Bio
Gavin Fitch is an award-winning lawyer and K.C. working in environmental, regulatory, energy permitting, and Indigenous law. He’s a respected and trusted advisor who provides sound, practical advice geared towards keeping his clients out of the hearing room. When necessary, however, he is a strong and fearless advocate, whether in negotiations or in a courtroom.
His clients include developers, energy producers, environmental monitoring agencies, governments and landowners. For each individual client, Gavin gives realistic and pragmatic advice to outline the best options for a successful outcome.
Gavin’s extensive experience is based in administrative law, whether it relates to municipal, environmental, energy, regulatory, or Indigenous matters. A degree in journalism and his talent for writing give him an advantage in this area of law where most advocacy is written.
In his environmental practice, he knows the important policy issues in detail and understands the delicate balance between environmental impact and economic development. He handles contaminated site litigation, as well as environmental approval and energy permitting processes for companies both provincially and federally under the Impact Assessment Act. Gavin’s experience covers mining projects, electric power facilities, including power plants, transmission lines and hydroelectric projects, as well as oil and gas facilities such as wells, pipelines, and processing plants.
Gavin also handles regulatory law for the environmental and energy sector, including wind farms and solar energy. He regularly represents clients before administrative tribunals such as the Alberta Energy Regulator, the Alberta Utilities Commission, the Canadian Energy Regulator, the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board, the Surface Rights Board, and the Land Compensation Board.
In the complex area of Indigenous law, Gavin assists government agencies with matters including duty to consult and land claims. Notably, he acts as Canada’s Chief Negotiator in several Treaty and self-government negotiations in British Columbia and the Yukon.
Well-known for his practical and pragmatic advice, Gavin also has a talent for coming up with creative and innovative solutions. Thanks to his years of experience, he can pivot, change, and react as things happen in real-time to help his clients reach successful conclusions.