The Best Lawyers® in Canada lists 76 Firm lawyers as leaders in 41 practice areas
In the latest edition of The Best Lawyers® in Canada, 76 lawyers from Stewart McKelvey are listed as leaders in 41 different practice areas. Eight of these individuals have also been recognized as a Best Lawyers™ 2026 “Lawyer of the Year”, which is given to those in each practice and metropolitan area with the highest overall peer feedback. We are also pleased to announce that 27 of our lawyers have been listed as Best Lawyers™ 2026 “Ones to Watch”, which is given to lawyers who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence.
Best Lawyers™ is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Inclusion in Best Lawyers™ is based entirely on peer-review and allows leading lawyers to share their opinion about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical and legal practice area.
Also recognized in Best Lawyers™ 2026 was our colleague and friend Sarah Almon, who passed away earlier this year. She is being recognized posthumously in the Trusts & Estates practice area.
Best Lawyers™ 2026 “Lawyer of the Year”:
Bill Sheppard, St. John’s – Corporate Law
Christine Pound, ICD.D, Halifax – Mergers and Acquisitions Law
James C. Travers, K.C., Charlottetown – Banking and Finance Law
Maureen Ryan, K.C., St. John’s – Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Maurice Chiasson, K.C., Halifax – Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law
Paul L. Coxworthy, St. John’s – Trusts and Estates
Paul Smith, Saint John – Corporate Law
Rory Rogers, K.C., Halifax – Medical Negligence
Best Lawyers™ 2026 “Ones to Watch”:
Adam Downie, Halifax – Construction Law
Andrew Sapiano, Charlottetown – Corporate Governance Practice
Annie Gray, Halifax Labour and Employment Law
Brittany Trafford, Fredericton – Education Law
Christena McIsaac, CPA, CA, Halifax – Corporate Law, Trusts and Estates
Daniel MacKenzie, Halifax – Alternative Dispute Resolution
Danielle Harding, Fredericton – Alternative Dispute Resolution
Dante Manna, Halifax – Employee Benefits Law, Labour and Employment Law
David Wedlake, Halifax – Banking and Finance Law, Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law
Donald Cameron, Charlottetown – Alternative Dispute Resolution
Emily Russell, Fredericton – Corporate Law
Erin McSorley, Halifax – Alternative Dispute Resolution, Insurance Law
Evan MacKnight, Fredericton – Labour and Employment Law
Graham Haynes, Saint John – Tax Law
Jacob Zelman, Charlottetown – Health Care Law
Jamie Watson, Saint John – Medical Negligence
John Morse, Fredericton – Education Law
Julie Young, Moncton – Professional Malpractice Law
Keisha Wright, Halifax – Corporate Law
Killian McParland, Halifax – Employee Benefits Law
Lauren Henderson, Saint John – Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Michelle Chai, Halifax – Alternative Dispute Resolution, Insurance Law
Sarah Walsh, Halifax – Alternative Dispute Resolution, Construction Law
Sean Seviour, Charlottetown – Alternative Dispute Resolution
Simon McCormick, Halifax – Real Estate Law
Stephanie Stapleford, Fredericton – Tax Law
Tyler James, Halifax – Corporate Law