National (August 13, 2026) – Benchmark Litigation has recognized 15 BLG lawyers across select 2026 Canadian lists: seven in the Top 40 and Under and eight in the Top 100 Women in Litigation, doubling BLG's representation on the Top 40 and Under list from 2025.
Recognized lawyers
Benchmark’s Top 40 and Under
- Maureen Doherty
- Karine Fahmy
- Curtis Fawcett
- Glenn Gibson
- Shelby Liesch
- Teagan Markin
- Graham Splawski
Benchmark’s Top 100 Women in Litigation
- Cynthia Clarke
- Kirsten Crain
- Kate Crawford
- Nadia Effendi
- Michelle Maniago
- Sarah McEachern
- Patricia (Trish) Morrison, KC
- Caitlin Sainsbury
Published annually, the Top 40 and Under recognizes the best and brightest litigators under 40 across the country. The Top 100 Women in Litigation identifies the most distinguished and highly recommended female litigators in Canada. Both of these lists are assessed through case reviews, peer feedback and one-on-one client interviews.
BLG's 15 recognized lawyers reflect the Firm's national depth across public interest and constitutional litigation, securities enforcement, class action defence, administrative law, construction and surety and international arbitration.
Recent mandates handled by BLG's recognized lawyers include:
Future of Sport in Canada Commission
BLG serves as lead counsel to the Commissioner of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission (the Commission), an independent federal inquiry examining systemic maltreatment in Canadian sport. The BLG team led cross-country consultations with hundreds of stakeholders, advised on constitutional law, privacy and public law and co-authored the Commission's preliminary and final reports. The Commission's final report was published on March 24, 2026.
Constitutional litigation
BLG represents the Attorney General of Canada in its Supreme Court of Canada (the Court) intervention in the challenge to Québec's Act respecting the laicity of the State (Bill 21), addressing constitutional limits on legislative use of the notwithstanding clause under section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Court's decision, expected in 2026, could reshape the law governing judicial oversight of legislation invoking section 33.
Transportation and administrative law
BLG acts for Canadian National Railway Company in multiple judicial reviews before the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada (the Supreme Court). In February 2026, the Supreme Court granted leave to appeal on a constitutional question concerning the scope of judicial review under the Constitution Act, 1867. BLG also successfully established before the Federal Court of Appeal that the Canadian Transportation Agency's (the Agency) decades-old interswitching rate methodology failed to meet the commercial fairness standard required under the Canada Transportation Act, requiring the Agency to revise its approach.
International arbitration enforcement
BLG acts for the Devas Investors in recognition and enforcement proceedings of two investor-state arbitral awards against India totalling over US$110 million before the courts of Québec. In December 2024, the Québec Court of Appeal confirmed that India had expressly waived its jurisdictional immunity and reinstated a seizure before judgment of US$37.5 million. The Supreme Court of Canada denied India's leave to appeal in September 2025, making the Court of Appeal's decision final.
Construction and surety
BLG represents all national and international sureties operating in Canada, as well as owners, contractors and other construction industry participants in bond claims, complex construction disputes and insolvency matters arising across all project types and jurisdictions. BLG has more lawyers recognized as Fellows of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers than any other Canadian law firm.
Corporate governance and securities disputes
BLG acted for CANEX Metals Inc. in the first hostile take-over bid ever launched against a cease-traded issuer in Canada. BLG obtained ex parte and interim restraining orders before the Supreme Court of British Columbia, which granted all relief sought, including an order calling an annual general meeting of Gold Basin Resources Corporation shareholders. The decision enforced statutory corporate governance obligations and protected shareholder rights in the context of a contested corporate control transaction.