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.

Bar Admissions
Alberta (2007)

Education
University of Calgary (LL.B., 2006)
University of Alberta (B.A. Sociology, 2003)

Significant Accomplishments
* Routinely representing Canada's largest oil and gas producer on regulatory, environmental and Indigenous law matters to obtain regulatory approvals on its oil sands, heavy oil, and conventional oil and gas operations, targeted at some of the largest proven oil reserves in the world.
* Representing a North America waste disposal company in the first-ever regulatory appeal hearing before the Alberta Energy Regulator.
* Representing an oil sands operator on a major mine expansion project where the Alberta Energy Regulator dismissed seven Indigenous interventions and approved the project without a hearing.
* Acting as lead environmental counsel to one of Alberta's largest commercial and residential real estate developers in Alberta, including ongoing representation before the Land and Property * * * Rights Tribunal, the Alberta Court of King's Bench and the Alberta Court of Appeal.
* Advising a large global oil and gas company in relation to its oil sands, thermal and conventional crude oil and natural gas projects across Canada.
* Advising international companies on regulatory matters related to the establishment of bitcoin mining operations in Alberta.
* Acting as lead environmental counsel to a major international company in connection with the purchase of several solar power portfolios in Alberta.
* Representing a major utility company in a multi-year application and intensive public hearing before the Alberta Utilities Commission to obtain decommissioning costs for one of Alberta's largest open-pit coal mining operations in Canada.
* Representing an international global upstream and midstream oilfield technology company in matters related to historic contamination and remediation.
* Representing industry clients on various judicial review applications related to the adequacy of Crown Consultation.
* Advising the Government of Alberta in matters related to Crown Consultation and utility matters.
* Representing a mid-stream gas gathering and processing company with its operations in Alberta.
* Representing a major producer on various natural gas projects in the Montney region.
* Representing an Alberta-based oil and gas company in one of the largest administrative penalties levied by the Alberta Energy Regulator in relation to a pipeline spill. Through an intensive six month oral and written advocacy process, the fine levied by the Alberta Energy Regulator was reduced by 70.
* Representing a major utility company on rate regulation and related matters before the Alberta Utilities Commission.
* Conducting significant need and transmission facility hearings as Counsel with the Alberta Utilities Commission, including the Southern Alberta Transmission Reinforcement Needs Application and the Heartland Transmission Project Application, Alberta's first critical transmission infrastructure application.
* Acting as counsel on the Minister of Energy's Order in Council Inquiry on Hydro Electric Power Generation Development in Alberta, published in February, 2011. The terms of reference included a thorough review and analysis of provincial and federal regulatory approval processes including cumulative effects management, the duty to consult First Nations, public consultation and environmental assessments.
* Drafting various regulations and regulatory directives in the energy and utility sectors.

Professional Associations
Recognition and Ranking
* Canadian Law Awards 2026: Female Trailblazer of the Year (Private Practice) - Excellence Awardee
* Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys 2026: Litigation Star
* The Legal 500 Canada 2024-2026: Environment (Next Generation Partner)
* Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys 2021-2025: Recognised as a Future Star
* Avenue Magazine 2009: Named as one of Calgary's Top 40 Under 40
* Alberta Law Foundation Award 2008: Winner
* Judith R. Norman Memorial Award 2008


Professional Activities and Experience
* Canadian Bar Association, National Member
* Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Branch, Member
* Canadian Bar Association, Law Student Section, Past-Chair
* Canadian Bar Association, Articling Student Section, Past-Chair
* Alternative Dispute Resolution, Family/Commercial Mediation, Certified Mediator
* Law Society of Alberta, Member

Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog

Lawson Lundell LLP

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.

Environmental, Indigenous and Natural Resources Blog

Lawson Lundell LLP

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.