Aird & Berlis Lawyers Named in Lexpert Special Edition: Energy 2025

We are proud to share that eight of our partners have been recognized in the 2025 Lexpert Special Edition: Energy.

This publication recognizes leading lawyers in the energy industry, as well as energy-related practices. It also features key industry developments, legal trends and issues such as oil and gas M&A, regulatory reform, Indigenous consultation and ESG.

The following lawyers are featured as leading lawyers in the energy sector.

Ron Clark is Co-Leader of the firm’s Energy Group and a member of the Corporate/Commercial, Environmental, Infrastructure and Public Policy & Government Relations Groups. His practice focuses on major energy-sector initiatives in Canada and internationally, including power procurement, the development of generation and cogeneration facilities and electricity market policy.

Bob Freedman is a member of the firm’s Indigenous Practice Group, as well as the Environmental Law and Energy Groups. With more than three decades of experience in Aboriginal and environmental law, he advises Indigenous communities across Canada on governance, Treaty rights, complex resource agreement negotiations and regulatory compliance.

Jason Madden is Co-Leader of the firm’s Indigenous Practice Group and a member of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Energy Groups. He advises and represents Indigenous clients on matters involving Aboriginal and Treaty rights, including the recognition of Indigenous rights, historical land claims and other disputes with the Crown.

Dennis O’Leary is Co-Leader of the firm’s Energy and Environmental Groups and a member of the Litigation, Transportation and Mining Groups. He advises on a wide range of energy-related matters, including proceedings before the Ontario Energy Board, and provides strategic advice to international utilities on the regulation of electricity and gas at both the federal and provincial levels.

Kristi Ross is a member of the firm’s Environmental and Litigation Groups. She advises public and private sector clients, including energy producers, government bodies and corporations, on a broad range of regulatory and environmental matters. Her work also includes advising on renewable energy initiatives, such as hydroelectric generation and environmental infrastructure projects.

Scott Smith is a member of the firm’s Indigenous Practice Group, as well as the Energy, Environmental Law and Infrastructure Groups. He advises First Nations on all phases of major energy and natural resource projects across Canada, including regulatory proceedings and project-related litigation.

David Stevens is Co-Leader of the firm’s Energy Group and a member of the Litigation Group. With more than 25 years of experience, he advises gas and electric utilities, as well as other energy market participants, on a wide range of regulatory and commercial matters, with a specific focus on Ontario’s energy sector.

Ajay Winterburn is Co-Leader of the firm’s Indigenous Practice Group and a member of the Environmental, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Energy and Public Policy & Government Relations Groups. She provides strategic advice to Indigenous communities and governments on matters including the negotiation and implementation of modern treaties, environmental stewardship and Indigenous economic self-government and self-sufficiency.

The Aird & Berlis Energy Group is composed of a multidisciplinary team of lawyers who advise on a wide range of energy-related matters. We are recognized as experts by the energy law community, including distributors, transmitters, generators, municipalities, regulatory bodies, financial institutions and other energy market participants.