Laura E. Duke,

Laura Duke is a partner in our Vancouver office and has experience in environmental law, Indigenous law, civil litigation, administrative and constitutional law. She represents clients with environmental assessments, regulatory approvals, land use, project development, Indigenous consultation, and contaminated sites in a range of industries including infrastructure, mining, energy, forestry and real estate.

Laura is experienced in guiding clients through a variety of environmental assessment processes, and has extensive experience with projects in the marine environment. She also has experience with species at risk issues, having drafted the first ever Conservation Agreement under the federal Species at Risk Act.

Laura has appeared before all levels of court in British Columbia, the Federal Court of Canada and various administrative bodies and regulatory tribunals. As part of her practice, she represents clients seeking judicial review of decisions made by regulatory bodies and administrative decision-makers.  In addition to appearing before courts and tribunals, Laura assists clients in resolving their disputes using alternative dispute resolution processes, including arbitration and mediation.

After law school, Laura spent a year serving as a law clerk at the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and following her clerkship, started her practice at the firm. Prior to being called to the bar, Laura worked for the Government of Canada and at an administrative commission in the UK.

• Canadian Bar Association, Member

• Arbutus Club, Planning and Development Committee, Member (2017 - 2022)
• Kitsilano Area Child Care Society, Director and Chair (2016 - 2018)
• Justice Education Society, Fundraising Committee Member (2012 - 2016)

• Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys, 2022-2024: recognised as a Future Star
• Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP Prize in Constitutional Law

• Negotiating and drafting environmental remediation and rehabilitation agreements. 
• Negotiating and drafting agreements related to First Nations, including benefit and capacity agreements.
• Representing clients in federal and provincial environmental assessments, including review panel proceedings. 
• Identifying, obtaining and defending permits, including fisheries authorizations, water licences, and land tenures.
• Assisting clients with the conversion of temporary land tenures to more permanent tenures such as leases and statutory rights of way.
• Negotiating consent and non-disturbance agreements for project tenures.
• Drafting indemnities in accordance with the Financial Administration Act, RSBC 1996, c 138 and associated regulations.
• Conducting environmental due diligence as part of a transactional team.
• Drafting internal corporate policies, including environmental and risk-management policies.
• Providing opinions on the interpretation and application of federal and provincial government legislation and policies.
• Providing advice to residential and commercial property owners and developers on their rights and responsibilities concerning contaminated sites.
• Resolving disputes on behalf of project proponents with respect to competing interests in land.
• Acting on behalf of clients in judicial review proceedings.
• Resolving complex litigation disputes relating to the interpretation of commercial agreements, including remediation, royalty and throughput agreements.