Shailaz practices regulatory and administrative law with a focus on energy, environmental, public utility and Indigenous law matters. She has knowledge and experience navigating complex regulatory processes for various industries and energy development activities including, oil sands mines, pipelines, oil and gas waste disposal, wind-power and solar projects, carbon sequestration projects, transmission lines, power plants and other facilities.
Shailaz represents industry clients at public hearings before various regulatory tribunals including the Alberta Energy Regulator, the Alberta Utilities Commission, the Land and Property Rights Tribunal and the Canadian Energy Regulator. She also represents clients before various government agencies across Canada and has appeared before the Alberta Court of Appeal, the Alberta Provincial Court and the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench. Her clients include the largest independent natural gas and heavy crude oil producer in Canada and several companies in the natural resource and utility sectors in Canada.
Shailaz’s practice also includes providing general and project specific legal advice on issues pertaining to regulatory licensing requirements and environmental assessments, contaminated sites due diligence and remediation, surface rights acquisition and compensation, carbon tax implications and emissions management, Indigenous consultation, and the negotiation and drafting of impact benefit agreement with Indigenous groups.
Shailaz has specific expertise defending industry clients against regulatory objections and has assisted on numerous matters enabling clients to obtain regulatory approvals without a hearing. She also represents clients in relation to spills and regulatory compliance matters and works closely with environmental consultants, engineers and industry experts to prepare applications, regulatory submissions and expert reports. Shailaz also has experience in consumer protection legislation and privacy matters, including the collection, use and disclosure of personal information by the government and the private sector.
Shailaz is the Chair of the firm’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee which is responsible for identifying and guiding the implementation of measures to further advance equity, diversity and inclusion at Lawson Lundell.
Prior to joining Lawson Lundell, Shailaz practiced with a leading national law firm and as legal counsel with the Alberta Utilities Commission.