General Information
Overview
Content is provided by the firm.
Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP represents clients on a full range of environment, Aboriginal and energy law issues. Our dedicated legal team includes six Environmental Law Specialists certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada plus lawyers with backgrounds in environmental science and environmental planning.
Willms & Shier is known for its extensive knowledge and innovative solutions in a broad range of practice areas including defence of prosecution, corporate due diligence and risk management, toxic tort litigation, brownfields strategy and contaminated site remediation, environmental assessment and approvals, municipal law, Aboriginal consultation, First Nations development and renewable energy matters. Our leadership and participation at conferences and events help us maintain cutting edge knowledge and analysis of Canada’s changing environmental laws.
Contact Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers. We'll anticipate your environmental law needs, deliver expert advice, on time and on budget, with service and care that exceeds expectations.
Willms & Shier is known for its extensive knowledge and innovative solutions in a broad range of practice areas including defence of prosecution, corporate due diligence and risk management, toxic tort litigation, brownfields strategy and contaminated site remediation, environmental assessment and approvals, municipal law, Aboriginal consultation, First Nations development and renewable energy matters. Our leadership and participation at conferences and events help us maintain cutting edge knowledge and analysis of Canada’s changing environmental laws.
Contact Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers. We'll anticipate your environmental law needs, deliver expert advice, on time and on budget, with service and care that exceeds expectations.
Rankings
Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP is nationally ranked in 2 practice areas and regionally awarded in 3 practice areas. Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.
Read how Best Law Firms ranks firmsNational Rankings
Tier 1
Tier 1 for Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice
Tier 1 for Environmental Law
Regional Rankings
Ottawa
Tier 1 for Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice
Tier 1 for Environmental Law
Toronto
Tier 1 for Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice
Tier 1 for Environmental Law
Tier 3 for Municipal Law
Rankings
National Rankings
Tier 1
Tier 1 for Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice
Tier 1 for Environmental Law
Regional Rankings
Ottawa
Tier 1 for Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice
Tier 1 for Environmental Law
Toronto
Tier 1 for Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice
Tier 1 for Environmental Law
Tier 3 for Municipal Law
Practice Areas
The below are areas of legal specialty volunteered by the firm and do not designate a specialty in which a Best Law Firms ranking is held.
- Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice
- Energy Regulatory Law
- Environmental Law
Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada™
Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP has 9 lawyers recognized for individual performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in
Canada™.
By receiving this Best Lawyers recognition from their peers for their professional excellence, these lawyers made Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP eligible for evaluation for Best Law Firms rankings.
For almost two decades, Best Lawyers has awarded these singular accolades, making them the foundation of our Best Law Firms awards.
Read more about our Best Lawyers process here.
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Main Location
Toronto,
ON
1 Toronto Street, Suite 900
Toronto, ON M5C 2V6
Canada
416-863-0711
Call our Toronto, ON location at 416-863-0711
Get Directions
Get directions to our Toronto, ON location
Office Locations
Ottawa,
ON
123 Slater Street, Suite 700
Ottawa, ON K1P 5H2
Canada
613-761-2424
Call our Ottawa, ON location at 613-761-2424
Get Directions
Get directions to our Ottawa, ON location
Management and Personnel
Partner, Certified Environmental Law Specialist
Julie Abouchar
Partner, Certified Environmental Law Specialist
Marc McAree
Partner, Certified Environmental Law Specialist
John R. Willms
Partner, Certified Environmental Law Specialist
Donna S. K. Shier
Partner
John Georgakopoulos
Partner
Cherie Brant
Partner
Charles Birchall
Contacts
•Environmental Litigation • Contaminated Land & Brownfields • Regulatory Orders & Prosecutions • Environmental Law for Municipalitites • Environmental Management
Marc McAree
Tel: 416-862-4820
•Environmental Litigation • Contaminated Land & Brownfields • Aboriginal Law • Natural Resources Law
Jacquelyn Stevens
Tel: 416-862-4828
•Environmental Law for Municipalities • Regulatory Orders & Prosecutions • Government Policy & Law • Land Use Planning & Development • Aboriginal Law • Energy Law • Natural Resource Law • Clean Technology
Juli Abouchar
Tel: 416-862-4836
•Environmental Law for Municipalities • Environmental Management • Land Use Planning & Development • Regulatory Orders & Prosecutions • Approvals & Compliance • Government Policy & Law
P. Douglas Petrie
Tel: 416-862-4835
•Contaminated Land & Brownfields • Approvals & Compliance • Regulatory Orders & Prosecutions • Environmental Management • Clean Technology • Energy Law (Climate Change) • Environmental Litigation
John Georgakopoulos
Tel: 416-862-4826
•Approvals & Compliance • Contaminated Land & Brownfields • Environmental Law for Municipalities • Environmental Management • Government Policy & Law • Land Use Planning & Development • Natural Resources Law • Regulatory Orders & Prosecutions
John R. Willms
Tel: 416-862-4821
•Aboriginal Law • Renewable Energy Law • Real Estate Law (Financing and Commercial Leasing)
Cherie Brant
Tel: 416-862-4829