G. John Samms

Partner and Energy Team Lead

• Suite 1100, Cabot Place
  100 New Gower St.
  St. John’s, N.L.
  A1C 6K3
• +1.709.570.8891
• +1.709.722.4565
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Language(s) spoken: English

Bar Admission(s): Newfoundland and Labrador, 2016

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Legal Assistant(s): Sharon Tucker

John leads multi-disciplinary teams of Stewart McKelvey experts in major energy projects, natural resource and environmental matters, labour and employment in the major project/construction context, and commercial litigation.

Previously recognized as a “Leading Lawyer to Watch” in Energy, John’s diverse specializations in regulatory, constitutional/administrative law together with his robust litigation experience make him a versatile asset for major energy proponents, suppliers, industry associations, and public bodies. John frequently advises on major transactions, supporting the Firm’s M&A and corporate/commercial lawyers on his areas of expertise. John is a thought leader on Canada’s energy transition.

Before joining Stewart McKelvey in 2019, John worked for the provincial government of Newfoundland and Labrador, where he served on the Province’s lead negotiation team for the $2.5B Atlantic Accord renewal as well as the Province’s Collective Bargaining Steering Committee, among other things. John previously taught at Memorial University of Newfoundland, having taught “Law, Governance and Public Policy” as well as “Constitutional Law”.

John has appeared at all levels of Court in Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario. John has filed hundreds of civil actions in Newfoundland and Labrador. His publicly known representative experience includes:

• Successfully obtaining an emergency injunction order on behalf of all snow crab producers in Newfoundland and Labrador against an illegal strike by fish harvesters in 2026;
• Successfully obtaining an emergency certiorari order against the Minister responsible for the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act in 2025;
• Successfully acted as co-counsel for the Attorney General of Newfoundland and Labrador in Sierra Club Foundation v Canada (Environment and Climate Change), in which the Court dismissed an appeal relating to exemptions for exploratory drilling activities from certain requirements under the Impact Assessment Act;
• Successfully obtaining a finding of an illegal strike in a landmark arbitration decision in 2023;
• Successfully representing the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador against an application for a recount following the 2021 provincial election;
• Successfully representing the Toronto Maple Leafs’ ECHL affiliate, the Newfoundland Growlers, in a highly publicized lease dispute with St. John’s Sports and Entertainment Limited; and
• Successfully defended against multiple challenges to a development in the St. John’s Battery region.