Energy: Power | Canada

McCarthy Tétrault is a well-respected national law firm with one of the most noteworthy power practices in Canada, regularly advising on both the commercial and regulatory aspects of large domestic and international projects. Its lawyers bring strong expertise to bear in relation to project finance and energy infrastructure, as well as advising on M&A transactions and power sales. The firm's clients hail from the public and private sectors and include developers, generators, suppliers, lenders, underwriters, investors and utilities. The team has particularly strong capabilities in the renewable and nuclear sectors.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt operates a well-regarded energy practice, advising on the procurement, financing, construction and development of major power projects, as well as advising on high-profile transactions and representing clients before provincial and federal regulators. The team operates nationally and offers a particularly deep level of expertise in Ontario and Alberta. With substantial experience in both the public and private sectors, the firm represents domestic and international clients and has a strong nuclear practice, with additional expertise in wind, solar and power transmission projects.

Torys offers substantive expertise across a range of transactional power matters, from generation to distribution. The infrastructure and energy team is also particularly strong in the power regulatory space, and is singled out for its renewables and nuclear expertise. It is best known for its work in Ontario, and has a growing profile in Alberta, as well as in cross-border mandates. The group's clients include major domestic and international players, including developers, generators, buyers, sellers, financiers, First Nations organisations and public authorities.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon operates a well-regarded national power practice with particular strength in Calgary, Toronto and Montréal. The group successfully draws on the multidisciplinary expertise of colleagues across the firm to offer clients a wide-ranging service across jurisdictions, including support on cross-border transactions and international PPAs. The team is regularly called on by some of the major players in the conventional and renewable energy sectors to provide commercial and project finance advice. It also represents clients before regulatory boards in Alberta, BC, Québec and Ontario.

Borden Ladner Gervais is a talented national law firm with particular strength in energy across Ontario and BC. The power group assists a variety of major electricity industry clients, including generators, distributors, transmission developers, Crown corporations and government agencies. The lawyers offer considerable expertise in corporate and commercial matters relating to conventional and renewable project development, including biomass, water, solar and wind power. They also provide sought-after regulatory advice and representation before tribunals across the country.

Stikeman Elliott houses an experienced team of energy lawyers, offering both transactional and regulatory expertise and a seamless national service. The national power practice advises domestic and international clients on conventional and renewable generation and transmission and assists with M&A and financing transactions. The team boasts considerable regulatory experience in Ontario and Alberta, with further capacity throughout Québec, where it advises operators and regulatory boards. The firm is also known for its projects and power trading expertise.

Bennett Jones stands out for its strength in the power market in Alberta, as well as in British Columbia, where the firm advises on significant commercial projects. The power and renewables group also assists with compliance and other regulatory matters in connection with a range of energy projects. The firm's clients include domestic and international electricity producers, suppliers, municipalities and transmission developers. The team offers additional expertise in renewable energy and construction, as well as advising on divestitures and acquisitions of energy assets.

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg boasts a strong cross-disciplinary energy group which guides clients in the power and utility space in all stages of development, financing, construction and operation. The firm's practice is highly transaction-focused and is well regarded for its advice on matters ranging from M&A to investments and project financings across the energy space. It also provides sought-after regulatory advice and representation before tribunals across all levels of the court.

Fasken operates a robust power practice in Canada, offering considerable experience in M&A and financing related to power infrastructure across Western Canada and Québec. The energy group also provides advice on a host of other matters in the space, such as ratemaking and power purchase agreements. The team’s capabilities span both conventional and renewable power projects, particularly in the hydroelectric field. The lawyers regularly act for utilities, power marketers and transmitters, and provide additional expertise in energy regulatory, Aboriginal and environmental law.

Gowling WLG stands out for its impressive Canada-wide energy regulatory strength. The group provides further expertise in transactional matters, with notable experience in capital markets and debt financing. The firm also has a robust nuclear practice, strong involvement in the renewables sector and a wide net of distributor clients in Ontario. Its client roster also includes a range of consumers and regulators, as well as municipalities and First Nations communities.

Lawson Lundell provides sound regulatory and commercial advice to a broad range of energy clients, including power producers and marketers, regulators, government agencies and Crown corporations. The firm's regulatory expertise covers rate design, permitting and a wide range of hearings. It is active in BC, as well as Saskatchewan, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and the Western United States. The energy team benefits from the strength of the firm in other areas including corporate/commercial, tax, Aboriginal and environmental law.

Norton Rose Fulbright houses an experienced team providing knowledge of conventional and renewable power generation, energy regulatory and climate change law. The national energy team is well respected for its project financing and procurement, capital markets and M&A expertise. Its electricity lawyers are especially active in Alberta, with the firm offering further capabilities in Ontario and Québec, as well as in multi-jurisdictional mandates. Its client roster includes both public and private sector companies engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of power.

Cassels Brock & Blackwell act for a diverse range of clients on regulatory and transactional matters for clients across Canada, offering a wealth of expertise across the full range of regulatory, commercial and corporate law considerations associated with the generation and transmission of electricity and renewable energy projects. The team is particularly adept at handling indigenous-owned energy projects, leveraging its expertise in indigenous and environmental law.

Dentons Canada provides representation to major international and domestic companies on M&A in the Canadian energy sector, advising on the financing of conventional and renewable energy projects across Canada, as well as electricity transmission and distribution. The firm brings strong First Nations and environmental law expertise to bear in its energy work. The group's regulatory practice in particular benefits from this multidisciplinary approach. The team also offers considerable experience of international power projects, most notably in Africa and the USA.