Lauded by one client for its ‘excellence in rail law and the Canadian Transportation Act’, the practice group at DLA Piper is a strong choice for a range of rail and road transport mandates. Core areas of expertise include railway regulatory matters, railway safety and security mandates, contract negotiation and all related litigation. The group is routinely instructed by terminals, governments, short-line railways and passenger railways, as well as companies in the logistics, finance and natural resources segments. Following the March 2024 retirement of ex-practice co-head Forrest Hume, the department is directed by Vancouver-based John Landry KC, who specializes in civil and regulatory litigation involving transportation, international trade and energy. Also in Vancouver, associate Taryn Urquhart majors on advising government entities and private sector clients on the regulatory requirements applicable to railways.

The practice group at McCarthy Tétrault is regularly instructed by railway operators, warehousers and governmental stakeholders seeking assistance with a range of advisory, transactional and contentious mandates. The team has a track record representing the Canadian National Railway Company in various disputes before the courts and the Canadian Transportation Agency. Leadership of the group is shared between Quebec City-based Brian Lipson and David Blair, who splits his time between Quebec City and Montreal. Lipson specializes in M&A, commercial agreements, regulatory compliance and litigation; Blair majors on international transportation, safety standards regulation, carriers’ liability and trade-related issues.

The practice group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is equipped to handle financing, regulatory matters, transactions and litigation involving road and rail transportation, for which it is frequently instructed by national and regional railway companies, urban transit authorities, contractors and operators. The department is directed by Toronto-based litigators Robin Squires and Robert Love, along with Vancouver-based Dionysios Rossi, who specializes in transportation and shipping matters, as well as environmental and energy law.

Dentons' transport group is frequently instructed by private sponsors, public authorities, lenders, design-build contractors and operations and maintenance providers seeking advice on a range of road, rail and public transit mandates. The team has experience advising on trucking and rail regulations, cargo claims and the development of transportation infrastructure. The practice is directed by Toronto-based Michael Ledgett, who specializes in corporate and commercial law, corporate governance, M&A and air, bus, port, rail, transit and trucking work. Marina Sampson left the firm in February 2024.