Lauren Wortsman
- she / her / hers
Admitted to
the Ontario Bar: 2020
-
Toronto
- Bio
- Professional Involvement
- Selected Speaking Engagements
- Selected Publications
- Insights
- Education
Lauren helps clients navigate complex legal issues at the intersection of environmental, Aboriginal and natural resources law. As a skilled litigator and negotiator, Lauren works with Indigenous communities, governments and organizations to find innovative solutions that protect their rights and advance their self-determination, environmental and economic development goals. She also works with private and public sector clients, providing environmental advice in relation to environmental assessments and other regulatory processes related to air, water, fisheries and species at risk.
Lauren is a member of the firm’s Environmental, Indigenous Practice, Litigation and Energy Groups. She works with Indigenous clients to develop governance and legal structures related to environmental and natural resource issues. Lauren assists clients in advancing their rights, interests and jurisdiction in areas such as environmental assessments for energy and infrastructure projects, permitting and other regulatory processes. She provides advice on the duty to consult and accommodate and assists in negotiating impact benefit agreements in the context of natural resource development.
In environmental law, Lauren has extensive experience providing strategic advice to help businesses across various industries navigate complex federal, provincial and municipal regulatory processes. With a background in environmental science, Lauren guides clients through technical environmental compliance matters, including contaminated land and remediation, and helps clients manage environmental risks and liabilities.
Lauren appears before courts and tribunals on various Aboriginal law and environmental law matters, including the Ontario Land Tribunal. Prior to joining Aird & Berlis, Lauren practised at a nationally recognized boutique environmental law firm specializing in environmental, Aboriginal and natural resources law.
Professional Involvement
Memberships
- Canadian Bar Association
- Ontario Bar Association
- Law Society of Ontario
Selected Speaking Engagements
Speaker, University of Toronto Environmental Law Panel, November 25, 2024.
Speaker, "Environmental Law 101 – Just the Basics for Retail Space," ICSC Canadian Law Conference 2024 Roundtables, April 8, 2024.
Speaker, "The Environmental Protection Act – Overview of Civil and Regulatory Statutory Liability," Toronto Metropolitan University Guest Lecture, March 21, 2024.
Speaker, University of Toronto Environmental Law Panel, November 22, 2023.
Speaker, "The Environmental Protection Act – Overview of Civil and Regulatory Statutory Liability," Toronto Metropolitan University Guest Lecture – The Environmental Protection Act, March 16, 2023.
Speaker, McMaster BioPsych Society’s Annual Careers Night, 2022-2023.
Speaker, "Contaminated Land Transactions," Ryerson University Guest Lecture, November 15, 2021.
Speaker, "Statutory Regulation of the Environment," Ryerson University Guest Lecture, October 25, 2021.
Selected Publications
Co-Author, "Home Renovation Rebates and Peak Perks: Ontario Announces New and Expanded Energy Efficiency Programs," Aird & Berlis LLP, Energy Insider, January 21, 2025.
Co-Author, "Advancing Reconciliation and Reconciliatory Justice by Contract: The Honour of the Crown’s Application to Crown-Indigenous Agreements," Aird & Berlis LLP, January 8, 2025.
Insights
Education
- JD, Western University, 2019
- B.Sc. (Hons.) (Environmental Science), Queen’s University, 2013