Alberta

The Calgary office of Bennett Jones is its historical headquarters and, while its operations across Canada have blossomed (and includes another, smaller, office in Edmonton), the firm remains a consistent key legacy player in this particular city. “Bennett Jones used to have all the ‘A clients’ in the Calgary market and, while other firms have since moved in and clients have spread out more, Bennett Jones still hangs on to some exclusive relationships. They are a steady and meaningful presence in the market, still attract premium work and have great people. Munaf Mohamed in particular attracts great clients.” Mohamed, a routinely acknowledged “trial warrior” who “doesn’t suffer fools,” led a multi-office team in representing a group of Saudi companies in advancing one of the largest fraud claims in Canada against a high-ranking former Minister of Cabinet in the former Saudi government who is alleged, along with a number of close family and friends, of embezzling a massive amount of money and moving it into various offshore havens and who, once stripped of his titles and position, fled to Canada. A worldwide freezing order has been obtained against the Minister, together with various other extraordinary orders. “It’s worth mentioning,” insists one peer, “that Munaf doesn’t just do fraud work anymore! He can lead pretty much any file, and he could do this in Toronto as well as Calgary.” Another frequently championed trial lawyer, Blair Yorke-Slader, continues to act for Dow Chemical in an action against NOVA Chemicals Corporation for damages arising from NOVA's operation of a co-owned Alberta-based ethylene plant. This long-running and hotly contested saga found the matter remanded to the trial court by the Court of Appeal, relating to severance of certain contractual provisions by reason of illegality of performance. The case proceeded to a hearing in November 2024. Also acting on this case, Bruce Mellett is cheered for his “understated workhorse” approach. “Bruce doesn’t get as much press and he doesn’t seek it, but he deserves it,” insists a peer. “You want dogged and rigorous work without the bluster? You go to him.” Another actor on this case, Ciara Mackey is one singled out by peers. “She’s in the opinions practice, and if I could have her work on every one of my files, I would. She writes how you think. She is the brains – you know you’re in good hands with her.” A peer also insists, “Kelsey Meyer has really risen up, she was always great with insolvency, but she has really become one of the top names in town. Keep an eye on her. The court commended her on her exceptional application. She has moved up into the category vacated by Ken Lenz and Chris Simard. She is leading a large dissolution that wound up in court.”

Borden Ladner Gervais’ Calgary office is particularly noted for its construction practice, largely focused on the energy industry. “In construction, we see BLG a lot, particularly on the higher-end arbitrations,” notes a peer. The construction group is led by Patricia “Trish” Morrison, who took the baton from Calgary construction luminary Jeff Vallis, who has since retired. Peers also note, “In class actions, Loni da Costa steps in and has done a fantastic job there.”

     The firm acts for ITP, a pipe-in-pipe technology company based in France. The plaintiff, CNOOC Petroleum North America, filed a Statement of Claim against a number of parties including ITP alleging breach of contract and negligence related to a pipeline failure in Northern Alberta. The pipeline failure resulted in approximately five million liters of bitumen being released into the environment. The value of this matter is over C$700 million. Andrew Pozzobon provides the trial lead, while Peter Banks leads in the appellate capacity.

Calgary’s Burnet Duckworth & Palmer enjoys a historic reputation in the market while at the same time keeping an eye on the future, boasting an array of cutting-edge work attended to by an increasingly younger group of litigators. Clients have turned out to the champion the firm’s cause; one testifies, “They know the law. Burnet Duckworth went to great efforts In order to understand the circumstances and complexities of our dispute.” Another confirms, “I use other firms, but I prefer Burnet Duckworth, as they allow me to be more involved with the process and they seemed to me more structured, in an easier-to-follow manner. The firm is typically more responsive and has a greater bench strength given the comparative size, and their advice is typically more practical and commercially savvy.” A peer also insists, “You have to do oil-and-gas work in Calgary, and of course that includes Burnet Duckworth, but they have also done a good job of diversifying beyond energy in a way gives them a nice balance and a hedge against downturns or other market disruptions.”
     Jeff Sharpe, long a key figure and driving force in the firm’s group, is championed by peers for his all-purpose commercial litigation prowess. “Jeff is the main senior strength in that group. I’m against him right now, and he is as good as it gets,” asserts a peer, voicing the consensus of several others. Sharpe leads a team, which includes Andrew Sunter, Robert Martz and Susan Fader, representing CNOOC Petroleum North America in a case involving a significant pipeline failure near the one of the client’s facilities. The claim involves allegations of negligence against the design engineers and the providers of the novel pipe-in-pipe system. “This case is massive,” confirms a peer. “Jeff Sharpe is one of the best in Calgary but, as good as he is, even he couldn’t handle this on his own. But he’s got a crack team working with on that. I know all of them, and they are all proving their worth.” Paul Chiswell represents the representative plaintiff in a national class action commenced in British Columbia on behalf of residents of Canada alleging that numerous manufacturers and retailers sold products labelled as containing “glucosamine sulfate”, “glucosamine sulfate potassium chloride”, “glucosamine sulfate KCL”, or “glucosamine sulfate • KCL”, when they contained no glucosamine sulfate. James Murphy is cheered by a client for his skills and persona. “He has an excellent demeanor, and he was easy for me to work. He is very knowledgeable about the law and has outstanding integrity.”

Calgary’s Carbert Waite makes an entry into this year’s Benchmark Canada edition on the strength of peer recognition for its various litigation services, primarily focused on the health law space but also noted to be diversifying and occupying a more mid-market niche than many other local shops. “They do health law, and they are excellent with that,” testifies one Calgary peer. “There’s a guy over there named Curtis Marble, and he’s a good guy, extremely reasonable, hard working, and because he’s in that mid space, he can attract some work that wouldn’t go to one of the big firms.” Another peer attests, “Curtis Marble is extremely intelligent and able to move between a number of different spaces. I think he’s fantastic and has been trying to work to grow their litigation group a bit. He has experience in these injunctions matters.”

International legal juggernaut Dentons maintains a formidable Alberta footprint through its Calgary and Edmonton locations and is somewhat unique in the sense that it is noted to have equal litigation horsepower in both offices. These two offices also attend to work that demonstrates the firm’s muscle on the international stage. Calgary’s co-head of litigation Gord Tarnowsky has made a notable mark in the international arbitration arena as of late. Tarnowsky represents Niko, a claimant in two ICSID arbitration proceedings seeking payment for gas delivered to Bangladesh Oil and Gas Mineral Corporation and seeking a declaration, with respect to liability, as well as any compensation payable to Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration & Production Company Limited arising from two gas well blowouts in Bangladesh. Tarnowsky is also acting for Niko in an Alberta action in which its relief well contractor has sought indemnification from Niko, with respect to the claims made in the Bangladeshi suit. In February 2019 a decision issued by the Tribunals found Dentons was successful in arguing against the respondents’ claims of corruption. Tarnowsky also represents two Italian companies in a claim involving a joint venture offshore from the Falkland Islands, alleging breaches of contract and copyright, amongst other accusations. In the Edmonton office, Dennis Picco is a noted standout, with a practice that comprises elements of construction, professional liability, insurance, arbitration and even intellectual property work. Picco represents pipeline entity Enbridge as a plaintiff in a case against a pipeline expansion construction consortium that was constructing an expansion to a crude oil pipeline and also crossing Enbridge’s pipeline. During the crossing exercise the construction contractor altered the agreed-to crossing process and struck one of Enbridge’s pipelines.

Field Law is one of Alberta’s few independent shops, operating through one office each in Calgary and Edmonton, with bench strength distributed evenly between the two offices. Field is especially touted for its insurance, construction and labor and employment capacities. One Calgary peer confirms, “Field is pretty much the go-to for litigation claims related to insurance. They have built their reputation on that work and it’s paid off for them.” The firm is a favorite with its loyal clients. One extols, “They are professional, very courteous and hard working. The whole team is very good at analyzing, evaluating and negotiating claims.” Edmonton insurance practitioner Sharon Stefanyk stands out to clients as “superb in all areas. [She is an] Expert at negotiations and has a real handle on evidence.” Calgary-based Robert Rakochey manages a multi-faceted practice that largely focuses on the construction industry. A client testifies, “Robert assisted us in a matter in which we were trying to get a partner removed and he did an excellent job.”

Calgary boutique JSS Barristers continues to enjoy a maverick model that allows it the flexibility to take on class-action work in both the plaintiff and defense capacities and a broad range of commercial, bankruptcy and professional liability work, with a good deal of it falling outside of typical oil-and-gas industry matters that drive much of the work for local firms, many of whom turn to JSS for soliciting conflict work. “JSS Is my go-to firm for matters that I cannot act on at my firm and will also be my first choice for insurance counsel,” declares a Calgary contemporary and frequent referral source. “All practitioners who I have worked with at JSS are excellent! They have kept me informed about the status of proceedings and have been very strategic about how to proceed at each stage of a matter. In almost all cases, that strategic advice has delivered the expected results and has helped move the matter towards an early resolution. They are thoughtful and excellent lawyers, and specifically in relation to insurance counsel, have been very considerate and understanding of the potential for stress after a claim has been made against a practitioner/firm.”
     Peers stand unanimous in their recognition of, and support for, Andrew Wilson. “Andrew is clearly ‘the next guy,’” confirms a peer. “He’s known around town and shows up on a lot of stuff.” The same peer takes care to stress, “That’s not to say the ‘old guard’ like Carsten Jensen and Glenn Solomon are not still working hard. Carsten is doing a lot of arbitration, both as counsel and as a neutral. Glenn is a tough, aggressive lawyer who makes you feel it when you’re against him. You’re not just going to waltz through the litigation with him.” Solomon acts with Stacy Petriuk representing dissenting shareholders in the resulting hearing to determine fair value for the shares in a “dissent-rights action” under the Alberta Business Corporations Act arising following a hostile takeover bid. Robert Hawkes, a class-actions-focused partner, is cheered by a client as “[an] excellent lawyer and strategic thinker. [He is] Very alive to the circumstances of the matter and gives very solid advice that is explained well.”

Lawson Lundell’s Calgary location is newer and smaller than it’s Vancouver flagship, although not by much, and has earned the reverence of peers and clients alike. “They provided advice regarding a longstanding conflict among joint-venture participants, including representation in an arbitration process and advice regarding settlement negotiations, which are currently ongoing,” confirms one client. “They support a dual track approach, supporting the litigation track planning and the negotiation track planning in a collaborative fashion. I am very happy with their service and their people.” The team in this office was recently amplified by a group that decamped from a provincial firm and have acted with aplomb on establishing Lawson as a meaningful market presence on the strength of some key institutional relationships. “That group quickly entrenched itself in this city and came into their own,” observes a peer. Chief among these is Mike Donaldson, who “has really done well with managing that important TransAlta work.” Among several other mandates, Donaldson acts for this client on an action concerning an agreement with the Province of Alberta, dating to the 1960s, for the development of a hydroelectric dam, pursuant to which the Province promised to not grant mineral rights in or adjacent to the dam lands except on such terms that will not restrict or in any way interfere with the dam’s operation or safety. The litigation, valued at roughly $350 million, was brought by TransAlta against the Province in 2022 after the Province failed to prevent third-party producers from pursuing hydraulic fracking activity as part of their mineral exploration, in violation of the agreement. The matter was moved to mediation. Shannon Hayes also worked with Donaldson on this matter, and this pair also worked with Grant Vogeli in acting for Remington Development in the appellate stage of its continued litigation with Canadian Pacific Railway, who, it was determined via the ruling of a trial, had breached its contract to sell a parcel of downtown development land to Remington and sold the land to the Province of Alberta instead. The court awarded Remington $163 million, a decision that Canadian Pacific appealed. The argument was heard in September 2024. Vogeli is noted by peers to be “one of the only partners at Lawson and, and also in all of Calgary, do be doing work not related to oil and gas.” Shannon Wray and Shailaz Dhalla act for TransAlta in another matter concerning the client’s entitlement to its proportionate decommissioning costs on two properties pursuant to the Power Purchase Arrangements Regulation. The client seeks to recover $75 million by way of a final order from the Alberta Utilities Commission for forecasted decommissioning costs. Wray is championed by one client as “an absolute pleasure to work with and well informed about the business and the law.” Another asserts, “Shannon provides excellent advice, knowledgeable and timely responses, and advice that takes business considerations into account.” Marika Strobl is also a favorite among clients. One testifies, “She cares, and she engages fully with us in what is a very messy situation.” Two younger stars, Alexis Teasdale and Jonathan Selnes, are also developing a strong local following. One contemporary quips, “If you’ll pardon my language, Alexis and Jon work their asses off and are so good. They must be recognized more!” Teasdale is noted for a burgeoning insolvency niche, and Selnes’ practice encompasses commercial, construction, estates, insurance and class actions.

Calgary litigation boutique Peacock Linder Halt & Mack operates in a unique space in the market, carving itself a coveted position as a recipient of “premium” work. “Peacock Linder is always busy, and the size of the disputes they’re handling seem bigger and they seem more fractious and difficult to resolve than the work some other firms deal with,” offers a peer. Another affirms, “Peacock Linder is in the SWEET SPOT! In the Alberta economy, everyone is in the restructuring business, dealing with restructuring commitments, contracts, etc. They have become a necessary adjunct to this with litigation – the demand for their business has skyrocketed. With all of the consolidation going on in the legal field, bigger firms are being conflicted more than they ever were, and so the work is coming to firms like Peacock. They have a specialty – sophisticated oil-and-gas litigation.”

     Peter Linder is known in the Calgary community as “a pit bull,” with one peer and former opponent going on to elaborate, “If you’re up against him, you’d better be ready and you’d better be energized. He’s going to put you through the paces, you have to struggle to keep up.” Ed Halt maintains an emphasis on professional liability representation, directors’ and officers’ representation, corporate commercial litigation, securities litigation and franchise litigation. He also has regularly practiced in the areas of insurance law, insolvency, construction and product liability litigation. “Ed is a more measured litigator but very effective and not to be underestimated,” warns a peer. Mylène Tiessen, who joined the firm in 2008 from what is now Dentons, focuses on commercial litigation and professional liability for corporate and individual clients, as well as acting on administrative proceedings defending individuals before independent tribunals and acting as counsel to tribunals. Perry Mack, increasingly in demand as an arbitrator as well as one of Calgary’s most respected counsel, continues to be a peer favorite. “I’m on for TD on a kickback-scheme case,” testifies one peer, “and whenever it’s Perry that I have to deal with, it’s a pleasure. He gives me a run for my money when I try to be the most reasonable person in the room.” Emi Bossio also continues to be a favorite of the legal community. “Emi is on the other side of those international arbitrations, and I think she will be looking forward to getting back into that game in a big way.”

Rose is a Calgary boutique that saw its genesis in 2013 when a group of partners departed international conglomerate Dentons to establish their own litigation shop. In the eyes of peers, this bold gambit has more than paid off. “The Rose group are some of the brightest stars from Dentons’ Calgary litigation bench,” confirm one peer. “That was a REALLY good move that those people made going out on their own. They just are kicking ass all over the place. I deal with them on a lot of work, and they get a ton of other work as well.” Still another peer speculates in agreement, “I think Rose is turning away work at this point! They are just growing organically and developing a great space in this market, satisfying the need for high-end commercial litigation.” The firm is especially celebrated for its construction and infrastructure work, particularly pertaining to the energy industry and, buoyed by vibrant peer review, ascends into the “highly recommended” category in this edition.

Firm namesake James Rose is confirmed by peers to be “as active as ever. He does lots of commercial and insurance work, and has done every type of case that’s ever been done. He’s doing an IP case in Newfoundland dealing with the information on deposits of offshore oil, with issues dealing with the alleged wrongful acquisition of this information from the government.” Speaking to Rose’s magnetism, one peer offers in summation, “Jim was the guy that everybody knew in Calgary, the one in the middle of the wheel that connected everyone.” While Rose and fellow former Dentons alumnus Lowell Westersund have historically been the firm’s most visible litigators, peers also insist, “You need to take a closer look at Jane Sidnell. She is first-class and is someone who would be well-respected and recognized in this field.” By way of elaboration, another peer offers, “I had an eight-month-long construction file with Jane and she was excellent.” David Wachowich is considered “one of the leaders of the insurance bar. He’s had a long-standing relationship with the insurers in London.” Phillip Scheibel earns near-unanimous rave reviews as “a true leading force there, one who is a prime example of Rose’s strategic recruitment and growth strategy.” Managing partner Matthew Lindsay is another peer favorite, with one such peer confirming, “We were co-experts on a file in Australia and I found him to be very impressive and easy to work with.” Another raves, “You will hear GREAT FEEDBACK about Matt Lindsay. He has a humble nature – he’s from Saskatchewan! – but should not fly under the radar! He’s great, he’s a QC.” Brian Foster acts for a major investment dealer in an investigation by Securities Commissions of its entire business and compliance practices. He also acts for an investment fund in a fair-value claim arising from the exercise of dissent rights on an amalgamation. Foster also acts for an oil and gas company advancing a claim against an investment dealer that terminated a bought deal financing, resulting in significant losses to the company.

Stikeman’s Calgary office, while substantially smaller than the firm’s Eastern operations, consists of two partners, Mike Mestinsek and Geoffrey Holub, who both have a dedicated client following. Mestinsek is called “a practical, aggressive, problem solver” by a client, who goes on to confirm, “Mike is exceptionally responsive and has presence. He is appropriately aggressive and mindful of strategy/tactics that will work for the given party and issue. He is great at identifying the right resource to assist.” Another client offers a particularly glowing and fulsome review:, “Mike is a gifted litigator who also excels at the customer service side of the business. Mike learned the complexity of the business and our underlying contracts.  He managed each step of our litigation extremely well and communicated to us in a timely and detailed manner.  Mike effectively managed a difficult counterparty extremely well - both their corporate representative and their lead counsel. He handled himself with professionalism all the time, even though it might have been challenging to do that at during many stressful times. Mike also did a great job supporting a parallel path of settlement discussions, at the right time, and giving honest views on pros/cons of all facets our case and the possible path of litigation.” Holub is not without his fans as well. “Geoff is very experienced and practical, plus he’s also very courteous, in a way that is not always the case with other litigators I’ve been involved with.” Holub provided Calgary counsel on the aforementioned matter for Teck. The Calgary office is also in growth mode; this year the firm lured Matti Lemmens, a versatile younger litigator with a swiftly rising profile, to its bench from another national firm.