Patrick Duffy is a partner and Co-Head of the Projects & Infrastructure Group. His practice focuses on project development that includes municipal and planning law, environmental permitting and litigation, energy regulation, and Indigenous engagement. He is highly sought after for his considerable experience with environmental assessments and other regulatory approvals in a variety of sectors, including renewable and non-renewable electricity generation, electricity transmission, mining, transit and transportation, aggregate quarries, and waste management. Patrick also advises clients in responding to environmental inspections, investigations and prosecutions at both the provincial and federal levels.
Patrick is an experienced advocate and has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Canada, all levels of courts in Ontario and a variety of administrative tribunals, including regular appearances before the Ontario Energy Board and the Ontario Land Tribunal. He has acted for both provincial and municipal governments and many of his mandates involve administrative or public law issues, including issues related to public and Indigenous engagement.
Patrick is known for his strength in advising on the business interests of energy clients and handling the full gamut of regulatory proceedings in connection with the development of energy projects. He also has expertise in public procurement processes and has been involved in all stages in a number of sectors on both the customer and bidder side. He helps draft the terms of public procurements, assists proponents in responding to procurements, and represents proponents in procurement-related litigation.
Professional Activities
Patrick is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Law Society of Alberta, the Advocates’ Society and the American Bar Association (Section of Environment, Energy and Resources). He is also a member of the executive of the Aboriginal Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association and is actively involved with the Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot. Patrick is the editor of the firm’s Energy Law blog.
Background
Patrick was the clerk for Mr. Justice Michael Kelen of the Federal Court of Canada, Trial Division, 2002-2003. He served as counsel for the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) during a one-year secondment in 2007 and has completed the Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop and the Canadian Gas Association’s Regulatory Course and a course on Public Procurement Law.