Best Lawyers in Canada for Natural Resources Law

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...

Ryan Keays practises primarily in the area of energy and resources, but also focuses on business law and corporate and commercial law. He advises clients on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, with a specific focus on the energy sector, both domestically and internationally. His practice has included representing clients in oil and gas asset acquisitions and divestitures, share acquisitions and divestitures, negotiation of production sharing contracts and other host government ...

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,...

Sean Parker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law and Natural Resources Law. Sean, who practices law in Edmonton, Alberta, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sean is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mihai Ionescu is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Natural Resources Law. Mihai, who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mihai is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 W. Milani KC is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Asset-Based Lending Practice, Banking and Finance Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Director and Officer Liability Practice, Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Natural Resources Law. Michael W., who practices law in Regina, Saskatchewan, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustiv...

Khaled practises mining law and is the Co-Leader of the firm's Mining Group. He provides legal support for mineral exploration activities and mine development and operations. He advises on acquisitions and dispositions of mines and mining projects both domestically and around the world, mine financing, and on a broad range of mining matters, including the negotiation of earn-in, joint venture, strategic alliance, royalty and streaming agreements, and mineral title review. Khaled also practise...

G. Brett Ledingham is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Mining Law, Natural Resources Law and Oil and Gas Law. G. Brett, who practices law in Regina, Saskatchewan, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which G. Brett is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Wayne Fedun has practised oil and gas law in Canada and internationally since 1992. He has negotiated and prepared a variety of energy industry agreements, including joint venture agreements, project development agreements, project finance agreements, facility agreements, engineering, procurement and construction agreements, transportation agreements, marketing agreements, Canadian East Coast off-shore agreements and various South American and Central Asian agreements. These agreements relate...

Andrew is the Co-Leader of the Firm’s Global Mining Group and focuses his corporate/commercial practice in Vancouver within the mining and construction industries. As a former partner of a major national Australian law firm (prior to joining Fasken), and having practiced in Western Australia predominately in mining and resources, Andrew is highly sought after for his expertise. As a member of the firm's Global Mining Group, Andrew advises major and junior mining companies on a wide rang...

Paul C. Wilson is Chair of the firm’s Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources group. His practice focuses on energy, infrastructure, transportation and natural resources projects, with an emphasis on environmental and Indigenous matters. Paul negotiates project contracts, concession agreements and deals with environmental assessments and permitting for major infrastructure, port infrastructure, energy and mining projects. Paul is also recognized for his experience related to project...