Canada: Shipping & Maritime
The Canadian shipping industry is one of the world’s busiest, with the energy industry in particular driving high levels of activity and regulatory, insurance and environmental issues all high on the agenda. Our research identifies 32 outstanding practitioners recognised for the calibre of their practice in this sector.
Bernard & Partners increases its presence to four lawyers in this edition. Founding partner Peter Bernard QC is one of the most highly nominated lawyers in our research, and was described as “one of the finest lawyers on the West Coast”. Gary Wharton is “an authority on major marine casualty cases”. Peter Swanson is a “maritime expert” who has appeared before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Supreme Court of Canada. Thomas Hawkins is similarly well regarded as a “pre-eminent maritime litigator”.
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP performs strongly in the research and earns three featured partners. Jeremy Bolger in Montreal is one of the most highly recommended lawyers in the research overall, and is “incredibly knowledgeable on all facets of maritime law”. Peter Pamel is national leader of the firm’s maritime group and internationally renowned for both his litigation and corporate expertise. In Toronto, Norman Letalik is hugely respected for his shipping practice and renowned for his “excellent client service”.
William Moreira QC of Stewart McKelvey in Halifax is “supremely talented” and scored particularly highly in our research, while Cecily Strickland is very well regarded in St John’s. Richard Southcott is regional managing partner for Nova Scotia and highly recommended by clients and peers alike.
Brisset Bishop is “one of the leading shipping firms in Quebec”, and sees three partners listed. Danièle Dion is recognised for her expertise in relation to oil pollution in particular, and was praised for her disputes practice. Victor DeMarco is a “leading authority” on P&I cargo claims, while David Colford was recommended for his disputes practice.
McInnes Cooper sees two highly rated partners listed. Wylie Spicer QC in Halifax is regarded as a “pillar of the maritime bar”, praised for his energy related expertise and arbitration and mediation practice. Robert Jette QC is “the main man in New Brunswick” according to multiple sources and the most highly regarded shipping lawyer in the province.
Vincent Prager of Stikeman Elliott LLP in Montreal is “hugely experienced and tremendously effective.” A former vice-chairman of the maritime law section of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association, he is currently vice-chairman of the maritime law committee (A) of the International Bar Association. Peter Cullen is the “first port of call” for insurance and transport related disputes and corporate work.
At Alexander Holburn Beaudin & Lang LLP, David McEwen QC is a “leading authority on cargo related matters”, and a revered litigator – he has appeared before all levels of Canadian courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Douglas Schmitt is “one of the foremost practitioners in Canada for ship arrest cases”, and chairs the corresponding committee of the Canadian Maritime Law Association.
John Bromley at Bull Housser & Tupper LLP in Vancouver is “first class for all types of marine disputes” and is particularly sought after for cargo related work. Shelly Chapelski is a “very skilled litigator”, and also received praise for her mediation track record.
At Langlois Kronström Desjardins in Quebec, John O’Connor is recommended across the full range of marine insurance claims, and is particularly well known in the energy sector. Richard Gaudreau is a former chair of the maritime law section of the Canadian Bar Association and recognised for his arbitration expertise.
Both name partners from Fernandes Hearn LLP are selected for inclusion. Rui Fernandes is “extremely well versed” in all aspects of transportation law, and Gordon Hearn is recommended for his transportation and insurance related expertise.
The “superlative” Christopher Giaschi at Giaschi & Margolis is “one of the best shipping lawyers around”. He is current president of the Canadian Maritime Law Association and past chair of the national maritime law section of the Canadian Bar Association.
Barry Oland at his own firm Oland & Co is “pre-eminent” for maritime and transportation related litigation on behalf of marine insurers and institutional clients. A former president of the Canadian Maritime Law Association, he is “one of the best around” according to our sources.
Deborah Hutchings recently joined Benson Myles PLC in St John’s and is a “first class litigator” renowned for her work across the full spectrum of maritime law.
At Metcalf & Company, Frank Metcalf QC is a “big name at the Nova Scotia Bar” having practised in the field for over 40 years. He was appointed to a four-member panel by the federal minister of transport in 2002 and 2003 to review the Canada Marine Act.
Marc Isaacs of Isaacs & Co is recognised across Canada for his cargo recovery expertise, and is also highly recommended for his insurance practice.
Sole practitioner William Sharpe in Toronto is very well known throughout the marketplace for his “excellent advocacy”.
James Thomson at Bersenas Jacobsen Chouest Thomson Blackburn LLP has provided litigation counsel to oil companies, ship owners and freight forwarders and is also well regarded for his transactional expertise.