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  • 2012 Lexpert RankedLexpert Ranked for 2012

    Donna Shier is rated Consistently Recommended, and John Willms, Marc McAree and Julie Abouchar are rated Repeatedly Recommended, Environmental Law. Julie Abouchar is rated Repeatedly Recommended, Aboriginal Law and Environmental Law.

  • Best Lawyers Logo2013 Best Lawyers

    John Willms, Donna Shier, Marc McAree and Julie Abouchar have been selected by their peers to be included in the annual editions of The Best Lawyers in Canada... READ MORE

  • Rising Stars LogoCherie Brant is named one of Lexpert magazine’s Rising Stars, Leading Lawyers Under 40.

    The Lexpert® Rising Stars: “Leading Lawyers Under 40” recognizes top talent under 40 nominated by their peers and selected by Lexpert’s advisory board, which includes some of the most respected senior lawyers in Canada. Nominees are ranked by professional achievements, leadership skills, business acumen, teamwork and interpersonal skills.

  • Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP wins DealMakers Country Awards 2013.

    The DealMakers Country Awards 2011 recognizes a select number of leading professional firms, across the globe, for their individual areas of specialization... READ MORE

  • Lawyers World LogoLawyers World 2011 Award Winner: Environmental Law Firm of the Year.

    The magazine’s annual Lawyers World Law Awards recognize a select number of leading professional firms across the globe for their exceptional performance in their areas of specialization and geographical regions.

  • ICFM LogoInterContinental Finance Magazine

    The InterContinental Finance Magazine, along with members of their readership, lists Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP as one of their Top Tier advisors.

  • Practical Law LogoPLC Cross-border Environment multi-jurisdictional guide 2011-2012 endorses Willms & Shier.

    The guide is the leading resource on environment law around the world and is used by in-house counsel and referring law firms requiring advice in unfamiliar jurisdictions.

  • Willms & Shier is named winner of the 2013 Corporate Intl Magazine Legal Award for Environment Law - Law Firm of the Year in Canada.

  • The Canadian Lawyer Magazine, January 2013, names Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP one of Canada's top 5 environmental law boutiques

Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP represents clients on a full range of environment, Aboriginal and energy law issues.  Our dedicated legal team includes five Environmental Law Specialists certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada plus lawyers with backgrounds in environmental science and environmental planning.

Willms & Shier is known for its extensive knowledge and innovative solutions in a broad range of practice areas including defence of prosecution, corporate due diligence and risk management, toxic tort litigation, brownfields strategy and contaminated site remediation, environmental assessment and approvals, municipal law, Aboriginal consultation, First Nations development and renewable energy matters. Our leadership and participation at conferences and events help us maintain cutting edge knowledge and analysis of Canada’s changing environmental laws.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Indigenous Leadership & Self-Governance, The Canadian Institute

Katherine Koostachin will discuss the legal framework and issues in relation to the control of natural resource development through strategic resource development planning tools.
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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Avoiding Islands of Green; Ecological Integrity as Seen by Conservation Authorities, the MNR and MOE, Land Development and Planning Law, Insight

Donna Shier will discuss what developers and their lawyers should know about source water protection, species at risk and environmental provisions of Ontario’s Brownfields regulation.
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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Land and Resource Contracts Management 101, Insight

Charles Birchall conducts a workshop at Insight's Aboriginal Lands and Natural Resources Forum. Legal experts in the sector will guide you through basic legal structures and when to use them, and review various types of agreements.
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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Fundamentals of Natural Resources and Energy Practice, Ontario Bar Association

Joanna Vince co-chairs OBA's program on the introduction to mining and energy practice from the perspectives of practitioners in private practice, government and industry.
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May 13, 2013

No-fault Orders Dumping Clean-up Costs on Innocent Parties

Two recent court cases illustrate how the so-called “no-fault” provisions in Ontario’s environmental laws can saddle innocent parties, both corporate and individual, with millions of dollars of remediation costs, while a bankruptcy case in Newfoundland is forcing environmental agencies to pursue these innocent ‘deep pockets’ ever more vigorously to fund future cleanup projects.
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March 01, 2013

Vapour Intrusion: What You Can't See, Smell, Hear, Taste or Feel Can Hurt You!

When it comes to contaminated property and its impacts to the environment, there is more than meets the eye.
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February 05, 2013

When Complying with the Law in Your Own Backyard Is Not Enough: Cross-Border United States and Canada Environmental Litigation

American Bar Association, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, Winter 2013.
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January 21, 2013

Donna Shier quoted in article - Drilling Down, Canadian Lawyer Magazine January 2013

Donna Shier is quoted in article by Michael McKiernan, Drilling Down, Canadian Lawyer Magazine January 2013. Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP is named one of Canada's top 5 environmental law boutiques.
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April 17, 2013

John Willms participates in Corporate LiveWire’s Virtual Round Table: Environmental Law

John Willms shares his expertise in Corporate LiveWire's interactive virtual Round Table on environmental law.
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March 26, 2013

John Willms Quoted in Article - Beyond Dig-And-Dump: New Approaches to Soil Remediation

John Willms is quoted in article by Camilla Cornell, Environmental Consultant, January 2013
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March 26, 2013

John Willms Quoted in Article - Property Owners Seek Assurances on Pit Project

John Willms is quoted in article by Ron Grech, The Daily Press (Timmins) October 2012.
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March 25, 2013

Osgoode Cleans Up at the Willms & Shier Environmental Law Moot

Willms & Shier mentioned in article by Bianca Bell, Obiter Dicta, the student-run newspaper of Osgoode Hall Law School.
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