Lawson Lundell's Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog follows new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. Our goal is to provide a source of valuable information and insight on a wide variety of matters for our readers.
Practice Expertise
- Aboriginal Law
- Administrative Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Constitutional Law
Areas of Practice
- Aboriginal Law
- Administrative Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Constitutional Law
- Employment and Labor
- Energy
- Environmental
- Litigation
- Native Peoples
- Public Law
- Public Utility and Regulatory View More
Profile
Clara is a leading energy regulatory lawyer who specializes in the power sector. She is currently serving as head of the firm's Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group in B.C., managing the litigation departments in those offices. Clara 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. She acts as counsel for a number of western Canadian regulated clients including the largest electric utility in British Columbia.
Clara has extensive experience assisting 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.
Clara is widely recognized for her expertise in energy by a number of legal ranking organizations including Chambers Nationwide and Chambers Global for Energy: Power.
Clara has extensive experience assisting 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.
Clara is widely recognized for her expertise in energy by a number of legal ranking organizations including Chambers Nationwide and Chambers Global for Energy: Power.
Languages
English
Joined the Law Firm in
2009
Bar Admissions
Alberta (2009)
Northwest Territories (2009)
British Columbia (2011)
Education
University of British Columbia (B.A., 2001)
Queen's University (Masters of Public Administration, 2004)
University of Alberta (LL.B., 2008)
Areas of Practice
- Aboriginal Law
- Administrative Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Constitutional Law
- Employment and Labor
- Energy
- Environmental
- Litigation
- Native Peoples
- Public Law
- Public Utility and Regulatory
Professional Career
Significant Accomplishments
* 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
Additional Information
Rankings & Recognition
* Best Lawyers in Canada 2024-2027: Energy Regulatory Law
* Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys 2025-2026: Litigation Star
* Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2023-2026: Energy - Electricity (Leading Practitioner)
* Chambers Global 2024-2026: Energy: Power (Regulatory) (Band 3)
* The Legal 500 Canada 2024-2026: Energy & Natural Resources - Power (Leading Individual)
* Chambers Canada 2024-2026: Energy: Power (Regulatory) - Nationwide (Band 3)
* Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys 2020-2024: Future Star
* The Legal 500 Canada 2022-2023: Energy & Natural Resources - Power (Next Generation Partner)
Professional Activities and Experience
* Law Society of British Columbia, Member
* Law Society of Alberta, Member
* Canadian Bar Association, Member
* Vancouver Bar Association, Member
* Law Society of Saskatchewan, Member
* 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
Additional Information
Rankings & Recognition
* Best Lawyers in Canada 2024-2027: Energy Regulatory Law
* Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys 2025-2026: Litigation Star
* Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2023-2026: Energy - Electricity (Leading Practitioner)
* Chambers Global 2024-2026: Energy: Power (Regulatory) (Band 3)
* The Legal 500 Canada 2024-2026: Energy & Natural Resources - Power (Leading Individual)
* Chambers Canada 2024-2026: Energy: Power (Regulatory) - Nationwide (Band 3)
* Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys 2020-2024: Future Star
* The Legal 500 Canada 2022-2023: Energy & Natural Resources - Power (Next Generation Partner)
Professional Activities and Experience
* Law Society of British Columbia, Member
* Law Society of Alberta, Member
* Canadian Bar Association, Member
* Vancouver Bar Association, Member
* Law Society of Saskatchewan, Member
Blogs
Environmental, Indigenous and Natural Resources Blog
Lawson Lundell's Environmental, Indigenous and Natural Resources Blog focuses on environmental, indigenous and natural resources law, as well as related litigation. Included are summaries of significant cases from Canadian appellate courts, changes in the legal framework governing resource development including energy and climate change policy, and key decisions from the more influential regulatory bodies in Canada.
Labour & Employment Law Blog
Lawson Lundell's Labour and Employment Law Blog provides updates on the most recent legal developments impacting the Canadian workplace and offers practical tips for employers. We cover a range of topics, including labour relations, employment law, collective bargaining, human rights, employment standards, employment equity, workers' compensation, business immigration, privacy, occupational health and safety and pensions and employee benefits.
North of 60 Blog
Our North of 60 Blog provides commentary on current legal trends and developments, and legislative updates affecting businesses in Northern Canada.
Pensions and Employee Benefits Law Blog
Lawson Lundell's Pension and Employee Benefits Law Blog provides updates on the most recent legal developments impacting pension and employee benefit plans. We cover a range of topics, including recent case law and changes to relevant provincial and federal legislation.
Privacy & Data Management Blog
This blog is authored by members of the Privacy & Data Management Department. We follow new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. We follow emerging issues, legal developments, and new technology as they impact privacy and data management. We will focus on how organizations can protect, manage and innovate with information considering the various risks, regulatory and governance requirements.
The Business Law Blog
This blog is authored by members of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department. We intend to follow new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. The wide range of experience among the members of our litigation group will provide a diverse and insightful examination of current legal trends and topics. Our goal is to provide a source of valuable information and insight on a wide variety of matters for our readers.
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