Keely Cameron, associate in Bennett Jones' Calgary office, won the prestigious Litigation Management Award at the 2019 Western Canadian General Counsel Awards (WCGCA) in Vancouver last night. She was recognized for her outstanding legal strategy, accomplishments and leadership as Legal Counsel with the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER). Keely joined Bennett Jones in September 2019.

In 2018-19, Keely led the AER in its winning case before the Supreme Court of Canada, Orphan Well Association v. Grant Thornton Ltd. (the Redwater decision). In its long-awaited ruling, the Supreme Court held that the AER authoritatively has the power to impose cleanup conditions on a license holder (including a receiver or trustee) and these powers survive bankruptcy. The full impact of Redwater on the regulatory, environmental and commercial landscape in Canada is still unfolding. 

The bi-annual WCGCA is Canada’s national program designed exclusively to recognize excellence in the Western Canadian in-house counsel community. The awards honour counsel from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.