Daigneault Avocats Inc. (Montreal)
Biologist Robert Daigneault established his firm in 2001, intending to operate as a sole practitioner. But after three years, demand for his services had led to hiring three more lawyers, and the firm now has five. Clientele ranges from the local service station to large multinational firms. Daigneault, a former legal counsel to the Quebec Department of Environment, is the author of the standard French-language legal reference text on federal and Quebec environmental law. Voters credited Daigneault for skilful work on projects involving shores and flood plains, along with expertise on waste-management matters. www.rdaigneault.com

Dianne Saxe Professional Corp. (Toronto)

Dianne Saxe is a former prosecutor with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and the author of the standard reference book Ontario Environmental Protection Act Annotated. She is also a certified specialist in environmental law, and has a doctorate in the subject. Since opening her own firm in 1991, Saxe has attracted a deep client list that includes municipalities, two of the world’s largest food companies, a major paper manufacturer, brownfield developers, environmental consultants, and many others. She also maintains a popular environmental law blog at her firm’s web site www.envirolaw.com.

Houlihan & Associates (Vancouver)
Patricia Houlihan has become the go-to lawyer for clients in Vancouver looking for a boutique option since opening shop in 1999. Houlihan cut her teeth with McCarthy Tétrault LLP, and spent five years leading the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund with West Coast Environmental Law, a pro bono organization. She has also gained respect for her service to the profession as a past chairwoman of the Canadian Bar Association’s environmental law section, and as a professor at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law, Kwantlen University, and the B.C. Institute of Technology. Houlihan has done environmental work internationally and has spoken at conferences around the world. www.envirolegal.ca

Sodavex s.e.n.c.r.l. (Montreal)

This firm may be the new kid on the block in Montreal, but with three experienced environmental lawyers from large Canadian firms, it received praise from voters for top-notch expertise. The firm set up shop in late 2009 when Mira Gauvin left McCarthy Tétrault’s Montreal office, and was joined by former Borden Ladner Gervais LLP lawyers Christine Duchaine and Anne-Marie McSween. Top clients include WM Québec Inc., Park’N Fly, Staples Canada Inc., and other clients in the environmental industry such as Consultants Enviroconseil Inc. and Gestion Intégrée de Matériaux Secs Lanaudière Inc. While the partners are currently focused on showcasing their skills on both the litigation and commercial sides of environmental law, expansion may be on the horizon if all goes as planned. www.sodavex.com

Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP (Toronto)
This Toronto firm has spent over 30 years helping companies and municipalities manage environmental law issues. Over that period, partners Donna Shier and John Willms have developed reputations as two of Canada’s foremost counsel in the specialty area, and their firm now consists of a stable of 12 lawyers. Most of the boutique’s clients are from the private sector, with the bulk of those matters involving issues with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. Brownfields and contaminated lands work also helps keep Willms & Shier one of the country’s busiest environmental law boutiques. www.willmsshier.com