Goodmans LLP’s environmental law practice continues to gain traction in the market under the leadership of Joanna Rosengarten, whose experience spans compliance, corporate support and environmental defence work.

Benefiting from one of the deepest benches in Canada, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s sizeable environmental law practice draws on specialists across the country. Considered by many a market leader, Toronto-based Jonathan Kahn advises on the full range of environmental compliance, litigation, incident response and corporate support; he recently advised Cleveland-Cliffs on the environmental law aspects of its C$3.4bn acquisition of Stelco Holdings. Also recommended in Toronto are national department head Charles Kazaz (who also operates from Montreal) and Lana Finney, who brings extensive experience in land contamination issues, regulatory compliance and environmental litigation. Key names in Calgary include regulatory and environmental litigator Dufferin Harper and Terri-Lee Oleniuk, who specializes in energy-related environmental work. In Vancouver, Tony Crossman is recognized for his expertise in mining-related matters. A strong second line of associates includes rising star Ryan McNamara (Toronto), who focuses on environmental law and electricity regulation.

Split between its Toronto and Montreal offices, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP’s environmental law group is a popular choice to advise corporates — particularly mining companies — on the environmental aspects of large-scale transactions. The full-spectrum practice also maintains a thriving compliance offering, with experience in project approvals, Indigenous consultation, environmental incident management and litigation. In Toronto, high-profile partners Sarah Powell and Alexandria Pike rank among the leading environmental law specialists in the market. Powell was recently retained by the Government of Canada to provide an expert report in the matter of Ruby River v Canada under Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement. The Toronto team also includes capable associate Robyn Barabash. Key Montreal contacts are Marie-Claude Bellemare, whose expertise spans compliance, regulatory approvals and litigation; and Anne-Frédérique Bourret, who joined in December 2024 from Langlois Avocats and focuses on risk management, environmental assessment processes and contentious matters.

McCarthy Tétrault is well versed in the full life cycle of environmental law matters, from permitting and regulatory compliance through to contaminated sites management, administrative proceedings and litigation. From platforms across Canada, the sizeable practice acts for a diverse roster of domestic and multinational companies and government entities, with a focus on the energy and natural resources, petrochemicals, transport, land development and agri-business sectors. In Vancouver, department co-head and global mining litigation co-chair Nicholas Hughes is highly regarded for his expertise in environmental disputes involving the mining, forestry, industrial and transport spheres. He was recently engaged by Nature Trust of British Columbia to support its estuary rehabilitation program. The Vancouver team also includes litigator Una Radoja and environmental, regulatory and Indigenous law partner Selina Lee-Andersen, who recently rejoined the firm from Miller Thomson. The national group is additionally co-led by Cindy Vaillancourt, who splits her time between Montreal and Quebec City, and Calgary-based Kimberly Howard, both of whom specialize in environmental and regulatory matters.

Valued for its ‘top-notch thinking and insight’ and ‘deep and broad bench’, Torys’ environmental law practice also stands out for its comprehensive industry expertise, which encompasses the energy, infrastructure, forestry, mining and manufacturing spheres. Toronto-based department head Dennis Mahony is highly regarded for his work across the full scope of assessment and approval processes, administrative investigations and prosecutions and regulatory compliance. Mahony continues to steer Canadian National Railway through the federal environmental approval process for its Milton Logistics Hub. Alongside its activity in the transport sphere, the team leverages the firm’s formidable nuclear capability to excel in advising on the environmental aspects of nuclear projects — Toronto-based Michael Fortier is particularly prominent in this space. Other key contacts include Toronto-based climate change chair Tyson Dyck and Calgary-based litigator Lou Cusano, whose practice intersects energy regulation and environmental law. The team was recently strengthened by the arrival of counsel Claire Seaborn, who spent five years in senior government roles, including as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

Bennett Jones LLP’s environmental law team is closely aligned with the firm’s signature energy and natural resources offering, bringing strong experience in matters relating to energy and mining projects. Other practice strong suits include agribusiness, infrastructure projects and water and wastewater systems. Toronto-based department head Leonard Griffiths is widely admired for his broad expertise that spans transactional support, regulatory compliance and contentious proceedings. The group also draws on Toronto-based Sarah Gilbert, who advises on environmental compliance, contaminated sites, incident response and waste management; and Calgary’s Shawn Munro, who combines skill sets in environmental law, energy regulation and Indigenous law. Radha Curpen and Sharon Singh recently left the firm.

Acting for a diverse mix of corporate and public sector clients, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP’s environmental practice is a popular choice for project-related matters, working closely with the firm’s prominent construction and infrastructure teams to handle approvals, environmental assessments and related litigation. The group also advises on transactions, regulatory compliance, closure planning and remediation. Vancouver-based national department head Rick Williams specializes in project development-related issues and environmental disputes. Toronto practice head Gabrielle Kramer is also highly recommended. In July 2024, environmental law-focused counsel Diana Weir joined in Toronto from Norton Rose Fulbright.

Dentons’ practice integrates environmental law expertise with complementary strength in Indigenous, corporate, real estate and regulatory law. The team is chiefly recognized for its work with clients in the energy and natural resources — particularly oil and gas — sectors, while it also frequently advises on matters involving transport, forestry, real estate and chemicals. From Calgary, Alex MacWilliam leads both the environment and natural resources group and the climate change strategies unit. The team also includes Montreal-based Mira Gauvin, who focuses on regulatory compliance and corporate support.

According to some, DLA Piper (Canada) LLP is a ‘trusted partner for clients facing complex, high-stakes environmental matters’. Leveraging its broad platform across Western Canada, the team’s growing prominence is reflected in its increasing activity in mandates involving Toronto and Quebec. Department co-head Joshua Jantzi operates from Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver and specializes in environmental law disputes and administrative proceedings. Practice co-head and senior counsel Wally Braul likewise divides his time between Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver and is a go-to environmental law litigator. Other key contacts include Max Collett (Vancouver), Robert Seidel KC (Edmonton) and Jennifer Cleall KC (Edmonton).

A leader in Western Canada, Lawson Lundell LLP’s regional focus marks it as a force in energy and natural resources environmental law. In particular, the firm’s premier mining practice drives a steady stream of project approvals, permitting issues, regulatory compliance and transactional support work. The team also advises on hazardous waste, contaminated sites and reclamation processes. The department is co-led by Vancouver-based litigator Laura Duke; Vancouver-based Jennifer Nyland, who focuses on project development; Vancouver-based environmental and Indigenous law specialist Christine Kowbel; and Calgary-based regulatory and administrative law partner Shailaz Dhalla. Senior counsel John Olynyk is also recommended in Calgary.

Miller Thomson’s environmental law group frequently handles high-stakes litigation, regulatory compliance and transactional support mandates. Well equipped to advise clients across all of Canada’s key business sectors — including energy, natural resources, real estate and manufacturing — the team contributes experience in contaminated sites, brownfield redevelopment and resource projects. Key figures include Toronto-based department head Tamara Farber, who advises on both transactional and contentious matters; Vaughan-based associate counsel Bryan Buttigieg, a seasoned environmental law veteran; and environmental litigator Tim Pritchard, who recently joined the Vancouver office from JFK Law LLP.

Distinguished by its focus on contentious work, BCF Business Law’s environmental law practice demonstrates strong activity in zoning-related litigation, administrative defence matters and environmental liability cases. The group is also well versed in advisory work, including impact assessments, approval processes and transactional support. Montreal-based litigator Simon Pelletier heads the practice, supported by seasoned Quebec City-based environmental law counsel Jean Piette and Montreal-based Jonathan Coulombe, who was promoted to partner in January 2025.

McLennan Ross LLP brings strong experience in environmental litigation, including judicial reviews, contamination disputes and constitutional challenges. The Western Canada-based practice also advises on regulatory compliance and transactional matters. The team is jointly led by Calgary-based Michael Barbero and Edmonton-based Sean Parker, while it also draws on senior environmental specialists Ronald Kruhlak KC (Edmonton) and Gavin Fitch KC (Calgary). In February 2025, Evan Dixon left to join P2 Regulatory Solutions.

Historically recognized for its strength in environmental due diligence, Stikeman Elliott LLP’s robust transactional support practice is underpinned by broad regulatory expertise, which spans permitting, brownfield redevelopment, remediation, investigations and litigation. Montreal-based Myriam Fortin heads the group and is noted for her experience across the mining, energy, chemicals, manufacturing and waste management sectors, among others. Key Toronto figures include projects co-head Patrick Duffy and up-and-coming environmental law specialist Patrick Welsh.