Dispute resolution: Alberta in Canada

Bennett Jones LLP

Widely recognised for its commercial litigation work in Alberta, Bennett Jones LLP offers specialized services including class action defence and tax litigation. It is regularly sought out by clients in the energy, mining and tech industries. Leading the group in Calgary, Christine Plante is a name to note for fraud recovery and employment litigation, and practice co-head Mike Theroux is devoted to energy disputes and securities litigation. Recognized for her expertise in partnership, shareholder and trust disputes, Blair Yorke-Slader KC is another key member of the team. The group benefits from the arbitration experience of Munaf Mohamed KC, whilst Michael Mysak is a name to note for public and private corporations and financial institutions. Laura Gill left the firm in December 2024.

Responsables de la pratique:

Christine Plante; Mike Theroux KC


Autres avocats clés:

Blair Yorke-Slader KC; Munaf Mohamed KC; Michael Mysak


Principaux clients

Wood Group Canada, Inc.


801 Seventh Inc.


Dow Chemical Canada ULC


Third Eye Capital Corporation


Lithium Royalty Corporation


Blowers & Grafton Enterprises


Molopo Energy Canada Ltd.


Siksika Group of Companies


Montem Resources Alberta Ltd., Black Eagle Mining Corporation


Big Plans for Little Kids Ltd


Hut 8 Mining Corp


Canadian Pacific Railway Company and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CPKC)


Shopify Inc


CNRL


Northback Holdings


Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Ltd.


Arcurve Inc.


Principaux dossiers


Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

With a proven track record in trial and appellate courts, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP remains a leading litigation team in Alberta. Key services include domestic and international arbitration, product liability and corporate litigation. Leadership of the group is shared between two partners: Renee Reichelt is involved in securities litigation, class actions and shareholder disputes, and Michael Dixon acts primarily in energy sector litigation. The team benefits from David Tupper, who has extensive experience of takeover litigation in addition to construction, environmental and oil and gas disputes. Brendan MacArthur-Stevens has considerable trial, appellate litigation and arbitration experience. Team changes include Sophie Mansfield’s promotion to partnership, whilst Keith Marlowe KC departed the firm.

Responsables de la pratique:

Renee Reichelt; Michael Dixon


Autres avocats clés:

David Tupper; Brendan MacArthur-Stevens


Principaux clients

Strathcona Resources Ltd., Waterous Energy Fund and Affiliates


Air Liquide Canada Inc.


CO-Solve Solutions Inc. and Darren Thatcher


Shell Canada Limited


Imperial Oil Limited


TC Energy Corporation


Chubb Insurance, Intact Insure, Lloyd’s of London


WestJet Airlines


Johnson & Johnson Services Inc.


Stronghold Digital Mining LLC


ENMAX Corporation


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Strathcona Resources Ltd. and Waterous Energy Fund and Affiliates on several notable matters, including Waterous Energy Fund and various relating entities in its $323m acquisition of 56.4% of the common shares and 2,654,179 Common Share purchase warrants of Greenfire Resources.
  • Provided litigation counsel to TC Energy Corporation in the context of its C$14.5bn spinoff of its Liquids Pipelines business into South Bow Corporation.
  • Provide counsel to Stronghold Digital Mining LLC in a $59,677,003 dispute with Minerva Semiconductor Corp relating to an Equipment Purchase Agreement for Application-Specific Integrated Circuit Miners used to mine Bitcoin.

JSS Barristers

Calgary-based litigation boutique JSS Barristers has longstanding experience in complex litigation, arbitration, mediation and appellate advocacy. The group also has in-depth knowledge of construction, engineering, real estate and securities litigation. Team head Glenn Solomon KC focuses his practice on business litigation, contract and shareholder disputes. The group also benefits from the expertise of Carsten Jensen KC, who is an authority on commercial class actions, arbitrations and oil and gas disputes, whilst managing partner Kajal Ervin is a key name to note for corporate commercial arbitrations. Andrew Wilson KC and Gavin Price  also come highly recommended. Counsel Cassandra Sutter exhibits skill in fraudulent conveyance and enforcement claims, property litigation and professional negligence cases.

Responsables de la pratique:

Glenn Solomon KC


Autres avocats clés:

Carsten Jensen KC; Kajal Ervin; Cassandra Sutter; Robert Hawkes; Andrew Wilson; Gavin Price; Sarah Miller; Gio Perri


Les références

‘From my perspective, it’s the personal relationships that I have with various lawyers of the firm that makes it unique. Those that I have worked with are all talented lawyers. They are very thoughtful and strategic in providing advice, and work very hard to make sure that their clients’ interests are protected. The level of service makes JSS unique from other firms. I will hear from them immediately/same day if there is a development on a file, even if that development does not require immediate steps to be taken. This differs from other firms, in that I always feel like our matters are the most important to them. The level of strategic thought is another aspect that makes JSS unique from other firms. Each lawyer I have dealt with has been excellent at mapping out possible outcomes and how to get to where we want to be at the end of the file. They listen carefully to client concerns and make sure those concerns are addressed as part of the plan.’

‘Glenn Solomon is our go-to for litigation matters.’

‘Expertise with administrative tribunals and privacy/access law.’

Principaux clients

Roland Auer


Brown-Forman Corporation


Metalmark Group of Companies


JL Energy Transportation Inc.


Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights (“CCFR”)


Inter Pipeline Polaris Inc.


Bennett Jones LLP


Azimuth Energy Partners and Quantico Capital Corp


Stantec Inc.


420 Investments Inc.


Jason Mann


Mertex Canada Ltd.


RM Corporation, Jianjun Cui, Tao Li, and Loyal Energy (Canada) Operating Ltd.


JMC Jencor Mortgage Corporation, Croft Axsen, Judy Benteau, Northern Premier Capital Inc., Northern Premier Equities Inc., Miwa Weninger, Weninger Properties Inc., and Japanab International Inc.


Digital Commerce Bank (“DCB”)


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Roland Auer in a challenge of the validity of federal Child Support Guidelines, which was advanced to the SCC.
  • Advised in a class action against Calgary Exhibition & Stampede, Calgary Stampede Foundation and Philip Heerema regarding sexual abuse and exploitation of the Class Members.
  • Advised Brown-Forman Corporation, a supplier of single malt Scotch products, in a breach of contract case.

Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright’s Alberta team has a well-established client base including the Canadian government, global corporations and prominent Canadian companies. Practice head Kelly Moffet-Burima is recognised for her work in the construction and energy sectors, particularly in contractual disputes. Clarke Hunter KC maintains a strong position in the market for government-side aboriginal issues and joint ventures, Steve Leitl KC frequently assists in shareholder disputes, and Roger Smith KC has advised in arbitrations and mediations. Other key contacts include Ray Chartier (infrastructure and energy matters), Kaitlin Long (regulatory and environmental matters), and Lara Mason (class actions and aboriginal rights) and Gunnar Benediktsson (restructuring and insolvency). Geoffrey Poelman was promoted to partner in January 2025.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kelly Moffet-Burima


Autres avocats clés:

Clarke Hunter KC; Steve Leitl KC; Roger Smith KC; Kaitlin Long; Lara Mason; Gunnar Benediktsson


Les références

‘The experience in dealing with NRF has been excellent as they are highly qualified and professional. They provide all required information and listen to what you require as a client.’

‘Kelly Moffat-Burima has been excellent to work with as she provides guidance and education throughout the process, so that we are able to determine our course of action with confidence. She is an excellent communicator and is available as needed. She and her associates always keep us updated with the status of all negotiations.’

‘Excellent communication and file management.’

Principaux clients

Chance Oil and Gas Limited (formerly Northern Cross Yukon Ltd.)


Government of Alberta


Government of Canada/Department of Justice Canada


NOVA Chemicals Corporation


Veren Inc.


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing the Government of Canada in several multi-billion-dollar claims related to oil and gas development and production from First Nations’ lands in Alberta and addressing the nature and scope of the Crown’s trust and fiduciary duties to those First Nations.
  • Representing Calgary Co-op in a successful commercial oppression claim against Federated Co-operative.
  • Representing Chance Oil and Gas Limited in a CA$2bn lawsuit against the Yukon government regarding a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing that was implemented in 2015.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP possesses extensive knowledge of the construction, energy and oil and gas industries, and regularly act in shareholders’ and contractual disputes. The team is also well-versed in banking, securities and insolvency. Regional lead Rodney Smith heads the group in Calgary, focusing his practice on construction disputes. Leading the national group, Patricia Morrison KC is rated for her experience in disputes on large-scale commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects. Loni Da Costa is active in securities defence disputes, whilst senior counsel Randall Block KC is recommended for his expertise in energy and oil and gas disputes.

Responsables de la pratique:

Patricia Morrison; Rodney Smith


Autres avocats clés:

Randall Block KC; Loni da Costa


Principaux clients

ITP SA


Signalta Resources Limited


Shoal Point Energy


AltaLink Management Ltd.


AIMCo


Servus Credit Union


Innovative Metals Company Inc.


KUFPEC Canada Inc


Principaux dossiers


Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP

Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP ’s litigation team demonstrates specialism in areas including energy and renewables, class actions and agribusiness. The Calgary-based group is led by Andrew Sunter who focuses on corporate governance and class actions, and Susan Fader has strong experience in domestic and international arbitrations. Jeffrey Sharpe KC is particularly impressive in construction disputes, whilst James Murphy comfortably handles contract disputes and product liability claims. Other active members of the team include Joanne LuuKylan Kidd and Matt Kuhl were promoted to partnership in February 2025, strengthening the firm’s energy and construction litigation offering.

Responsables de la pratique:

Andrew Sunter; Susan Fader


Autres avocats clés:

Jeffrey Sharpe KC; James Murphy; Trevor McDonald; Joanne Luu; Kylan Kidd; Matt Kuhl


Les références

‘BD&P provides technically sound and commercially practical legal advice at very reasonable cost, resulting in BD&P being the best value proposition that we have seen after working with many different law firms on a variety of matters.’

‘The team is competent, collaborative and responsive.’

‘Jeff Sharpe is an active listener, calm, confident and experienced.’

Principaux clients

Christa Steele and Mindy Smith


DIRTT Ltd.


CNOOC Petroleum North America ULC


Ag Growth International Inc.


Whitecap Resources Inc.


Wayne Webster v. The Legal Aid Society of Alberta


Volker Stevin Contracting Ltd


Graham Construction and Engineering LP


Canadian Natural Resources Limited


Cedar LNG Partners LP and Cedar LNG (GP) Ltd.


NE2 Canada Inc


MacuMira Medical Devices Inc.


Krishnan v Jamieson Laboratories Inc. et al


Greenfire Resources Ltd


3105682 Nova Scotia ULC


Robert and Laurene Yurkovich


Northwynd REIT


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted as counsel to the Greenfire Board and Special Committee in a high-profile hostile takeover battle with the Waterous group, involving a CA$327.8m share acquisition.
  • Advised on a national class action on behalf of Canadian residents alleging that certain products were falsely marketed as containing « glucosamine sulfate potassium chloride » when they instead contained a mixture of different substances.
  • Advised on a large pipeline failure case, involving allegations of negligence against Sunstone and Wood Group, the design engineers, and ITP who provided the novel pipe-in-pipe system.

McCarthy Tétrault

Led by Douglas Yoshida KC in Calgary and national practice head Tom Sutton in Toronto, McCarthy Tétrault’s Alberta litigation group stands out for its in-depth knowledge of the energy sector. Yoshida has a longstanding reputation in corporate commercial litigation and has appeared at all levels of court in Alberta. Kara Smyth focuses on the oil and gas and commercial real estate industries, whilst Kara Smyth specializes in pharmaceuticals and agro-sciences matters. Bryan West typically acts in contract, construction and engineering disputes. Laura Gill joined the team from Bennett Jones LLP in December 2024, and Mendy Chernos  departed the firm. Jordan Bierkos was promoted to partner in January 2025.

Responsables de la pratique:

Douglas T. Yoshida KC; Tom Sutton


Autres avocats clés:

Kara Smyth; Sean Smyth KC; Bryan West; Laura Gill


Principaux clients

Altius Renewables Royalties Corp.


Privately held oil company


INEOS Oligomers USA LLC and INEOS Canada Partnership


SNDL Inc.


Jay Quinn, Tyler Patterson, Selina Metez and Margaret Archer


VINCI GeoInfrastructure Limited


Cleaver-Brooks Inc.


GoldenKey Oil Ltd.


Principaux dossiers


Dentons

With a presence in both Calgary and Edmonton, Dentons‘ disputes team has a notable emphasis on corporate commercial litigation, in addition to energy and appellate litigation. Leadership of the Alberta group is shared between three partners: Calgary-based John Cusano, and Wendy N. Moody and Michael Sestito in Edmonton. Sestito leads multi-office litigation teams in infrastructure disputes, whilst Rachel A. Howie is the go-to advisor for arbitrations. Dennis Picco KC offers a wealth of experience in the construction and energy sector, and Gordon Tarnowsky KC is equipped to handle negotiation, mediation and arbitration.

Responsables de la pratique:

John Cusano; Wendy Moody; Michael Sestito


Autres avocats clés:

Rachel Howie; Dennis Picco KC; Gordon Tarnowsky KC


Les références

‘The team is efficient, on the ball, and leads clients along with ease and guidance.’

‘Team is very well-rounded to assist with a full range of issues.’

‘Knowledge and understanding of our business and priorities allows the firm to provide practical advice.’

Principaux clients

Edison S.p.A. and Edison International S.p.A.


Enbridge


Sawridge Trust and the Sawridge Trustees


Acciona


Tilray


Alberta Securities Commission


Ultra Electronics Forensic Technology Inc.


Niko Exploration (Block 9) Ltd.


City of Abbottsford


Principaux dossiers


  • Represents Acciona, a global wastewater infrastructure corporation, in a major litigation against the Greater Vancouver Sewerage & Drainage District following the termination of a contract for a large-scale wastewater treatment plant.
  • Acts for the Sawridge Trustees in long-running, high-stakes litigation concerning the distribution of approximately $70m in trust assets derived from oil and gas revenues for members of the Sawridge First Nation.
  • Acts for Enbridge in litigation stemming from a pipeline strike during construction by a third-party consortium expanding a crude oil line.

Fasken

With expertise in the energy, construction and tech industries, Fasken’s Alberta litigation team has a proven track record in class actions, securities and real estate debates. Practice head Gulu Punia works on a multitude of matters such as shareholder disputes, oppression remedies and breach of contract actions. Karen Wyke balances a busy workload of contract disputes, estate litigation and product liability claims, and Alex Kotkas has appeared before statutory boards, tribunals and courts. With experience of international arbitrations, Arif Chowdhury is another key member of the group.

Responsables de la pratique:

Gulu Punia


Autres avocats clés:

Karen Wyke; Alex Kotkas; Arif Chowdhury


Principaux clients

AECOM Canada Ltd.


Airbus Helicopters Canada Inc.


BMO Nesbitt Burns


Board of Trustees of the ACAW Pension Fund and Board of Trustees of the ACAW Benefits Fund


Cenovus


Canadian Pacific Kansas City


Cathedral Energy Services


Mac’s Convenience Stores Inc.


New Democrats of Canada Association (Federal NDP)


New WEM Holdings Affiliate 1 Ltd. et al.


South Bow


TC Energy


Principaux dossiers


Stikeman Elliott LLP

Stikeman Elliott LLP continues to act in complex and high-stakes litigation in Alberta, with notable specialism in major project and joint venture litigation. The group also has in-depth knowledge of corporate governance, contractual disputes and directors’ and officers’ liability. Michael Mestinsek KC leads the group from Calgary, and is particularly impressive in cases involving shareholder activism, oil and gas, and professional negligence. Matti Lemmens covers domestic and international litigation, arbitration and mediation, whilst Geoffrey Holub’s primary focus is on construction and manufacturer’s liability.

Responsables de la pratique:

Michael Mestinsek KC


Autres avocats clés:

Matti Lemmens; Geoffrey Holub


Principaux clients

Alberta Lawyers Indemnity Association (ALIA)


Berkshire Hathaway Energy Canada


BP Canada Energy Company


ConocoPhillips Canada


Dow Chemical


Exchanger Industries


Arcadis / IBI Group


Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Canada, Ltd.


Qualex Landmark Properties


Veolia Water Technologies


Principaux dossiers


DLA Piper (Canada) LLP

The Alberta branch of DLA Piper (Canada) LLP represents global clients in trials, hearings and appeals, with particular expertise in disputes in the energy sector. Matters involving environmental and aboriginal law are frequently handled by the group. Heather Treacy KC co-leads the team from Calgary, alongside David Foulds in Toronto. Whilst Treacy has extensive experience in energy disputes and class actions, Patrick Roche focuses his practice on disputes in the electricity industry. Jordan Deering is active in matters related to fraud, corruption and white collar crime.

Responsables de la pratique:

Heather Treacy KC; David Foulds


Autres avocats clés:

Patrick Roche; Jordan Deering


Principaux clients

Kehewin Cree Nation


Thunderchild First Nation


NXL Technologies Inc.


Imperial Oil Resources Limited


Salzgitter Mannesmann Stainless Tubes USA, Inc.


Canadian Western Trust Company


Balancing Pool


Doyle Salewski Inc.


ATB Financial


Cantak Corporation


KSV Restructuring Inc., in its capacity as court appointed receiver and manager of Productivity Media Income Fund I LP and its general partner, Productivity Media Inc.


Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. and Bristol Myers Squibb Company


Principaux dossiers


  • Defended Canadian Western Trust Company (“CWT”)‎ in a complex commercial dispute related to registered retirement savings ‎plan commenced by over 130 plaintiffs.
  • Defended the Balancing pool in relation to appealing a decision by the Court of Queen’s ‎Bench in which ‎that Court failed to set ‎aside ‎an arbitral award on the basis of breaches of ‎natural justice.  ‎
  • Defended Salzgitter Mannesmann Stainless Tubes USA, Inc. (“Salzgitter”)‎ in a products liability claim that involves very technical issues associated ‎with a piece of equipment (pipes) alleged to have caused a shut-down in the operations of ‎the Plaintiff’s (Suncor) oil and gas business. ‎

Lawson Lundell LLP

With strength in commercial, securities and corporate litigation, the disputes team at Lawson Lundell LLP acts for a range of energy clients in Alberta. The group also has notable proficiency in arbitration, shareholder disputes and class action defence. At the helm of the practice, Shannon Hayes KC is sought out for her advice on contractual and tort matters by clients in the energy, power and real estate industries. Calgary-based Michael Donaldson KC stands out for his work in arbitration, commercial litigation and appellate advocacy.

Responsables de la pratique:

Shannon Hayes KC


Autres avocats clés:

Michael Donaldson KC


Principaux clients

TransAlta Corporation


Savanna Energy Services


Remington Development Corporation


Pieridae Energy Limited


PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.


Domain Mortgage Corp.


Jeffrey Buck, JMB Investco (CAN) LP, Westward Partners LLC, Erik Tolzmann, Robert Andrew Baldridge, Andrew J. Trevoy, Eugene Buck, and Blake Araki


Prairie Thunder Resources


Canamax Energy


The Residual Beneficiaries of the Estate of Robert Ward


The OKR Group of Companies and Investment Funds


Direct Energy Marketing Ltd.


Principaux dossiers


Miller Thomson

The commercial litigation team at Miller Thomson covers class actions, construction litigation and shareholder disputes in Alberta, with experience in all levels of Canadian courts. Deb Curcio Lister leads the group from Edmonton, specializing in corporate commercial litigation, insurance coverage and defence matters, and trusts and estates litigation. From the Calgary office, Patrick Fitzpatrick provides clients with advice on contractual disputes and intellectual property litigation. Scott Hammel KC has a strong pedigree in industrial and infrastructure construction impact disputes.

Responsables de la pratique:

Deb Curcio Lister


Autres avocats clés:

Patrick Fitzpatrick; Scott Hammel KC


Les références

‘Good depth of talent on the construction team, particularly in the Calgary office. The team has good strength throughout their line-up, from the senior partner level, through the mid and junior partner level, as well as associates.’

‘Scott Hammel leads the team and is a top tier construction litigator. He is very thorough, detail oriented, creative, and practices with high ethics. He is well-respected in the market by both clients and counsel.’

Principaux clients

Majority shareholder group/former directors of Caravan Trailer Lodges of Alberta Ltd. (“Caravan”)


PricewaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”)


Taber Water Disposal Inc.


BAUER Foundations Canada Inc.


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted in matter concerning the governance of Caravan, a reporting issuer in Alberta. A dissident shareholder group brought an oppression claim against the board and former board members, who were also the majority shareholders in Caravan.
  • Represented the receiver, PricewaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”), in a successful application for advice and direction in relation to a complicated receivership arising as a result of a large number of vehicle transactions alleged to be fraudulent.
  • Acted as counsel for Taber Water Disposal Inc. in the filing of  the proposal; both Taber Water Disposal and Luxur Resources Inc. in the Taber transaction; and to Luxur Resources Inc. in its sale of certain assets to Environmental 360 Solutions Ltd.