David Tupper > Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP > Calgary, Canada > Lawyer Profile

The construction dispute specialists at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP bring expertise to representing domestic and multinational developers, owners, contractors, engineers, architects, suppliers, lenders and insurers, involved in complex, high-value litigation and arbitration. The firm displays particular strength in the energy, transport, government, real estate and infrastructure sectors. The practice is led by David Tupper in Toronto, whose experience includes appearing before the courts of Alberta (at all levels) and in the Federal Court of Appeal. Other key figures include seasoned arbitrators Laura Cundari in Vancouver and Matthew Liben in Montréal, and Alyssa Duke in Calgary, who focuses on multi-party commercial disputes involving such matters as contractor delays, failure to properly maintain facilities, deficient work and construction product liability issues.

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.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP possesses an impressively well-rounded insurance practice that is well positioned to handle high-level litigation as well as transactional and regulatory matters. A popular choice for major domestic and international insurers and reinsurers, the group is frequently involved in the most headline-grabbing matters to hit the market. Among the names to note, Calgary-based David Tupper is highly regarded for contentious insurance work; he is representing a nuclear power mutual insurance company in a C$50m dispute with its reinsurer. Montreal-based Matthew Liben is also recommended for insurance litigation. On the regulatory side, Toronto-based department co-head Paul Belanger is sought after for his broad financial services expertise. Other key names on the non-contentious front include financial regulation specialist Bonny Murray as well as transactional-focused partners Jake Gilbert and Michael Elder – all operate from Toronto.