Alberta

Firm overview

BLG is widely recognized as Canada’s foremost litigation law firm, with a national team of more than 400 advocates helping clients with everything from appellate advocacy to trade disputes.

• More than 400 advocates
• 500+ trials, arbitrations, tribunal hearings
• Defended 100s of class actions
• 32 specialty areas
• 2022 Benchmark Highly Recommended Firm in all of our regions
• 2022 Benchmark Insurance Firm of the Year
• 2021 and 2022 Benchmark Health Law/Medical Firm of the Year
• Offices in Canada’s 5 largest cities
• Bilingual in English and French
• Celebrating 200 years in 2023

When the stakes are highest, organizations from across Canada and around the world trust us to help solve their problems. From claims that interrupt day-to-day activities to bet-the-company litigation, we understand the issues that keep our clients up at night, using this knowledge as the foundation for responsive, strategic and practical advice. Complex, precedent-setting, novel cases in specialized areas of the law - particularly when they make it to the Supreme Court - are how we’ve built our reputation. We use this experience to advocate for the best outcomes for organizations of all sizes, from tech start-ups defending their IP to global automakers facing a class action. We use mediation, arbitration and eDiscovery technology, when appropriate, to increase efficiency and decrease cost. We are smart, resourceful, creative, driven, humble and always civil.

We are the external partner that feels like part of the in-house team. And clients never get just one of us -because behind every BLG advocate is the most powerful group of litigators and legal staff in Canada.

Firm overview

The world is changing, and it’s happening faster than ever. Businesses and people are adapting, but nobody can do it alone. Maybe it’s easier for us to keep up because we’ve always been nimble and brought creative thinking to the way we practise law.

BD&P is a full-service boutique law firm headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Our approximately 120 lawyers are bright, deeply talented legal minds who work on a broad spectrum of corporate and litigation matters, sitting across the table from national and international firms. Our clients live a variety of sectors, including energy, renewables, agribusiness, technology and life sciences.

We are not just legal advisors, we are true partners. We’ve been called unconventional, and we think that makes us better partners to our clients for now — and for the future.

What we do:

Alternative Dispute Resolution: We are seasoned in alternative dispute resolution practices, regularly appearing as counsel in international and domestic arbitrations and judicial dispute resolutions. When our clients’ require dispute resolution outside of the traditional court process, we draw upon our experience to assist them in determining the best course of action to resolve their issues.

Class Actions: BD&P has considerable experience in all aspects of Canadian and U.S. class actions, representing clients in a broad range of commercial class actions. We navigate the procedural complexities unique to class action litigation and guide clients expertly through the process, from early negotiated settlement to trial.

Commercial Litigation: We have a wealth of experience handling complex commercial litigation in a wide range of business disputes. Our lawyers regularly appear before all levels of Alberta’s Courts, the courts of other provincial jurisdictions, the Federal Court and the Supreme Court of Canada. Mindful of the cost and time involved in litigation, we seek to find efficient and negotiated solutions to our clients’ disputes.

Construction Litigation: Our team advises clients in all aspects of industrial, commercial and institutional construction project disputes, which often involve complex, multifaceted issues with multiple parties. We act on disputes of varying size and complexity, whilst maintaining a focused, results-oriented approach.

Employment Litigation: Our team has appeared before all levels of Court in Western Canada, the Federal Court of Canada, and before administrative tribunals, including in relation to labour relations, human rights, workers’ compensation, employment standards, OH&S and privacy. Such litigation includes wrongful dismissal, breach of restrictive covenants, and human rights related litigation.

Energy Litigation: BD&P has extensive experience in a vast range of energy-related disputes, from traditional energy to renewables. The disputes team works with the commercial energy lawyers to provide all the resources needed to resolve energy disputes.

Estate Litigation: We focus on the resolution of contentious matters relating to wills, trusts and the administration of complex estates, mindful of the impact that litigation can have on family relationships. Our lawyers understand the challenges unique to estate litigation, and strive to assist beneficiaries and trustees in avoiding and resolving claims through effective guidance and advice.

IP and Technology Litigation: We protect and assert our clients’ best interests when disputes arise from the misuse or misappropriation of their intellectual property. Whether through litigation, arbitration or mediation of these disputes, we provide tailored advice to meet our clients’ objectives.

Securities Litigation: The team provides advice and representation in all areas of securities and corporate litigation before the provincial securities commissions, the major Canadian stock exchanges and the Courts. We are experienced in representing public and private companies, minor and major shareholders, boards of directors, investment dealers, brokers and senior management, providing them with strategic advice on securities law and other related matters.

Tax Litigation: We cover all stages of the tax litigation process, including negotiations with appropriate authorities, the provision of opinions, dealing with compliance issues, and appearances before the Tax Court of Canada, the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal. Our lawyers also appear in the Court of King’s Bench on provincial income tax matters, for rectification orders and other declaratory judgements.

Firm overview

Jensen Shawa Solomon Duguid Hawkes LLP (known as “JSS Barristers”) is a distinguished litigation firm known for providing high-quality trial representation and advocacy across multiple industries and practice areas, including general corporate & commercial litigation matters, construction claims, oil & gas disputes, data & privacy protection, arbitration & mediations, and class-action suits on both the plaintiff and defendant sides.

JSS Barristers is consistently recognized by peers and clients alike for our bench strength and experience in handling complex litigation matters. Of particular note is the wide variety of files that are handled by our lawyers. From class actions arising out of privacy and data breaches to multiple high-value arbitration and litigation matters, our lawyers can draw upon a broad experience base to find the best solution for our clients in all industries.

Our lawyers have appeared at all levels of court in Alberta and Canada, as well as before various regulatory bodies such as the Alberta Securities Commission and the Law Society of Alberta.

In addition to litigation, the firm also boasts extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution. Multiple partners within the firm are admitted fellows to the UK-based Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and are consistently called upon to adjudicate as sole arbitrator, panel member and panel chair.

The office of JSS Barrister is home to a state-of-the-art arbitration room, complete with video recording capabilities and private breakout rooms, providing the necessary amenities and services to accommodate the needs of all parties involved. JSS Barristers takes great pride in the reputation that we have earned in the legal community in the form of work referrals. Our referrals come from a variety of sources: former clients have been valuable advocates for us when they know someone in need, as well as conflicted-out lawyers who entrust us with the well-being of their clients.

Firm overview

Bennett Jones is consistently recognized for its expertise in domestic and cross-border litigation. The firm is known for its uncompromising strength in the areas of competition and antitrust, securities, class actions, energy, commercial, intellectual property, fraud, construction, restructuring/insolvency, employment, health, and professional negligence litigation and has prominent practitioners in alternate dispute resolution, including international commercial arbitration. We are committed to working with our clients to develop an effective and cost-efficient strategy to identify and achieve their unique goals in the prosecution and defense of business disputes.

With more than 100 lawyers practicing commercial litigation nationally, Bennett Jones litigators have significant experience in all aspects of dispute resolution, and have leading reputations before courts and tribunals. We represent some of Canada's largest corporations, including energy producers, and technology and telecommunications companies, and are skilled in conducting commercial arbitrations, including those involving issues in the oil and gas, mining and construction industries. Our litigation practice is supported by the considerable strength of our appellate advocacy and judicial review practice which provides clients and referring counsel with specialized and strategic advice on all aspects of cases on appeal or under judicial review.

We are frequently retained by major domestic and international corporations in the defense of class actions. Representing parties at every stage of the lawsuit, from pre-certification motions and applications through to trial, we bring to each phase coordinated strategies and effective communications to streamline the litigation process. We also advise clients on mitigating their class action risk and proactively monitor trends in prospective class action developments.

Recognizing that many disputes are settled prior to trial, our commercial and technical expertise provides another valuable set of skills to the negotiation and settlement of litigation. Our team approach ensures that we provide the most timely, effective and innovative support to our clients. Our lawyers' reputations, contributions to Canadian case law, and distinguished history of service have resulted in top rankings in all major legal directories for many of our litigators, in a multitude of litigation practice areas.

Firm Culture:

Bennett Jones reflects the integrity and professional excellence of the firm’s Founding Partners. After more than 100 years of service, the firm has produced some of Canada’s most accomplished legal and business leaders, fostering values that established it as one of Canada’s most successful business law firms. The firm prides itself on offering clients innovative, strategic and forward-thinking approaches to their most complex legal and regulatory challenges and opportunities. Bennett Jones promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment where mutual respect and independent thought lead client and colleague interactions. Bennett Jones is proud to have been recognized for 23 consecutive years as one of Canada’s Best Employers.