Benchmark Litigation is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Cookies Settings

Laura Warner

JSS Barristers

2026_BM Canada_Litigation Star.png
Position: Partner
Rating:
  • Litigation Star
Practice Areas:
Appellate
Commercial
Jurisdictions:
Biography

Laura maintains a broad civil litigation practice, with particular strengths in appellate advocacy, complex commercial disputes, and judicial review of government decision‑making.

Laura has developed a robust appellate practice and has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. She has extensive experience with leave applications to the Supreme Court of Canada, appeals from masters’ decisions, and appellate strategy, including behind‑the‑scenes co‑counsel work on successful appeals.

In the commercial litigation and arbitration arena, Laura regularly acts in high‑stakes, fact‑ and document‑intensive disputes involving tens of millions of dollars. Her experience includes major acquisition and indemnity litigation, international arbitrations under ICC Rules, complex power and midstream industry arbitrations, shareholder oppression disputes, and public‑interest litigation. She was part of the team representing TotalEnergies EP Canada Ltd. in a fast‑tracked dispute concerning a right of first refusal over a $1‑billion transaction.

Laura also has deep experience in administrative and public law. She was lead counsel in Auer, 2024 SCC 36, in which the Supreme Court of Canada clarified the test for judicial review of regulations. She currently acts in significant judicial review proceedings involving executive decision‑making and municipal governance.

Laura articled with the Alberta Court of Appeal and clerked for Justice Rosalie Abella at the Supreme Court of Canada. She is consistently recognized by Benchmark Litigation, Lexpert, and The Best Lawyers in Canada, and was named Calgary’s 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in Corporate and Commercial Litigation.

A member of the Ringette Canada Hall of Fame, Laura brings elite‑level performance insight, entrepreneurial experience, and disciplined preparation to every file she handles.

Recent matter/case highlights
  • Grenon v. Canada Revenue Agency, 2023 ABKB 707. Counsel for an individual plaintiff in a misfeasance in public office claim arising from Canada Revenue Agency audit, reassessment, and enforcement activities. Successfully resisted a strike application preserving the claim. Following partial success in parallel Tax Court litigation, the civil action was permitted to proceed, including court‑approved amendments.

  • Robert Lehodey et al. Counsel for more than 300 Calgary residents challenging the validity of a city‑wide rezoning bylaw enacted by the City of Calgary. Applicants allege procedural unfairness, including participation by a councillor with a closed mind, and that the City exceeded its statutory authority under the Municipal Government Act.

  • RM Corporation, Jianjun Cui, Tao Li, and Loyal Energy (Canada) Operating Ltd. Counsel for multiple entities in complex multi‑party shareholder litigation arising from investments in the Alberta energy sector. The matter involves four interrelated proceedings under case management, including claims for fraud, misrepresentation, oppression, breach of fiduciary duty, and misappropriation of corporate opportunity.
Key practice areas
  • Appellate
  • Arbitration
  • Commercial disputes
  • Judicial review
Sector expertise
  • Energy
  • Government and public policy
  • Healthcare
  • Insurance
  • Natural resources
  • Oil and gas
Academic qualifications
  • LL.B., University of Alberta, 2009
  • B.A., University of Alberta, 2001
Bar Admissions
  • Alberta, 2010

Address:
800, 304 - 8 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB, T2P 1C2
Tel:+1 403 571 1052 Email:Contact this practitioner Website:https://jssbarristers.ca/litigators/laura-warner/