigation support, Michael also has significant expertise in international mining due diligence issues ...
William Braithwaite is senior counsel at the firm and was Chair of the firm from 2012 to 2018. He previously served on the firm’s Partnership Board and Executive Committee, and is the former Head of the Corporate Group in the Toronto office. Bill practises primarily in mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. In addition to acting on some of the most significant cross border merger transactions, he has acted as counsel to major Canadian corporations, boards of directors, and inst...
René Branchaud, partner and chairman of the board of directors of the firm, practises in the fields of securities, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate law. With more than thirty years’ experience, he advises companies on matters such as incorporation and organization, the drafting of shareholder agreements, private placements, public issues, going public, dispositions, and takeovers. His services are in demand with European entrepreneurs and investors, primarily in France, wi...
Michael Burkett is a partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group whose practice focuses on advising public and private companies and private equity investors on complex domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisition transactions, divestitures, going private transactions as well as public company governance and compliance issues. In addition, Michael also assists domestic, U.S. and other international clients in connection with corporate finance, securities and general corporate commerc...
Pierre-Olivier Charlebois is a leading lawyer in the areas of environmental, mining, energy, climate change and corporate social responsibility law. Recognized by his peers across Canada and internationally due to his multidisciplinary expertise, Pierre-Olivier is the go-to legal reference. Pierre-Olivier is the leader of the Corporate Social Responsibility group. He also heads the Environmental, Energy and Climate Change group for the Quebec region. Pierre-Olivier advises clients on complian...
John Ciardullo is the Managing Partner of the Toronto office where he is responsible for overseeing management, strategic direction and client service. He is also a member of the Partnership Board, Executive Committee, Management Committee and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. He is the former Head of the Corporate Department and the Capital Markets and Public Mergers & Acquisitions Groups. John has expertise in a broad range of corporate transactions and has led some of Ca...
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...
Nancy Eastman’s practice is focused on securities, mergers and acquisitions and global mining. Working predominantly on mining issues, Nancy advises clients on royalty and stream financings, domestic and cross-border corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and regulatory compliance. Assisting clients with a variety of securities matters, Nancy has worked with both private and public companies on debt and equity financings, as well as on initial public offerings, reverse take-overs, ...
Fred Erickson is a partner in the Energy – Oil & Gas Group. His practice focuses on significant transactional and advisory engagements, and he has extensive involvement as lead counsel in major acquisitions and dispositions, restructuring projects, project developments, joint ventures, financings, asset monetizations, securitizations and other transactional matters. Fred has considerable experience in most aspects of the upstream oil and gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) industries,...
Ron Ezekiel is a leading Canadian energy and natural resources lawyer, and co-leader of Fasken’s Global Energy Group. Utilities, independent power producers, oil & gas companies and other resource industry clients seek out Ron for his depth of expertise and his creative and practical problem-solving skills. His industry knowledge, ability to navigate complex negotiations and broad business transaction background make him an ideal choice for counsel on projects and M&A transactio...
Johanna Fipke is a prominent mining lawyer and a core member of Fasken’s Global Mining Group. She regularly advises major and junior mining companies, as well as private equity firms and lenders that do business in the mining space. Johanna often takes on lead advisory roles in multi-million and billion-dollar international transactions and is a stand out in the industry for her diplomatic, creative and flexible approach. Clients appreciate Johanna’s commitment to giving sensible,...
Brian is a lawyer and a registered professional forester in the Vancouver office. With more than 35 years’ experience serving British Columbia’s forestry sector, Brian works in both the Coastal and Interior forest industries advising on all facets of major forestry legislation and the replacement of key forest tenures. Brian represents both large and small, publicly-traded and privately-held, Coast and Interior Forest Act tenure holders and their trade associations, forestry profe...
Erik Goldsilver is a partner in the Securities and Capital Markets Group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP with specific expertise in the mining, natural resources and energy sectors. He regularly acts for Canadian and international mining companies on acquisitions and dispositions of mines, mining projects and mining companies; project development; and mine operations in Canada and throughout the world. Erik also advises on the structuring and negotiation of option and joint venture agreements, s...
Brian Graves advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, commercial and securities law matters. With a particular focus on cross-border transactions, Brian works mainly in the mining and natural resource industries and, in particular, is considered an authority on metal streaming transactions. Brian regularly acts as lead counsel on M&A deals for Canadian and foreign clients, advising on hostile and friendly take-over bids, reverse take-overs, plans of arrangement, ass...
Ivan Grbesic is a partner and Co-Head of the Mining Group. He is also a member of the Capital Markets, Securities and Mergers & Acquisitions Groups. Ivan plays a leading role in the firm’s Latin American coverage group. Ivan’s practice focuses on corporate and securities law, with an emphasis on corporate finance transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate reorganizations. He regularly provides advice to issuers and underwriters in connection with initial public offe...
Blair Horn is a leading M&A and securities lawyer based in the Vancouver office. Blair works with both public and private companies on domestic and cross border M&A transactions, public equity and debt financings, venture capital and private equity financings, and corporate governance matters. Blair has advised a number of clients including technology companies, agribusiness, food and beverage companies, industrial and mining concerns, boards, independent committees of boards, underwr...
John Hurley is a partner in the firm’s Montréal office and leader of the Aboriginal Law Group. He has more than 30 years experience in commercial law, with special emphasis on First Nations, energy and infrastructure, environmental law, regulatory matters and international development. John has long worked with Aboriginal peoples in Québec, especially the Crees and the Inuit, on a wide variety of matters, including government relations, energy and natural resources, enviro...
Georald Ingborg is a Partner in our Securities and M&A Group in Vancouver. With expertise in domestic and international public and private financing (debt and equity), mergers and acquisitions and public company reporting and compliance, Georald’s services are highly coveted by issuers and financial institutions, primarily in the mining industry, as well as the technology, biotechnology and industrial sectors.
Édith Jacques is a partner in Montréal’s Business law group. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions, commercial law, as well as international law and acts as business and strategic consultant to mid- and large-size companies. Ms. Jacques regularly represents private companies in a wide range of transactions, including the acquisition and sale of businesses and the negotiation of distribution, supply, and manufacturing agreements for both the domestic and international...
Jay Kellerman is a partner and member of the Mergers & Acquisitions and Capital Markets Groups, and served as the Managing Partner of the firm’s Toronto office from 2012 to 2018. With more than 30 years of experience, Jay is widely recognized by market sources as a leading practitioner in his field. He is consistently sought out by senior management of companies, boards and investors for not only transactional assistance, but to advise on strategic direction and growth. Jay has earn...
Christine practices environmental and aboriginal law, providing advice in respect of major project development, environmental assessment, permitting, operational matters and acquisition and sale of industrial projects. She provides specialized mining industry advice, representing clients with respect to permitting and regulatory aspects of exploration, development, operation and closure of mining projects. Her other clients include energy, forestry and other natural resource sector companies,...
Environmental law is dynamic and as an experienced environmental and regulatory lawyer, Ron Kruhlak enjoys the challenges of handling new environmental projects with novel issues. His focus is on resource development applications and commercial disputes. He has a knowledge base that covers a broad range of environmental matters, including energy, regulatory, and construction-related projects and conflicts. On the resource side, Ron assists with current and emerging issues in sectors including...
Dennis Langen is a partner in the Energy Group and leads the Energy Regulatory Team in the Calgary office. His practice focuses on the regulation of energy development, infrastructure, markets and services. Dennis assists energy industry and utility industry clients whose businesses are focused on oil and gas, electricity, district energy, renewables and hydrogen. He frequently advises clients on all aspects of federal and provincial regulation of infrastructure including environmental, engin...
Cyndi Laval is a partner in Gowlings’ Vancouver office and co-leader of Gowlings' national Corporate Finance, M&A and Private Equity Group and Global Mining Group. She specializes in the areas of corporate finance, securities, mergers and acquisitions, and mining law. Cyndi’s practice involves advising both domestic and foreign companies regarding friendly and hostile merger transactions, corporate finance activities, such as equity and debt financings, stock exchange listings...
Amanda Linett is a partner and Co-Head of the Mining Group. She is also a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity and Capital Markets Groups and a member of the Management Committee in the Toronto office. Her practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions (cross-border and domestic), private equity and corporate finance transactions. Amanda has extensive experience advising senior management, boards of directors, special committees and other transaction participants in numerous...
Frank Mariage practises in the areas of securities, corporate law and mining law. Over the course of his career, he has developed legal expertise on mining issues. Frank represents mining companies and guides them during the discovery, sale, and processing of mineral deposits, in Canada and elsewhere. He specializes in the legal issues and challenges faced by mining companies.
Micheal conducts a corporate and commercial law practice in the land and resources practice group. His focus is on business and commercial law, property law, oil and gas, potash, energy and natural resources and environmental law. Micheal advises clients on sales and acquisitions, reorganizations, financings, leasing, permitting and regulatory and environmental compliance in the business, and energy and natural resources. Micheal’s experience in natural resources and environmental law i...
Bill McFetridge has over 40 years of experience providing professional strategic counsel and advice to clients in a range of industries, including transportation, marine, real estate, construction, maritime, wholesale distribution and forestry. Mr. McFetridge is particularly knowledgeable on the process of buying and selling businesses. For 10 years, he chaired “Legal Strategies for Business Acquisitions" designed for senior practitioners in British Columbia. He is also very experienced...
Grant McGlaughlin is co-leader of the Private Equity Group and practices in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, private equity, corporate finance, governance and sensitive and complex transactions. He provides superior service and expert legal advice to public and private issuers, underwriters and private equity funds in a broad range of industries including mining and natural resources, technology and industrial. Grant has an extensive corporate practice providing general legal and strate...
Mark Oulton is senior litigation counsel practicing general commercial and administrative litigation with a focus on forestry related matters. For over 20 years, Mark has appeared regularly as counsel before the Forest Appeals Commission, all levels of the British Columbia Courts and the Supreme Court of Canada. He also has an active commercial arbitration and mediation practice, representing clients in all manner of disputes. Mark’s focus is on solving his clients’ problems, whet...
Chrysten Perry, KC is Managing Partner of the Calgary office, Co-Head of the Energy Group and a member of the Partnership Board. With more than 30 years of experience practicing corporate and commercial law related to energy projects, Chrysten structures, negotiates and drafts agreements for joint ventures, partnerships and other investments in the energy industry. She is widely known for her expertise in operating and governance matters, complex asset purchase and sale, and equity purchase a...
Kurtis Reed is a partner in the Commercial Energy, Corporate, and Projects & Infrastructure Groups. His practice focuses on commercial and project development arrangements, primarily in the energy sector. Kurtis advises a diverse client base on matters including private share and asset purchase and sale transactions, joint venture arrangements, project development, transportation and storage arrangements, processing and handling arrangements, power purchase contracts, marketing contracts ...
John Sabetti practices primarily in the areas of securities, mergers, acquisitions and corporate commercial law. With significant experience in corporate finance and M&A transactions, John regularly assists clients with structuring and leading initial public offerings, private placements, acquisition financing, take-over bids, business combinations, debt offerings and redomiciling transactions. In his corporate commercial practice, John has acted for public companies and some of Canada&rs...
Jason Saltzman practises corporate finance and securities law, with an emphasis on securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital transactions, as well as all other aspects of corporate and securities law. Jason works with both established and emerging companies world-wide, primarily in the mining, technology, life science, cleantech (including renewable energy, water tech and ag tech), industrial, mid-tech and digital media and entertainment sectors. He as...
Harj is one of the founding partners of Sangra Moller LLP. Harj received his LL.B. from the University of British Columbia in 1984 and was admitted to the British Columbia Bar in 1985. Harj has been recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as one of the "repeatedly recommended" corporate finance and securities lawyers in British Columbia. He is also included in The Best Lawyers in Canada in the categories of Corporate Law (Finance) and Mergers & Acquisitions Law (Timber). Harj p...
Co-Chair, B.C., Business Law, Co-Chair, Forest Products Office Management Partner in the firm's Vancouver office Leader, Business Law Group, Vancouver office since 2007 Partner, Vancouver office, since 2007 Chair and member, Partner Allocation Committee (2011 to 2013) Member, Western Division Partner Compensation Committee (2007 to 2011) Tom Theodorakis joined the Vancouver office in 2005 after practicing with another Vancouver business law firm and became a partner in January 2007. Tom is a ...
One of Canada’s most highly regarded lending lawyers, John Torrey has a practice focused exclusively on lending transactions. With experience in all areas of lending, John has particular expertise in project and acquisition financings and in all aspects of mine finance. John acts on behalf of both borrowers and lenders and has extensive experience with a broad range of financings in a broad range of industries. The mine finance practice of John and his colleagues is amongst the most act...
Krisztian’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance with an emphasis on cross-border transactions, proxy contests and other contested matters, public and private financings, securities regulations and corporate governance. Clients value his ability to balance commercial and legal aspects and the broad range of his transactional experience. He has expertise in the national and international mining and oil and gas sectors and routinely acts for clients based in ...
André Turmel André Turmel practises energy law, negotiating generation, supply and transmission electricity agreements for producers in the biomass, cogeneration, biogas, hydro and wind sectors. He advises oil & gas clients on permitting and licences. He provides legal advices to companies operating in all areas of economic activity who wish to control their energy costs. He represents clients before public utility boards. André acts for governments, utilities and dev...
John Turner is Leader of the firm’s Global Mining Group and Chair of the Capital Markets and Mergers & Acquisitions (CM and M&A) Group. His practice is focused in the resource sector, where he has been involved in many leading corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions deals. One of Canada's national newspapers, the Financial Post, has described John as "one of the best dirt lawyers in Canada, if not the world." John represents issuers and underwriters in capital markets and...
Tom Valentine has more than 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, both as a barrister and a solicitor. In 2002 and 2003, Mr. Valentine lived in Doha, Qatar, where he was senior counsel (projects) with Qatar Petroleum. While in Qatar, Mr. Valentine was responsible for a number of international gas and LNG projects, including projects in the United Kingdom (Qatargas II), India (RasGas) and Spain (Endesa Generacion). Since returning to Canada Mr. Valentine’s work continues to...
Ron practices in the areas of commercial real estate, commercial finance and land development, energy and natural resources law, oil & gas law, potash and business and commercial law. His experience includes transactional work in the Province of Saskatchewan for a wide variety of local and national clients in the resource sector and the real estate development industry, as well as major financial institutions. Ron’s advice has been sought by clients in numerous secured transactions,...
Tina Woodside is one of Canada's leading corporate and securities lawyers. A Toronto-based Gowling WLG partner with more than 25 years' experience, she can provide you with expert, strategic advice on corporate finance, M&A and corporate governance matters, with a particular focus on the natural resources and mining sectors. Passionate about helping clients succeed in achieving their goals, Tina is known for her strong business acumen and commitment to delivering excellent service. She is...
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