The group at DLA Piper is well-versed in providing strategic advice and representation to shippers, terminals, governments, short-line railways and passenger railways. Contract negotiation, railway safety and security, demurrage disputes and noise and disruption complaints are core areas of expertise for the team. The practice is jointly led by Vancouver-based partners Forrest Hume and John Landry KC, who are singled out by one client for their ‘extensive understanding of rail regulations in Canada’. Leading litigator Hume has substantial in-house experience, while Landry regularly appears before the Canada Transportation Agency, acting on rail transportation mandates. Also in Vancouver, associate Taryn Urquhart has focused her practice on advising government entities and private sector clients and on the regulatory requirements applicable to railways.

The department at McCarthy Tétrault is known for acting for producers, rail and motor carriers, warehousers and governmental stakeholders in order to minimize transportation delays. With regards to litigation, the group has significant experience representing Canadian motor carrier fleets and inter-city bus operating authorities, appearing before the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada, Transport Canada, the Canadian Transportation Agency and the Transportation Safety Board. Quebec City-based practice co-head David Blair is noted for his expertise in international transportation, safety standards regulation, carriers’ liability and trade-related issues. Alongside him, Brian Lipson also co-leads from Quebec City. Partner as of June 2022, Lipson handles regulatory compliance, surface and air transportation licensing and warehousing matters.

Fasken's practice assists clients with a range of land transportation matters, covering transactional, contentious and regulatory mandates. Core areas of expertise include class action, arbitration and mediation, licensing matters, cargo claims and complaints before the Canadian Transportation Agency. Steven Rosenhek, Peter Pliszka and Rosalind Cooper co-lead from Toronto, while Paul Wilson is based in Vancouver. Rosenhek and Pliszka focus on contentious matters, while Cooper also handles occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation matters. Ian Campbell advises on labour matters stemming from transportation matters. Partner Elizabeth Fashler left the firm in May 2023.

National and regional railway companies, urban transit authorities, transportation service providers, project developers, contractors, operators and insurers regularly feature on the client roster of the group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. Areas of expertise include financing, regulatory planning, compliance, litigation and arbitration. Toronto-based litigator Robin Squires steers the national department and handles class action defence and complex casualty matters. Ex-rail and road team head Robert Shouldice retired in 2023.

The transport group at Dentons routinely receives a variety of road, rail and public transit mandates. Its road transport expertise covers trucking and bus regulation and dangerous goods matters. In the rail sphere, it is equipped to advise on mixed-use systems and associated regulatory issues. With regards to public transit, the group regularly advises government agencies and private sector developers, operators, lenders and investors on public transit projects. Toronto-based practice head Michael Ledgett covers advisory matters, while Marina E Sampson is noted for her litigation skill.