Biography

Spotlight

Praised by interviewees as "fantastic" and "influential" on mandates involving rate design and regulatory compliance, Clara regularly represents clients before provincial regulators in B.C. and Alberta.

Chambers Canada, 2021 Guide

Clara is a leading energy regulatory lawyer who specializes in the power sector. She advises clients on a broad range of matters before regulatory boards and the courts, including market rules and compliance, long-term resource planning, electricity export permits, international power line approvals, rate design and capital project permitting and approvals. Clara acts as counsel for the largest electric utility in British Columbia.

Clara regularly assists clients in proceedings before the utilities commissions of B.C. and Alberta. She also acts for clients with respect to matters before the BC Energy Regulator and Canada Energy Regulator.

Clara has appeared at all levels of the Alberta court, including numerous matters before the Alberta and B.C. Court of Appeal. She has appeared as counsel in proceedings before administrative tribunals in B.C., Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

Professional Activities

  • Law Society of British Columbia, Member
  • Law Society of Alberta, Member
  • Canadian Bar Association, Member
  • Vancouver Bar Association, Member
  • Law Society of Saskatchewan, Member

Recognitions & Rankings

Recognitions & Rankings

  • Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys, 2020-2024: recognised as a Future Star
  • Chambers Global 2024: recognised for Energy: Power (Regulatory) (Band 3)
  • Chambers Canada 2024: recognised for Energy: Power (Regulatory) - Nationwide (Band 3)
  • Best Lawyers in Canada 2024: recognised in Energy Regulatory Law
  • The Legal 500 Canada 2024: recommended as a Leading Individual in the Energy & Natural Resources - Power category
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (2023-2024): recommended as a leading practitioner for Energy (Electricity)
  • The Legal 500 Canada 2022-2023: recommended as a Next Generation Partner in the Energy & Natural Resources - Power category
  • Chambers Canada 2021: recognised for Energy: Power (Regulatory) - Nationwide (Up & Coming); and Energy: Provincial Regulatory - British Columbia (Up & Coming) 
  • Lexpert Special Edition 2019-2020: Leading Canadian Lawyers in Energy
  • 2018 Lexpert Rising Star Award: recognised as one of Canada's Leading Lawyers under 40 

Experience

Experience

  • Counsel to BC Hydro on the acceptance of its 2021 Integrated Resource Plan
  • Counsel to Powerex Corp. on its electricity export permit application(s)
  • Counsel to BC Hydro on the purchase of Teck Resources Limited’s two-third interest in the Waneta Dam
  • Counsel to BC Hydro on various regulatory issues including compliance with mandatory reliability standards
  • Counsel to BC Hydro on its electricity export permit application(s)
  • Counsel to BC Hydro in successfully opposing an application for leave to appeal certain aspects of the BC Utilities Commission’s decision setting rates for the utility’s customers (BCOAPO v. BC Utilities Commission, 2017 BCCA 400)
  • Counsel to BC Hydro on its 2015 Rate Design Application
  • Counsel to a large electric utility in disputes before the BC Oil and Gas Commission and the Oil and Gas Appeal Tribunal regarding risks associated with certain oil and gas-related activities
  • Counsel to parties before the Alberta Utilities Commission in relation to a complaint by Milner Power of the Alberta electric system operator’s loss factor rule and methodology
  • Counsel to Powerex Corp. before the Alberta Court of Appeal with respect to a number of permission to appeal applications in respect of decisions by the Alberta Utilities Commission in the Milner Complaint
  • Counsel to Powerex Corp. before the Alberta Utilities Commission with respect to an application by the Alberta Market Surveillance Administrator regarding the publication by the AESO of the Historical Trading Report

News & Publications

News & Publications

Clara Ferguson, Lawson Lundell Photo
Vancouver
t 604.631.9175
f 604.669.1620
Calgary
t 403.218.7508
f 403.269.9494
* Law Corporation

Assistant Contact

Bar Admissions

  • Alberta (2009)
  • Northwest Territories (2009)
  • British Columbia (2011)
  • Saskatchewan (2023) 

Education

University of British Columbia (B.A., 2001)

Queen’s University (Masters of Public Administration, 2004)

University of Alberta (LL.B., 2008)

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