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About Jonathan

Jonathan is widely regarded as one of Canada's leading environmental lawyers. For more than 30 years, he has provided representation and advice on a broad range of environmental and natural resources law issues. He chaired the Blakes national Environmental group for more than 10 years.

He routinely represents clients on environmental disputes; the purchase, sale, and remediation of contaminated land; mining regulation and permitting; ESG and sustainability issues; management of natural resources; the transportation, handling and disposal of hazardous substances; environmental permitting; municipal and planning law; air, water and waste regulation; lender liability; and other environmental matters.

Jonathan's wide-ranging expertise also includes representing accused corporations in some of Canada's most significant environmental prosecutions, acting for proponents in major mining, renewable energy and infrastructure projects, and providing environmental law advice on some of Canada's biggest deals. Jonathan's clients span a wide spectrum of industries, including chemical, mining, construction, oil and gas, transportation, general manufacturing, automotive, food and beverage and agribusiness.

Awards & Recognition

Jonathan is recognized as a leading Canadian environmental lawyer in industry publications including:

  • Lexpert Special Edition: Energy – 2021, 2023–2025

  • The Legal 500 Canada – 2023–2025 (Hall of Fame – Environment)

  • The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory – 2021–2026 (Most Frequently Recommended – Environmental Law)

  • Chambers Canada Legal Guide – 20192025 (Band 1 – Environment)

  • Chambers Global Legal Guide – 2019–2026 (Band 1 – Environment: Canada)

  • The Best Lawyers in Canada – 2006–2025 (Environmental Law)

  • Lexpert's Leading 500 Cross-Border Lawyers: A Guide to Doing Business in Canada – 2021–2024 (Environment)

  • Lexology Index: Environment – 2021–2022, 2024

  • Lexology Index: Canada – 2021–2022, 2024 (Climate Change, Environment)

  • Lexpert Special Edition: Mining – 2021, 20232024

  • Lexology Index Thought Leaders: Global Elite – 2018–2020

  • Lexology Index: Environment (one of 15 "Most Highly Regarded Individuals" globally in multiple editions)

  • Who's Who Legal Awards 2018 (Global Environmental Lawyer of the Year)

  • Euromoney LMG's Guide to the World's Leading Environment Lawyers 2018

Professional Activities

Jonathan is a former chair of the American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy and Resources Law, the only non-American to have served on that organization's Executive Committee. In 2011, he was the first non-American to chair the ABA's Annual Conference on Environmental Law.

Jonathan served as chair of the National Environment, Energy and Resources Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association in 2012–2013. He is also a former chair of the Environmental Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association.

Publications
Education

Admitted to the Ontario Bar – 1988
LLB, University of Toronto – 1986
BA, Tufts University – 1982

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