Gowling WLG > Vancouver, Canada > Firm Profile

Gowling WLG > The Legal 500 Rankings

Canada > Indigenous law Tier 1

The practice at Gowling WLG is noted for advising a host of First Nation, Métis and Inuit governments, Indigenous political organizations, and government and corporate clients who work with Indigenous communities. Its advisory prowess encompasses the negotiation of claims and self-government agreements, Indigenous tax advice, environmental assessments and consultation to First Nations, as well as negotiating mineral and mining resource agreements. Class action litigation and disputes relating to Indigenous title and treaty rights make up the bulk of the team’s contentious work. Practice head Paul Seaman works from both the Toronto and Vancouver offices and focuses on transactions and projects where the Crown’s obligation to consult with Indigenous peoples is involved. Ottawa-based Cam Cameron majors on Indigenous commercial matters and gambling law.

Canada > Intellectual property Tier 1

Gowling WLG’s pre-eminent practice is widely lauded for its ‘in-depth expertise and knowledge in the field of intellectual property’. The group’s enviably deep bench and full-service coverage of IP law ensures that it is a go-to choice to support major Canadian and multinational companies in patent and trademark prosecution and IP litigation, among other issues. In Toronto, national IP head Shelagh Carnegie is sought after for her wealth of experience in trademark portfolio management and enforcement; Natalie Rizkalla-Kamel is also a key contact for trademark work; and Laurent Massam heads the IP litigation team. In Ottawa, heavyweight IP litigator Christopher Van Barr is widely revered for his record in representing major global corporations such as Google and Bayer. Patent experts Jay Zakaïb and John Harris, as well as trademark specialists Martha Savoy and Paula Clancy, are also noted in Ottawa. The group additionally benefits from a strong pool of up-and-coming lawyers including partners Nelson Godfrey (Vancouver) and Charlotte McDonald (Toronto), and impressive associate Jasleen Chahal (Toronto).

Canada > Business immigration Tier 2

Working closely with the firm’s employment and labour departments, the team at Gowling WLG demonstrates strength assisting clients with temporary work permit applications, permanent residence applications, corporate employee transfer applications and developing immigration and international mobility policies for corporations and startups. Practice co-head Bill MacGregor focuses exclusively on corporate and business immigration, and regularly assists employers with work permits, international transfers and hires. Andrew Bratt (labour and employment, corporate transactions) completes the leadership team. Krista Schofer leads the western Canadian immigration practice and has extensive experience advising on immigration compliance and facilitating the application processes for temporary resident visas, permanent residency and citizenship.

Canada > Cannabis Tier 2

An increasingly prominent firm in the cannabis sphere, Gowling WLG added 11 new clients to its roster over the past year. Distinguished by its ability to lean on the wider firm’s signature IP offering, the team shines in regulatory and IP-related issues, with sources highlighting its ‘extraordinary level of unique regulatory knowledge’. It also houses a robust transactional practice, which recently saw Toronto-based Peter Simeon advise IM Cannabis Corp on three strategic acquisitions completed through IMC Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of IM Cannabis and IMC Pharma. Ottawa-based regulatory specialist Lewis Retik co-heads the practice alongside Simeon. Toronto-based IP partner Natalie Rizkalla-Kamel is also noted.

Energy and natural resources > Power Tier 2

Among Gowling WLG’s industry sweet spots, the power group is distinguished by its skill sets in renewable projects, nuclear-related issues and regulatory work. On the renewable energy front, department co-head Thomas Timmins is particularly noted for his projects experience; he is advising Alectra Utilities on the structuring and roll-out of Ontario’s new generation of advanced metering. Fellow co-head Ahab Abdel-Aziz is highly regarded for his global reputation in the nuclear space, where his record spans commercial, regulatory and contentious matters. Energy regulation specialist Ian Mondrow; and nuclear law-focused associate Magdalena Hanebach are also recommended. Named lawyers are based in Toronto.

Canada > Environment Tier 2

Gowling WLG’s generous national network supports its involvement across a wide range of regional environmental law matters. In particular, the group is routinely engaged to handle environmental litigation — where it enjoys strong links with municipal clients — as well as environmental assessments, transactional support work, and regulatory issues. Department head Adam Chamberlain is based in Toronto but is additionally admitted to practice in the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut; he specializes in environmental and Indigenous law issues. The group also includes Toronto-based Rodney Northey, who focuses on regulatory approvals and strategies, and Toronto-based Jennifer Danahy. Senior partner Harry Dahme recently retired, while Wally Braul and Joshua Jantzi departed the firm in 2022.

Canada > Infrastructure projects Tier 2

Among Gowling WLG’s key attributes, sources value the infrastructure team’s ‘high level of collaboration’ and ‘strong reactivity’. Primarily recognized for its public sector-side work, where it leverages the wider firm’s close relationships with Crown corporations and municipal clients, the group also routinely acts for contractors. In a recent example of its work in the latter sphere, Toronto-based Mark Platteel paired up with talented Vancouver-based senior associate Natasha Rana to advise a consortium (formed by Dragados Canada, Acciona Infrastructure Canada and Aecon Infrastructure Management) on its bid for Phase One of the Calgary Green Line LRT Project. Platteel co-heads the practice together with Toronto-based Ted Betts and Montreal’s Luc Lissoir. Former department co-head Faithe Holder recently retired.

Canada > Media and entertainment Tier 2

Forming a key part of a global entertainment and sports law practice, Gowling WLG  is routinely engaged by a broad mix of Canadian and international clients, including individual artists, film and television producers, distributors and broadcasters, music publishers and book publishers, among others. Underpinned by the wider firm’s formidable IP offering, the group is particularly well-placed to advise on trademarks, branding, copyright and design-related matters, but it also supports on corporate and litigation issues. Toronto-based department head Susan Abramovitch leverages 25 years of transactional and contentious experience in media and entertainment law, while her triple-qualified (Ontario, Quebec and New York) status marks her as a strong choice for multi-jurisdictional work.

Canada > Construction Tier 3

Gowling WLG leverages the global bench strength of locations in 19 cities across nine countries and three continents, to advise on the entire lifecycle of major constructions, including multi-phased, multi-purpose real estate development projects (such as office, retail, commercial and residential complexes). In addition, the group’s full service extends to procurement processes, the negotiation of contract and labour agreements, project financing and insurance, environmental issues, health and safety, workers’ compensation and construction litigations, mediation and arbitration. The firm’s client portfolio spans such sectors as education, insurance, government, energy and aerospace. Ted Betts heads the practice, bringing over 20 years of experience to construction and infrastructure matters. Other key figures include seasoned litigator Sahil Shoor and associate Tristan Neill, who works at the firm’s office in the Waterloo region. Matthew Bernardo and Aaron Hunter joined as partners from in-house roles in January and February 2023. Unless noted, all lawyers mentioned work in Toronto.

Canada > Dispute resolution: Alberta Tier 3

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.

Canada > Dispute resolution: British Columbia Tier 3

Canada > Dispute resolution: Ontario Tier 3

Gowling WLG‘s Ontario-based group is known for its activity in aviation, insolvency and restructuring, banking, procurement, white-collar crime and competition-related disputes. The firm boasts five Ontario bases, spanning Hamilton, Ottawa, Toronto and Kitchener. Key department figures include Scott Kugler, whose focus is on complex commercial disputes, including class actions and shareholder disputes; and Natalie Mullins, well-versed in civil litigation and environmental law – she focuses her practice on complex contaminated lands disputes. Other key figures include Sandra Barton, who brings extensive experience to contractual disputes, and Sahil Shoor, who specializes in matters related to construction and infrastructure.

Canada > Dispute resolution: Quebec Tier 3

Gowling WLG's Montreal office offers a range of dispute resolution services, handling shareholder and partnership disputes, derivatives litigation, class action, breach of contract and product liability matters. The group is well-equipped to handle real estate, commercial, environmental, insolvency and construction litigation. Practice head Guy Poitras is well-versed in class actions for damages relating to defective motor vehicle, electronic appliance and pharmaceutical products. Alexandre Sami is noted for his product liability and commercial litigation expertise.

Canada > Insurance Tier 3

Gowling WLG’s multidisciplinary insurance practice acts for a broad mix of industry clients — including insurers, other financial institutions, brokers and agents — on regulatory matters, corporate transactions and litigation. Toronto-based Belinda Bain heads the national insurance and professional liability group and is noted for contentious work. The team additionally draws on Calgary-based litigator Paul Stein KC. Michael Garellek departed in November 2022. Partner Filomena Frisina retired from the firm in October 2023.

Canada > Real estate Tier 3

Global firm Gowling WLG channels the bench strength of its 7 national locations to advise multinational development companies, financial institutions, national retailers, Canadian and international pension funds, First Nations, Crown corporations, REITs, private utilities and health care institutions, on a diverse span of matters across the practice area. They range from real estate acquisitions and dispositions, master planned community developments (an area in which the firm shows particular expertise), joint ventures and the leasing of commercial, retail, industrial and hotel properties to construction, land-use planning and large-scale industrial, airport, and shopping centre redevelopments. The practice is led by Joel Camley, who brings extensive experience in multi-unit mixed use, office tower, hotel and airport projects. Murray Braaten provides expertise to developers and lending institutions in major commercial, real estate and resort investment and development matters, along with Paulina Kam, who, additionally, handles site acquisition, land assemblies rezoning and subdivision and servicing requirements. Pamela Green departed in May 2023. All lawyers mentioned work in the Vancouver office.

Canada > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 3

The group at Gowling WLG specializes in multi-jurisdictional and cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters, and is routinely instructed by debtors, creditors and court appointed officers. Geneviève Cloutier leads the practice from Montreal and focuses on insolvency and restructuring, distressed acquisitions, and banking and commercial litigation matters. National distressed M&A department practice head David Cohen, of the Toronto office, is also active on domestic and cross-border restructuring and insolvency mandates.

Canada > Tax Tier 3

Gowling WLG‘s tax group demonstrates expertise in range of contentious and non-contentious matters, among them matters relating to transactional tax, tax dispute resolution, indirect tax, transfer matters and Indigenous tax. Practice head Paul Carenza leads from Toronto and majors on the design and implementation of tax-effective executive compensation plans for public and private sector employers. Ottawa-based Pierre Alary focuses primarily on contentious tax matters, as does tax disputes specialist John Sorensen in Toronto. Partner Dan Misutka left the firm in September 2022.

Canada > Technology Tier 3

Gowling WLG‘s almost 150-strong technology department routinely assists Canadian and international clients in both the private and public sectors with e-commerce law, M&A transactions, outsourcing and cybersecurity matters. The group is also regularly engaged in projects involving AI, blockchain and fintech. Viona Duncan steers the practice and specializes in assisting clients with M&A and debt and equity financings with technology components, as well as technology contracting matters such as licensing, joint venture, strategic alliance and distribution agreements.

Transport > Aviation Tier 3

The aviation expertise of the group at Gowling WLG encompasses customer and supply agreements, advertising and marketing affairs, joint bids and bid protests, procurement and lease agreements, financing and multi-jurisdictional litigation. Project development and finance specialist Thomas Timmins steers the practice. Key partners include Ottawa-based Cynthia Elderkin, whose focus is on transactions involving the regulation, leasing, sale and purchase of commercial, business and personal aircraft; and Montreal-based David Kierans, who handles secured lending and aviation finance.

Canada > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

Global firm Gowling WLG leverages the bench strength of its 7 national locations and dedicated general corporate, corporate commercial, capital markets and public M&A, private M&A, and private funds teams, to provide a full service to international and domestic corporates involved in high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions. The group’s client portfolio spans sectors ranging from food, cannabis, life sciences and tech to oil and gas, manufacturing, software and fintech. In addition, the firm’s offering extends to emerging areas, such as AI, blockchain and cryptocurrency. The practice is led in Calgary by Frank Sur, a specialist in energy and tech, who brings experience to private and public M&A, fund formation, public offerings, regulatory compliance and general commercial agreements. Partner Nurhan Aycan departed in October 2022.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 4

With 7 national locations and a presence spanning the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the mining practice at Gowling WLG brings strength to mid-market matters, assisting domestic and multinational mining operations with matters ranging from mineral exploration and project finance to environmental issues, joint ventures and high-value, multi-jurisdictional M&A. Securities expert Ian Mitchell leads the team, advising on M&A, public offerings, private placements and regulatory compliance. Other key figures include Erik Goldsilver, who brings over 20 years to the practice space; France Tenaille, who brings expertise in Latin America, having practiced in both Ontario and Venezuela; and, in Vancouver, business department head Brett Kagetsu and Cyndi Laval, a specialist in advising publicly-listed companies in the resources industry. Unless noted, all lawyers mentioned work in the Toronto office.

Energy and natural resources > Oil and gas Tier 4

Gowling WLG’s Calgary-centred oil and gas practice is now led by incoming partner Andrew Lamb, who joined from Lamb Law in December 2022, following the October 2022 retirement of former group head Lorne Rollheiser. Among the team’s highlight matters, it is increasingly working alongside its power practice to handle energy transition-related issues. James Smellie also retired in 2022, while Joshua Jantzi recently left to join DLA Piper (Canada) LLP.

Canada > International trade Tier 4

The ‘prompt, pragmatic and solutions-focused’ international trade practice at Gowling WLG is routinely engaged to advise on export controls, economic sanctions, customs compliance and trade litigation, including trade remedies. Ottawa-based trade and cyber security expert Wendy Wagner fronts the group and maintains a broad trade practice, demonstrating strong recent activity in customs and sanctions-related matters. The team additionally draws on Ottawa-based associate Hunter Fox, who sits in the advocacy group and provides support on trade-related disputes.

Canada > Labour and employment Tier 4

The ‘passionate, accurate, confident and experienced’ group at Gowling WLG is routinely retained by corporations in diverse sectors seeking assistance with labour and employment matters. The practice is jointly led by a trio of partners, comprising: the ‘very knowledgeable’ Toronto-based national lead Andrew Bratt; Maxwell Brunette, who splits his time between Calgary and Vancouver and focuses on labour relations matters and employment standards disputes; and Josée Gervais, who leads from the Montreal office and handles the gamut of employment law matters. Bettina Burgess is the key contact at the Kitchener office.

Canada > Banking and finance

Gowling WLG fields a comprehensive banking and finance practice, which brings to bear niche expertise in specialist areas such as fintech, blockchain and Canada payments rules. Toronto-based Christopher Alam leads the national lending team, and, additionally, leads the Toronto real estate and financial services groups. Calgary lead Elizabeth Burton is also noted for her robust transactional finance practice. Other key contacts include Dom Glavota, who splits his time between Toronto and Hamilton, and Toronto-based Kelby Carter.