- Find a Lawyer
- /
- Canada
- /
- Administrative and Public Law
Best Lawyers in Canada for Administrative and Public Law
Practice Area Overview
The subject matter within the scope of administrative and public law is broad and diverse. Generally, “public law” refers to the areas of law that govern relationships between individuals and their governments, as well as those relationships between individuals that are of importance to society as a whole. It is an umbrella term encompassing such areas as constitutional law, competition law, professional discipline, aboriginal law, energy law, municipal law, health law, human rights law, immigration law, labour law, environmental law, information and privacy law, securities law, competition law, public inquiries, inquests, and professional regulation.
All of these fields have an administrative law component. “Administrative law” refers to the area of law that regulates the procedures and powers of administrative agencies, boards, and tribunals which exercise delegated authority in the various spheres of public law.
Administrative and public law lawyers help clients navigate the complex web of legal institutions that regulate their personal and business activities. As a starting point, this includes helping clients understand how their activities are regulated, as well as how to navigate the bureaucracy created by statutes and regulations and how to comply with legislation as well as agency, board, and tribunal policies. This may involve compliance advice, obtaining a permit or license, representing clients at regulatory hearings, and providing strategic advice to achieve business objectives.
At the enforcement stage, administrative and public lawyers represent clients being investigated by public authorities, and defend clients in hearings involving allegations of non-compliance before adjudicative tribunals as well as in courts, inquests and inquiries. Lawyers also assist clients challenging decisions or actions taken by governments, agencies, and tribunals. Where a client is dissatisfied with an expert tribunal’s decision, administrative and public lawyers may assist clients in appeals and judicial reviews of the administrative body’s decision.
Some lawyers practicing administrative and public law have general experience navigating the legal institutions by which governments impose rules, provide policy and strategic advice, or represent clients in hearings and in courts. Others have very specialized expertise in specific regulated spheres.
Select a location from the list below to find the best legal talent for your needs.
Province
Philip Abbink, Hons BA, MA, JD, practices in the areas of professional regulation and labour law, primarily providing advocacy for health care professionals in grievance arbitrations and at professional Colleges. He also represents employees in investigations, quasi-criminal regulatory proceedings and at Coroners' Inquests. Philip is also the Co-managing Partner at Cavalluzzo. After earning a JD and a MA in International Relations from the University of Toronto, Phil articled at Cavalluzzo. D...
Bob is a litigation partner in the Saskatoon office who provides advice to academic institutions, employers, and businesses. As an experienced litigator, Bob provides to clients seeking to navigate the intersection between employment/learning environments, accommodation, human rights, privacy, and safety. Such advice and support is informed by the specific reputational and operational needs of each client. By listening to client needs, Bob places legal and practical advice within the context ...
Tariq Ahmed is a member of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution group. He frequently assists clients with matters related to energy regulation and construction disputes. In addition to representing clients before the courts, and in arbitrations and mediations, Tariq has assisted with matters before regulatory tribunals including the British Columbia Utilities Commission, the Alberta Utilities Commission, and the National Energy Board. Primarily advising clients in the energy and resources se...
For more than 35 years, Bernard Amyot has developed a practice that is primarily focused on civil and commercial litigation. He has extensive experience before the Quebec courts, having represented Canada’s leading financial institutions. He has lectured and written frequently on legal issues of interest to his clients. His professional liability defence work extends to lawyers as well as stockbrokers, insurance brokers, engineers and accountants. He has acted as lead counsel in numerou...
Robert Anderson practices as general counsel representing clients in court and in alternative dispute forums including arbitrations and mediations. He regularly appears in court on matters that involve a wide variety of areas of law. Mr. Anderson practiced as Crown Counsel before joining Farris in 1981. Mr. Anderson has appeared in all levels of the courts in British Columbia, the Federal Trial Court, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Tax Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada. He has...
Biography George practices trial and appellate litigation. He has been lead counsel on cases before administrative tribunals, trial courts, and courts of appeal, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He represents parties in high-profile and reputation threatening cases, such as large-stakes labour and employment litigation, class actions, fraud (financial and otherwise), governance matters, shareholder and partnership disputes, and administrative and public law issues, including those invol...
For over 30 years, trade unions have relied on Steven Barrett to represent their interests, and the interests of their members, in all types of legal proceedings. Grievance and interest arbitration, labour relations board applications, collective bargaining – Steven does it all and makes it look easy. That’s why a member of parliament once referred to Steven as “the Wayne Gretzky of labour law”. From protecting the scope of bargaining unit work, to challenging discipli...
Known for her strategic counsel and trial skills, Sandra Barton is a leading civil and commercial litigation lawyer based in the Toronto office. Sandra is recognized as one of the top corporate commercial litigators in Canada by the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory , and was featured among the country’s leading class actions lawyers in the 2015 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada . Working seamlessly with clients and counsel across Canada and the U.S., Sandra brings extensive expertis...
A partner at Woods LLP, Eric serves a wide range of industries, including financial services and natural resources. He also handles employment-related matters for employers as well as senior management. Eric is a frequent author and speaker on topics such as evidence, civil procedure and international arbitration. An accomplished trial and appellate lawyer, Eric has developed a particular expertise in domestic and international arbitration. His experience includes acting for Canada in the NAF...
A partner of the firm, Mtre Cindy Bélanger practices in intellectual property law and in advertising and marketing. A trademark agent, Mtre Cindy Bélanger develops strategies for trademark filings in Canada and abroad and adapts them to her clients’ objectives. She advises them on matters relating to trademark adoption and registration, trademark licences, copyright and domain name. She also works in litigation cases involving trademarks and copyright. She also specializes...
Nathalie-Anne Béliveau is a seasoned and experienced litigator who focuses on civil and commercial litigation as well as competition law. Her practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, injunctions, seizures and other urgent extraordinary remedies, including Anton Piller (civil search warrant), Norwich and Mareva injunctions and intellectual property disputes. Nathalie-Anne has leading-edge litigation expertise in breach of non-compete and non-solicitation clauses, unfair or ill...
Keith advises private sector, public sector and government clients on Indigenous law and regulatory matters. He has appeared as counsel before numerous regulatory tribunals and all levels of Superior and Appellate Courts (both Federal and Provincial), including the Supreme Court of Canada. He has acted for clients in a number of natural resource industries including hydro-electric generation and transmission, oil and gas, mining, aquaculture, forestry, transportation and independent power pro...
Laura is an experienced commercial litigator specializing in complex litigation and dispute resolution. Laura handles a wide range of high-profile disputes, including public and private law matters. Laura has appeared before all levels of court in British Columbia and as counsel at the Supreme Court of Canada. Laura has also appeared before the British Columbia Securities Commission tribunal in administrative matters. Laura's practice is marked by her clear communication, meticulous preparati...
Laurence Bich-Carrière practises in the Litigation Group. A member of the Quebec Bar and of the Law Society of Ontario, her practice is wide-ranging, and she provides services in areas that include class actions, municipal affairs, consumer protection, construction law, administrative law, and infrastructure. She represents a variety of clients before the court, particularly in appeal cases, and also advises clients on drafting and negotiating contracts and settlements and on risk mana...
With a practice spanning Canada and the US, Simon focuses on commercial and corporate litigation, directors’ and officers’ liability, securities litigation, class actions, and professional negligence. Simon represents a broad range of clients, including various regulated professionals, directors and officers, oppressed shareholders, and public and private companies. Simon delivers results, both in and out of the courtroom. He has a robust trial and appellate practice, appearing re...
Pierre Bienvenu, Ad. E. is a disputes lawyer with more than 35 years' experience in international commercial arbitration, corporate and commercial litigation, and constitutional law. He has acted as counsel or served as arbitrator in international arbitrations involving disputes in energy, transportation, telecommunications, mergers and acquisitions, construction, pharmaceuticals, international distribution and joint ventures, and foreign investment. A former co-chair of the IBA’s Arbit...
Michael Binetti, Managing Partner of the firm, brings a proven litigation background plus extensive experience in arguing both trials and appeals. He has demonstrated his strategic legal capability and expertise in wide-ranging areas of litigation. Michael’s peers and clients have commented that Michael is an “excellent and creative lawyer,” “finds unique solutions to complex problems,” and that “Michael gets it and knows how to win.” Michael represen...
Danielle is a partner with Cavalluzzo LLP practising in the areas of workers’ and Indigenous rights, equality, health and Aboriginal law. She is also the Chair of the firm’s Student Committee. She represents unions and associations, regulated professionals including nurses and midwives, and First Nations in diverse contexts including labour disputes, government relations, human rights and constitutional law, health equity, pay equity, professional regulation, judicial reviews and ...
Amy Block is a Partner in the Regulatory Practice Group at WeirFoulds LLP whose practice is focused on professional self-regulation, administrative and public law, and civil litigation. Prior to joining WeirFoulds, Amy was Senior Legal Counsel and Appeal & Review Lead for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. In this role, Amy built considerable experience over the course of 15 years litigating a wide variety of matters including conducting complex hearings involving allegati...
Marc-André practises in the areas of administrative and constitutional law. He has developed specific expertise in judicial review, state immunity, municipal law, federal and provincial regulatory law, the division of constitutional powers and Charter rights (provincial and federal). He also advises public bodies and certain private companies on access to information, state liability and issues related to investigations and the exercise of public powers in the areas of transportation, ...
Richard is a natural storyteller and his many stories have elicited much laughter from both clients and colleagues. He is a mighty and strategic litigator who leaves nothing to chance. Richard joined Monette Barakett in 1980. He is a long-standing partner and was a member of the executive committee for over 25 years. He served as managing partner from 2012 to 2017.Richard specializes in labour and employment law in the public, parapublic and private sectors. For more than thirty years, he has...
Maria Braker is a research lawyer in our Litigation and Conflict Resolution group. She has extensive experience in appellate advocacy, in litigation involving governmental bodies, in administrative law, as well as in private international law. Maria began her career as a research lawyer at the Court of Appel of Quebec, for the honorable Jacques Chamberland, J.C.A. Before joining Fasken, she practiced civil, commercial and administrative litigation in a boutique litigation firm. She was also c...
Practices in the area of commercial litigation including contract and business disputes, appeals, administrative tribunals (human rights, privacy law), defence of professionals in self-regulation discipline and complaint proceedings, shareholder disputes and real estate litigation. Also practices in the area of health law including public health law, hospital privileges disputes and regulatory college proceedings.
Jules Brière has been in private practice in Quebec City since 1976. He has acquired a strong reputation in constitutional law, administrative law, health law and the law governing public lands (production, transmission and distribution of hydro-electricity; forestry and land management). Mr. Brière has on many occasions advised governments, various ministries and public and parapublic agencies on the legal aspects of resource management and development in the public domain, the...
During his practice of over 40 years, Alan Bromstein has come to be recognized by his clients as an expert in matters relating to Regulated Health Professions (Colleges). His work has included the preparation of regulations, bylaws, policies, procedures, rules and submissions to government. Alan has had the privilege of advising Councils (Boards of Directors), Statutory and Standing Committees and College staff to assist them in meeting their public protection mandate. Although his current pr...
John is the former head of the firm's litigation practice. With degrees in both engineering and law, he practises in the areas of environmental law, litigation, and administrative law, and has appeared as counsel on matters in all levels of the courts in Ontario, and before several administrative tribunals, including the Environmental Review Tribunal, the Board of Directors of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario, the Commercial Registration Appeal Tribunal, the Law Society of Upper Canada...
George is a seasoned litigator with 40 years’ experience before all levels of the Canadian courts and various administrative tribunals. He provides clients with strategic advice designed to resolve corporate/commercial, securities and real estate disputes. George also provides governance and risk management leadership in his capacity as general counsel to several family owned enterprises and community associations. George’s practice incorporates mediation and arbitration as key el...
Blair began his legal career with MacKimmie Matthews in 1986 and was a founding partner of Carbert Waite LLP in 1999. Blair’s diverse practice of law has taken him to Canada’s three coasts, advising and acting for individuals, corporations, estates, public institutions and governments. As a senior partner with Carbert Waite LLP, Blair engages on a wide range of difficult cases that demand an advanced understanding of the law, relentless inquiry into the facts, appropriate strategi...
As the senior partner in his firm, Paul is a leading constitutional, labour and administrative law lawyer, arguing significant cases before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Courts of Ontario, and labour and administrative tribunals. Paul was appointed by Associate Chief Justice Dennis O'Connor to act as lead commission counsel to the Commission of Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Maher Arar. Previously, Paul acted as lead commission counsel in the Walkerton Inquir...
Adam Chamberlain is an active member of Gowling WLG's Environmental Law, Indigenous Law and the Canada North Practice Groups. Certified as a Specialist in Environmental Law by the Law Society of Upper Canada, Adam has practised environmental and energy law for most of his career, focused on infrastructure development. Adam's practice encompasses diverse matters related to the environmental and other regulatory requirements involved with project development. Adam is also extensively involved i...
Shantona co-founded Pape Chaudhury in 2018. She represents both individual and institutional clients in civil and commercial disputes. Her practice includes commercial litigation, class actions, torts, professional discipline, professional negligence, administrative, constitutional, and public international law. Shantona has considerable expertise in appeals: she has been counsel in over 30 cases at the Ontario Court of Appeal and has successfully argued at the Supreme Court of Canada. She al...
Mr. Cherniak’s practice is restricted to arbitrations and mediations and trial and appellate work, in a broad spectrum of complex commercial, insurance and public litigation and arbitration. Mr. Cherniak is a member (and Past Chair) of the Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society (TCAS) and a non-resident member arbitrator at Arbitration Place, a fully integrated arbitration centre located in the heart of Canada’s financial district in downtown Toronto, and a member of the arbitrati...
William is a senior partner at Harper Grey, the chair of our professional regulation group and co-chair of our health law group. William represents clients in both civil and regulatory matters. His primary areas of practice include professional regulation and discipline, civil sexual assault litigation, civil and billing fraud, credentials proceedings, human rights and discrimination in a professional context, privacy, professional ethics, and fitness to practice. He acts both for professiona...
Jean-Sébastien Clément is a partner in the firm's Montréal office. His practice has been focusing on aboriginal law for more than fifteen years with a particular interest for matters pertaining to self-governance, natural resources, forestry, education, socio-economic development, administration of justice, environment, land regime and health and social services. During his career, he has acted and played a major role in many litigation cases including constitutional case...
Jean-François Cloutier is a partner at Fasken and specializes in labour and employment law as well as administration law. He advises businesses from both the public and private sectors and represents them before civil courts and administrative tribunals. In recent years, he has taken an interest in all aspects of both collective and individual employment relations. He has also developed an expertise in matters of legal-medical import, specifically in absenteeism management, the duty to...
Marie-Pier Cloutier has vast experience in civil, commercial and administrative litigation obtained over the course of ten years in high-profile and large-scale cases before trial and appeal courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. https://woods.qc.ca/en/team/marie-pier-cloutier
Connor is a partner practicing in the Regina office. Connor’s practice is primarily concentrated in the areas of insurance law, professional regulatory law, administrative law, civil litigation, and child protection issues. In his work with professional regulatory bodies and his dealings with administrative law Connor provides counsel to ensure that these professional and administrative bodies run effectively and responsibly and operate to protect the interests of the public. Connor wor...
Jeff Cowan is recognized as one of Canada's leading public law litigators. He acts as counsel before administrative tribunals and the trial and appellate courts in many aspects of public law, including professional self-regulation and discipline, judicial review of government decision-making, freedom of information and privacy matters, municipal and provincial planning and environmental approvals, municipal assessment and taxation, health, education, alcohol and gaming, legislative drafting a...
Geoff Cowper, KC is a leading general litigator and a leader of the Firm's Litigation & Dispute Resolution group. Geoff has served as counsel in leading private and public cases in Canada and internationally. These have included leading decisions with national and international dimensions respecting commercial law, public law and human rights.
Brian Crane is a partner in Gowlings' Ottawa office. As senior member of Gowlings' Advocacy Law Group, he practises in constitutional, administrative and Aboriginal law. Brian appears as counsel before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court and the Ontario Courts. He has worked extensively in the negotiation of native land claims and self-government agreements and related litigation, and in arbitration and mediation. An active member of the Canadian Bar Association, Brian has chaired ...
Jennifer Danahy is a partner in the firm's Toronto office, practising exclusively in the area of environmental law. As a solicitor, Jennifer works proactively with clients to provide timely and practical legal advice on environmental matters. This includes providing advice to lenders, borrowers, vendors and purchasers in relation to the environmental aspects of corporate transactions, assisting clients with the design and implementation of Environmental Management Systems and Best Management ...
François Dandonneau is a partner in the firm’s Montréal office. His practice has been centred on Aboriginal law for over fifteen years with a specific focus on matters dealing with mining and natural resources, procurement, taxation and self-governance. Throughout his career, François has acted and played a major role in important litigation matters, notably constitutional cases, before all levels of the courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. François...
Christine Davies is a labour lawyer and civil litigator in Goldblatt Partners' Toronto office. She is known for her tenacious commitment to getting clients the best possible result. A skilled litigator who started her career as a research lawyer, Christine now has one of the broadest practices at the firm. She is equally comfortable before labour arbitrators and administrative tribunals as she is before the civil courts. Christine’s labour practice includes representing unions and their...
Rick Dearden, a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, is a senior litigation partner in the firm's Ottawa office, practising primarily in the areas of international trade, investor-state arbitration, media and defamation law, freedom of information and administrative law. Rick’s accomplishments have also been recognized in the Best Lawyers in Canada ( International Trade; Defamation and Media Law ) ; Lexpert Guide To The Leading U.S./Canada Cross-Border Litigation Lawyers; Be...
Michel Décary has pleaded before the courts of all levels, including up to the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as provincial and federal administrative tribunals, domestic arbitration tribunals and commissions of inquiry, in matters involving civil, corporate, and securities law as well as administrative, constitutional and labour law. Michel is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, of which he was Regent from 2006 to 2010 and was named Montréal Corporate Governanc...
For 30 years, Craig Dennis, Q.C. has represented clients in significant litigation matters at the trial and appellate levels. Craig is a partner at Dennis James Aitken LLP. His practice has a business focus with an emphasis on the effective resolution of complex commercial disputes. His litigation expertise includes the defense of class actions, professional liability, shareholder and related corporate disputes, product liability, land-related disputes, as well as administrative and constitut...
Matthieu enjoys adding his deadpan humour to any situation. In the throes of a complex case, and with the inherent seriousness of the law profession, this personality trait lends well to achieving the best solutions through the most agreeable means (or the least disagreeable, depending on where you sit!). Matthieu’s clients and colleagues appreciate his availability and his reliability. He is driven by teamwork and his greatest joy is achieving goals through fruitful collaboration.Matth...
Jennifer is a partner at Roper Greyell where she advises employers in all areas of labour, employment, and human rights law. Jennifer provides strategic advice regarding the management of workplace legal issues in both unionized and non-unionized environments. Jennifer’s clients include school boards, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, health authorities, retailers, and other private corporations. Clients can draw from Jennifer’s depth of experience. She has managed case...
Mélissa Devost has extensive experience in environmental law. She provides legal and strategic advice on environmental matters concerning Quebec, federal and municipal legislation. She also advises clients on obtaining environmental permits and authorizations and verifies environmental compliance in their operations. Ms. Devost conducts a number of environmental due diligence reviews in order to assess the environmental risks and compliance in connection with mergers and acquisitions a...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.