Terri-Lee Oleniuk > Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP > Calgary, Canada > Lawyer Profile

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP fields one of the deepest environmental law benches in Canada, with the ability to call on experts in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. It is additionally distinguished by its experience across all key industry sectors, as well as by its coverage of the full range of permitting, environmental assessments, project approvals and corporate support work, among other areas. Jonathan Kahn (Toronto) steers the department and is a go-to specialist for complex, high-stakes cases. The group further draws on the senior expertise of Charles Kazaz (Montreal/Toronto), who has a focus on the industrial, mining and waste-management sectors; Tony Crossman (Vancouver), who is equipped to handle regulatory work, due diligence and litigation; Lana Finney (Toronto), whose track record spans land contamination, permitting, regulatory compliance and litigation; and Terri-Lee Oleniuk (Calgary), who is recommended for energy-related work.

Recognized by many as a first port of call for oil and gas transactions, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP excels across the full range of M&A, joint ventures, project development and investment matters. The energy practice additionally leverages a broad regulatory offering, which integrates specialists in energy regulation, environmental law and Indigenous law. Among its recent highlights, Calgary managing partner Ben Rogers acted alongside up-and-coming department co-head Christine Milliken to advise TC Energy Corporation on corporate and commercial matters related to the development of the C$12bn Coastal GasLink Pipeline. The Calgary-based group also draws on the transactional expertise of Chris Harris and practice co-lead Keith Byblow, while associate Ashton Menuz provides support. On the regulatory front, department co-head Terri-Lee Oleniuk is sought after for her comprehensive experience spanning regulatory, environmental and Indigenous law issues. Lars Olthafer and Katie Slipp are also recommended for regulatory and environmental compliance and approval processes.

The expertise of the practice group at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP takes in litigation, M&A transactions, project and real estate financing and tax work. The team is regularly called upon by natural resources players, developers of pipelines, LNG and energy projects and consumer goods companies operating in First Nation territories, as well as First Nations governing bodies and First Nation-owned businesses. Vancouver-based Roy Millen and Sam Adkins share leadership of the department. Millen specializes in Indigenous rights, commercial litigation and international trade matters. Adkins, for his part, routinely assists natural resource-sector clients with Indigenous consultation, negotiation and regulatory matters. Also noted are Calgary-based Terri-Lee Oleniuk (regulatory, environmental and Indigenous law issues); and Vancouver-based Rochelle Collette, who is the key associate-level contact.

Particularly noted for its expertise in projects and commercial transactions, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s power practice draws on transactional partners Keith Byblow (Calgary), Sébastien Vilder (Montreal), Scott Clarke (Calgary) and up-and-coming name, Ky Kvisle (Toronto). The transactional team is supported by a growing regulatory offering led by Calgary-based energy regulation head Terri-Lee Oleniuk and also including Toronto-based counsel Reena Goyal, who recently joined from McCarthy Tétrault — Goyal contributes significant in-house experience gained during an eight-year stint at the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). Since publication, former team head Vivian Kung departed the firm.