Bennett Jones LLP's disputes capabilities in Alberta take in commercial litigation involving the energy, mining, tech and construction segments, in addition to shareholder disputes, securities litigation, bankruptcy litigation, professional negligence claims and arbitration. The team regularly appears before all levels of Canadian courts, as well as boards and arbitration tribunals. The group is co-directed by Christine Plante, who specializes in employment litigation and fraud recovery, and Mike Theroux, who focuses on arbitration and energy-sector disputes. Additional key contacts include Blair Yorke-Slader KC (energy litigation, contract, shareholder, partnership and securities disputes); Munaf Mohamed KC (international fraud, energy and product liability matters); Michael Mysak (securities litigation, shareholder disputes and fraud litigation); Laura Gill (joint venture and partnership disputes, ownership disputes); and Kelsey Meyer (commercial disputes, with a focus on bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring matters).

The practice group at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is well-versed in arbitration, as well as energy, white-collar crime, securities, insurance, employment and insolvency litigation. The team routinely represents clients before trial and appellate courts, tribunals and government agencies. The practice is co-directed by Calgary-based Renee Reichelt and Michael Dixon. Reichelt majors on class actions, shareholder disputes, patent infringement, and banking, securities, oil and gas and environmental litigation. Dixon focuses his practice on energy and natural resources disputes. Additional names to note include David Tupper (takeover litigation, and construction, insurance, environmental, and oil and gas litigation); and Brendan MacArthur-Stevens (commercial litigation and advising clients on constitutional and administrative law matters).

Calgary litigation boutique JSS Barristers specializes in commercial litigation, appellate work, administrative law matters and construction, real estate and securities litigation. In addition, the team is well-versed in arbitration and mediation, routinely acting as counsel, arbitrator and mediator. Senior partner Glenn Solomon KC steers the group and specializes in shareholder and business disputes, oil and gas litigation, and regulatory proceedings. Additional key contacts include Carsten Jensen KC (commercial class actions, oil and gas disputes, shareholder disputes, arbitration); Sabri Shawa KC (arbitration, mediation, litigation); and managing partner Kajal Ervin (class actions and commercial arbitrations). The name to note at counsel level is Cassandra Sutter, who majors on corporate and commercial litigation, professional negligence matters and real estate litigation.

The ‘exceptionally strong’ disputes practice group at Norton Rose Fulbright has experience handling a wide range of disputes, among them contractual disputes, joint ventures, securities litigation and shareholder matters. Professional liability matters, insurance litigation and environmental cases are additional areas of expertise. The department is directed by Calgary-based Kelly Moffet-Burima, who is lauded as ‘highly practical’ and who specializes in contractual disputes in both the energy and construction sectors. Additional key litigators include Clarke Hunter KC; the ‘hard-working, practical and bright’ Steve Leitl KC; Roger Smith KC (oil and gas and securities litigation); Ray Chartier (infrastructure and energy litigation); Kaitlin Long (energy, regulatory and environmental compliance matters, Indigenous law issues); Lara Mason, praised for her ‘strong analytical skills’; and Gunnar Benediktsson (commercial litigation and insolvency matters).

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP's disputes capabilities in Alberta take in litigation and arbitration for disputes involving the construction, energy, transportation, financial services and real estate segments. A recent work highlight saw the group represent Alberta Health Services in litigation in connection with the award of a contract for fixed wing air ambulance services in the province of Alberta. Practice head Rodney Smith specializes in commercial litigation, contractual disputes and negligence claims. Additional key contacts include Patricia Morrison KC (commercial, industrial and infrastructure disputes); Randall Block KC (energy and oil and gas litigation); and Loni da Costa (securities defence, oil and gas and intellectual property disputes).

Calgary-headquarted firm Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP provides clients from a range of sectors litigation and arbitration representation in oil and gas, renewables, construction and agribusiness-related disputes. The practice is co-led by Susan Fader, who specializes in contract and tort-based disputes, including the representation of clients in partnership and shareholder disputes; and Andrew Sunter, who majors on commercial, construction, energy and securities litigation, as well as corporate governance issues. Also noted are Jeffrey Sharpe KC (construction, insurance and oil and gas disputes); James Murphy (contract disputes, commercial lease disputes, oppression remedy claims); Joanne Luu (commercial litigation and arbitration); and associate Kylan Kidd (oil and gas and contractual disputes).

The Alberta disputes group at McCarthy Tétrault demonstrates strength in representing local, national and international clients involved in construction, insolvency, insurance, securities and oil and gas disputes. The practice is co-directed by Douglas Yoshida KC, who specializes in corporate and commercial litigation, in particular multi-party disputes involving the energy industry; and national practice group leader Sunil Kapur, who has focused his practice on litigation and labour and employment matters. Also noted are Kara Smyth (corporate, commercial, class action and public law litigation); Sean Smyth KC (domestic and international arbitration, corporate commercial litigation and securities litigation); and Bryan West (projects and infrastructure, construction and commercial leasing disputes).

Boasting offices in both Calgary and Edmonton, Dentons is equipped to represent clients in a range of corporate and commercial litigation matters in Alberta. The team has particular expertise in energy, white collar, financial services and competition litigation. John Cusano heads up the Calgary office, while Wendy Moody and Michael Sestito share leadership of the Edmonton office. Additional key contacts include Edmonton-based Dennis Picco KC, a specialist in construction and energy litigation; and Gordon Tarnowsky KC, who brings strength to corporate, commercial and energy disputes; and co-leader of the national litigation and dispute resolution group, Rachel Howie, in Calgary.

Fasken's dispute resolution capabilities in Alberta encompass arbitration and litigation for domestic and international disputes involving construction, class actions, securities, pensions, defamation and professional liability. The practice group is jointly led by Karen Wyke and Gulu Punia from Calgary. Wyke majors on commercial litigation involving the energy, pharmaceutical and construction sectors, while Punia specializes in shareholder disputes, oppression remedies, fraud claims and breach of contract actions. Alex Kotkas is also noted for his litigation and arbitration expertise. Darren Reed left the firm in October 2023 following his appointment to the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta.

DLA Piper (Canada) LLP‘s Alberta disputes offering, based out of offices in Calgary and Edmonton, is centred on energy disputes ‎involving contractual, environmental, aboriginal, product liability and surface ‎rights issues. The practice is jointly directed by Calgary-based Heather Treacy KC, who specializes in energy, aboriginal and constitutional law disputes; Vancouver-based John Landry KC; and Toronto-based David Foulds. Additional key contacts in Calgary include Patrick Roche, who has niche expertise in power purchase arrangements; and Jordan Deering, who brings strength to litigation and matters involving investigations and fraud, bribery, ‎corruption ‎and ‎white-collar matters.

Lawson Lundell LLP's Calgary office handles a range of contentious mandates, among them commercial, securities and corporate litigation, shareholder disputes, class action defence, insolvency litigation and domestic and international commercial arbitration. Practice lead Shannon Hayes specializes in commercial litigation, contractual and business tort disputes and arbitration. Michael Donaldson KC is noted for his experience in energy, commercial and securities litigation; he is particularly well-versed in electricity, and oil and gas and petrochemical-related disputes.

The practice at Stikeman Elliott LLP is well-placed to handle a range of commercial disputes, among them shareholder disputes, contractual disputes, loss and product liability, construction litigation and directors’ liability matters. Companies in the energy, oil-and-gas, financial services and manufacturing segments regularly feature on the group’s client roster. Practice head Michael Mestinsek KC specializes in commercial litigation and corporate governance. Matti Lemmens, who joined the firm from Borden Ladner Gervais LLP in July 2023, majors on litigation, arbitration and mediation.