The Alberta group at Bennett Jones LLP demonstrates strength in commercial litigation involving the mining, oil and gas, construction and tech sectors, and has experience representing individuals and multinational companies in all levels of the Canadian courts. In addition, the team’s corporate litigation expertise covers shareholder disputes, post-M&A litigation, securities litigation and breach of contract. Christine Plante heads up the department; additional key partners include Blair Yorke-Slader KC, whose workload includes contract, shareholder, securities and trust disputes; and Munaf Mohamed KC, who specializes in financial crimes matters and also has broad arbitration experience. Michael Mysak‘s work has an emphasis on fraud litigation, securities litigation and shareholder disputes; Laura Gill is active on energy and corporate disputes, including indemnity claims and joint ventures.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP houses a sizeable practice in Alberta which regularly represents clients before tribunals and government agencies relating to oil and gas, construction, infrastructure, banking, construction and power disputes. Arbitration, as well as corporate and employment litigation, constitute additional strengths. The practice of Renee Reichelt, who co-heads the 40-strong team, spans corporate and commercial litigation, class actions and shareholder disputes. Leading alongside her, Michael Dixon represents a range of Canadian and multinational corporate clients in contentious matters. Securities, environmental, insurance and property matters make up the core of partner David Tupper‘s practice. Brendan MacArthur-Stevens was promoted to partner in January 2023.

Calgary-based litigation boutique JSS Barristers handles a range of disputes including employment, defamation, corporate, personal injury, professional negligence and IP-related matters. Glenn Solomon KC steers the practice and focuses on business litigation and corporate, commercial and contract disputes. Alongside fellow co-founding partner and seasoned litigator Sabri Shawa KC, Carsten Jensen KC majors on commercial class actions, oil & gas disputes, shareholder disputes, multi-party litigation and arbitrations; class action group co-chair Kajal Ervin is an additional key contact. The name to note at associate level is that of Cassandra Sutter, who has experience handling class actions, corporate and commercial litigation, professional negligence matters and real property and real estate litigation.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s broad Alberta offering includes litigation involving the oil and gas, renewables, manufacturing, insurance and construction segments. Disputes involving contracts, joint ventures, construction projects, securities and professional liability are additional strengths. Ray Chartier steers the practice and shines above all in complex commercial litigation for infrastructure and energy clients. The practice boasts a group of star litigators, including the ‘responsive and timely’ Steve Leitl KC, senior partner Clarke Hunter KC and Roger Smith KC, who majors on oil and gas and corporate securities litigation. Lara Mason handles class action defence and has substantial expertise in Aboriginal law and electricity regulation matters; Kaitlin Long is routinely engaged in energy, regulatory and Indigenous-related disputes. Gunnar Benediktsson‘s practice has a focus on commercial disputes and complex insolvency, liquidation and restructuring matters.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP‘s Calgary office excels at litigation involving pipelines, construction, electricity, insolvency and securities-related matters. The group also has experience handling arbitration, insolvency disputes, and shareholder and contractual disputes. A recent work highlight saw the group successfully represent Signalta Resources in a claim against Canadian Natural Resources, a notable energy dispute. Patricia Morrison KC steers the practice and is routinely involved in the mediation, arbitration and litigation of construction disputes on large-scale commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects. Key contact Randall Block KC is highly specialized in energy and oil and gas litigation. In addition to oil and gas disputes, Loni da Costa brings expertise to securities defence and regulatory investigations.

The 29-strong Calgary group at McCarthy Tétrault handles insolvency, securities, construction, IP, oil and gas and insurance disputes. Practice head Douglas Yoshida has focused his practice on corporate-commercial litigation in the oil and gas and energy segments, including oil sands facility failures and joint venture disputes involving international companies. Key partner Sean Smyth KC is noted for his expertise in commercial contracts work, class action, shareholders' rights and directors' liability claims, while Kara Smyth is specialized in oil and gas, real estate, product liability, agro-science and technology-related disputes. Bryan West routinely represents corporations and partnerships in disputes relating to major construction and redevelopment projects.

Operating from branches in Calgary and Edmonton, the group at Dentons has experience advising on a wide range of commercial litigation matters in Alberta. Its key strengths include energy, competition and financial services litigation, product and professional liability litigation, and domestic and international arbitration. Leadership of the department is shared by four seasoned partners: Mercedes Hitesman and Wendy Moody direct the Edmonton office, while Kelly Osaka and John Cusano lead from Calgary. National practice head Rachel Howie is also based in Calgary, along with key litigator Gordon Tarnowsky, who is highly specialized in energy and oil and gas matters. Other key names include Dennis Picco KC and Simon Elzen-Hoskyn in Edmonton.

Fasken's Alberta group is known for its arbitration and litigation expertise, for which it is regularly sought out by clients in the construction, logistics, oil and gas, healthcare and telecoms spaces. The team has additional expertise in public sector procurement disputes. The practice is co-led by two Calgary-based partners: Karen Wyke specializes in litigation and arbitration for commercial and construction matters, while Gulu Punia handles commercial and employment litigation. Key partner Darren Reed focuses on construction, product liability, class action and securities matters.

The expertise of Gowling WLG‘s group covers energy, environmental and construction disputes, as well as arbitration and litigation stemming from PPP infrastructure projects and shareholders’ claims. Ricki Johnston heads up the Alberta practice and specializes in corporate commercial litigation and professional liability defence. Ex-practice head David Bishop remains active on product and professional liability disputes and corporate and commercial litigation matters. Warren Foley brings strength to litigating operator disputes, pipeline ruptures and facility allocation disputes in the energy industry. The key name to note at the associate level is Kevin Pedersen‘s; he supports the partners with commercial litigation.

Fielding 22 lawyers in Alberta alone, the disputes practice at global giant DLA Piper (Canada) LLP operates from offices in both Calgary and Edmonton and is active in environmental, aboriginal, product liability, tort and class action disputes, in addition its distinct know-how in oilfield services, power electrical issues and surface rights. Standout department figures include seasoned litigator Heather Treacy and Patrick Roche, who focuses on litigation and arbitration in the energy and construction sectors. Calgary-based counsel Katrina Edgerton-McGhan is an up-and-comer with exposure to education, utilities, tech and procurement disputes.

Lawson Lundell LLP's Calgary office is noted for its disputes offering, which encompasses shareholder disputes, insolvency, indigenous law, employment, property, tax and commercial litigation. Energy, telecoms, real estate and tech companies regularly feature on the 20-strong group’s client roster. Shannon Hayes heads up the practice and is well-versed in contractual and business tort disputes within the energy, electricity and oil and gas sectors, both before the courts and in arbitration.