Known for its ‘unique experience' in niche transportation law, the team at DLA Piper advises an array of high-profile clients and has particular knowledge on transit disputes and has experienced litigators overseeing these matters. Rail deregulation involving parliamentary-sanctioned remedies and tariff charges are some of the many matters the team oversees. The practice is led by Forrest Hume and John Landry; both are based in Vancouver. Hume has particular expertise in regulatory litigation, having acted as in-house counsel for Canadian National Railway Company while Landry is best known for his economic and trade related litigation expertise.
Other transport in Canada
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘The practice is highly unique due to the amount of experience that they have in a relatively specialized area of law.’
Key clients
Procureure Générale du Québec
Freight Management Association of Canada
Canada Malting Co Ltd.
Louis Dreyfus Company Canada ULC (formerly Louise Dreyfus Commodities Canada Ltd.)
Work highlights
- Advised Procureure Générale due Québec on rail legislation and liability relating to the tragic rail accident that occurred July 6, 2013 at Lac Megantic, Quebec that resulted in the deaths of 47 individuals.
- Successfully defended Louis Dreyfus Company Canada ULC jurisdictional objection in Federal Court, and CN’s subsequent appeal of that decision.
McCarthy Tétrault
McCarthy Tétrault‘s practice is well-regarded for its representation of Canadian motor carrier fleets and inter-city bus operating authorities. Its litigation expertise has benefitted clients with matters before the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada, Transport Canada, the Canadian Transportation Agency and the Transportation Safety Board. The team is equipped to oversee rail matters where the energy and rail industries overlap. Based in Quebec, David Blair heads the practice and has extensive experience encompasses international transportation and carrier liability. Brian Lipson is also noted for his rail and road regulatory compliance expertise.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Greyhound Lines Inc./Greyhound Canada Transportation ULC
Lithia Motors Inc.
PSA International and Ashcroft Terminal
Canadian National Railway Company
Methanex Corporation
CSX Corp
Autocars Orléans Express Inc.
Canadian Pacific Railway Company
Via Rail Canada
Univar
Work highlights
- Advised Canadian National Railway Company as quasi-seconded internal counsel in respect of an extensive range of contractual and litigation matters, including approval of all Canadian freight agreements, representation before the TATC and CTA, and negotiations with shippers and governmental entities, reporting directly to CN’s senior regulatory counsel.
- Advised CSX Corp. as Canadian counsel in its acquisition of Florida-based chemicals transportation company Quality Carriers, Inc.
- Advised Greyhound Canada Transportation ULC in respect of the shutting down of all Canadian operations and closure of the company.
Fasken
Fasken handles a wide scope of transportation matters, including collision disputes, cargo claims and project contracts. The practice is also knowledgeable in the handling of licensing, regulatory and administrative matters. Steven Rosenhek, Peter Pliszka and Rosalind Cooper co-lead the team from Toronto alongside Paul Wilson who is based in Vancouver. Rosenhek and Pliszka are well-regarded for their litigation expertise, whereas Cooper’s expertise includes occupational health and safety compensation knowledge. Wilson is noted for his railway project expertise.
Practice head(s):
Rosalind Cooper; Paul Wilson; Steven Rosenhek; Peter Pliszka
Other key lawyers:
Ian Campbell
Testimonials
‘Peter Pliszka and Steve Rosenhek are both experienced product litigators with significant experience in defending the auto industry.’
‘The Faskens litigation transportation team has critical depth and expertise when it comes to railway related litigation in particular. The Faskens team upholds the highest standard of professionalism and expertise and cooperation between all counsel.’
‘’Steven Rosenhek and Christopher Rae are experts in railway litigation, they are professional and provide excellent representation in and out of court for their transportation clients.’
‘The firm has a solid team with excellent bench strength.’
‘Steven Rosenkek is an exceptional transport law practitioner and a pleasure to deal with.’
‘The team includes some leading railway law practitioners.’
Key clients
Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Schneider National Carriers
Canadian Pacific Railway
Trimac Transportation
VIA Rail
Marsh Canada Limited
Turbomeca SA
XTL Transport
Penske Canada
Ryder Truck Rental Canada Ltd.,
Work highlights
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP‘s vast client list includes national and regional railway companies, urban transit authorities, transportation service providers and project developers. The team’s expertise includes regulatory planning and compliance, financing and infrastructure. Robin Squires oversees the practice’s national transportation group, with Robert Shouldice heading the rail and road team.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Aaron Bowler
Key clients
BELPacific Excavating and Shoring Limited Partnership
Railways: Canadaian National Railway, BC Rail, Southern Railway of BC, Canadian Pacific Railway, Burlington Northern Railway
Greyhound Canada, Mullen Trucking, Bison Transport Inc
Public transport : Metrolinx, Translik
Cities and Municipalities, Ottawa, Montreal, Waterloo
Major Insurers, Allianz, AXA XL, USAIG, AIG, TT Club, Swiss Re, Lloyds, ITIC
Chantier Davie Canada Inc.
Kintetsu World Express (Canada) Inc.
Work highlights
Dentons
The transportation team at Dentons handles work from various industries such as rail, road and public transit. Its knowledge of the rail sector includes the shipment of dangerous goods, while road expertise encompasses the handling of cargo claims. Public transit experience is focused on advising developers and lenders on public transit projects. Both Michael Ledgett and Ilan Dunsky head the team, operating from Toronto and Montreal respectively.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Canadian National Railway Company (“CN”)
Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC)
The Dow Chemical Company
Ontario Public Transit Association
Work highlights
- Advised CN and successfully obtained multiple injunctions in Ontario and across multiple provinces where unlawful blockades of CN’s railways crippled the country’s rail infrastructure and economy for several weeks.
- Advised CN on an agreement for the acquisition of the Massena rail line from CSX, which represents more than 220 miles of track between Valleyfield (Quebec), in Canada, and Woodard (New York), in the U.S.
- Advised The Dow Chemical Company concerning Canadian rail regulatory matters in the sale of North American Railroad operations and assets.