Laura M. Gill

Laura Gill is a dynamic, practical, and strategic advocate with extensive commercial litigation experience before the courts and in alternate dispute resolution, particularly with disputes involving the energy industry including environmental matters and First Nations issues. Laura also specializes in judicial review and appellate proceedings.

Laura's broad energy industry experience includes:

• joint venture and partnership disputes including disputes involving ROFRs, purchase and sale agreements, industry agreements such CAPL operating agreements, farmout agreements, royalty agreements, and accounting issues;
• ownership disputes involving ownership stakes and lease and licence matters;
• appeals and judicial review proceedings following decisions of regulatory bodies, in particular with respect to regulatory approvals for energy-related projects in Alberta and British Columbia; and
• emergency injunctions to restrain project interference.

Laura has significant expertise in environmental disputes including commencing and defending contaminated sites claims in court and managing contractual rights and obligations in relation to environmental liabilities.

Laura also advises clients on First Nations issues in the context of resource development such as consultation, Aboriginal rights and title, and treaty rights. Laura has acted on litigation matters involving the duty to consult, Aboriginal rights and title claims, and treaty rights.

Laura has argued cases in all levels of court in Alberta and British Columbia and has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada. In addition, Laura has experience in alternate dispute resolution including mediation and arbitration.

In national rankings, Laura is recognized as "Repeatedly recommended, Litigation - Corporate Commercial" by the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, a "Rising Star: Leading Lawyer Under 40" by Lexpert Magazine, one of Canada's Leading Energy Lawyers by the Lexpert/Globe and Mail's Report on Business Special Edition, and a "Future Star" in the Legal Media Groups Benchmark Litigation: Canada.

Laura is on the executive of the Calgary Bar Association and is the former Chair of the Articling Liaison Committee, which oversees the Articling Program in Calgary. In the community, Laura serves on the boards of directors of The Calgary Zoo and the Wilder Institute.

Prior to joining Bennett Jones, Laura practised commercial litigation in Vancouver, British Columbia, and was a judicial law clerk at the British Columbia Supreme Court.