John Olynyk > Lawson Lundell LLP > Vancouver, Canada > Lawyer Profile

Lawson Lundell LLP’s distinctive geographical footprint, which spans offices across Alberta, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, uniquely positions it for energy and natural resources-related environmental work. Primarily noted for its formidable record in the mining area, the group also excels in the agriculture, forestry, energy, transport and manufacturing sectors. It further stands out for its ability to leverage its prominent Indigenous and dispute resolution practices for support on large-scale matters. In Vancouver, Brad Armstrong is a go-to environmental expert, with Laura Duke, Jennifer Nyland and Christine Kowbel also recommended. In Calgary, seasoned specialist John Olynyk and up-and-coming partner Shailaz Dhalla are noted.

Vancouver-headquartered Lawson Lundell LLP’s strategic focus on Western and Northern Canada ensures that it maintains a well-staffed Calgary platform and it is active in oil and gas matters across BC, Alberta and beyond. Combining strength in transactional and regulatory work, the team additionally brings to bear significant complementary expertise in environmental and Indigenous law. The group is co-led from Calgary by Paul Negenman, whose oil and gas practice spans transactions, regulatory issues and litigation, and firm general counsel John Olynyk, who specializes in Indigenous, environmental and regulatory law.

Lawson Lundell LLP‘s practice group regularly handles energy and infrastructure development projects, including mining projects, oil sands projects, transportation and shipping infrastructure projects and LNG projects on behalf of governmental and Indigenous organizations. Vancouver-based Keith Bergner, who co-leads the department, specializes in Indigenous, energy and power and regulatory mandates across western and northern Canada. Alongside him, Calgary-based John Olynyk majors on advising oil sands developers, oil-and-gas companies and mining companies on environmental regulatory matters and Indigenous consultation issues. Corporate and commercial specialist Lana Shipley and litigator Brad Armstrong KC, both of whom are based in Vancouver, are additional key contacts.