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Blair C. Yorke-Slader KC

Vice Chair and Partner

Vice Chair and Partner | Email

T: 403.298.3291

Email

Calgary

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Yorke-Slader Blair
 
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T: 403.298.3291


Email

Calgary

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  • Education
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  • Recent Recognition
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Recognized by Benchmark Canada as Canada's 2019 Trial Lawyer of the Year and 2020 Energy Litigator of the Year, Blair Yorke-Slader is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He is a leading trial and appellate practitioner in high-stakes corporate and commercial litigation, including complex contract, shareholder, partnership and securities disputes. He has broad arbitration experience as counsel and as an arbitrator, and is a speaker and contributor on Appellate Advocacy for the Legal Education Society of Alberta. He is a recipient of the 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and the 2005 Alberta Centennial Medal for outstanding service to the people and province of Alberta.

Chambers Canada

"Blair Yorke-Slader [KC] is highly praised by sources who note his 'confidence and ability to see the whole picture.' He has a long-standing reputation in the energy sector with experience acting on construction-related disputes. He is regarded by commentators as 'one of the best litigators in Alberta.'"

Acritas Star Lawyers

"Phenomenal presence in a courtroom... extremely persuasive... exceptional"

Blair is consistently recommended in Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, Best Lawyers in Canada, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and the Lexpert Guides to Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers, Canada's Leading Energy Lawyers and Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Litigation Lawyers,  Benchmark Canada: The Top 50 Trial Lawyers in Canada, Benchmark Canada: The Definitive Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys, The Legal 500, Acritas Star Lawyers and Leaders League.

Education

Carleton University, BA, 1979 Queen's University, LLB, 1982 

Bar Admissions

Alberta, 1983

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A leading global chemical and technology company, in a successful $1.4-billion breach of contract claim against the operator of a jointly owned ethylene manufacturing facility. 2020 ABCA 320, affirming 2018 ABQB 482. See also 2023 ABKB 156, 2022 ABQB 422, 2022 ABQB 417, 2022 ABQB 292, 2022 ABQB 237, 2021 ABQB 974, 2021 ABQB 845, 2021 ABQB 784, 2021 ABQB 621, 2021 ABQB 595, 2021 ABQB 167, 2021 ABCA 153, affirming 2020 ABQB 441, 2015 ABQB 401, 2015 ABQB 81 and 2014 ABCA 244, affirming 2014 ABQB 38
A syndicate of office building owners, in a successful $550-million claim against two Chinese state-owned corporations for wrongful termination of long-term lease commitments, 2025 ABKB 145, 2022 ABQB 284, 2020 ABCA 212, 2020 ABQB 224
A leading global water treatment and construction company, in a successful multi-million dollar oil sands arbitration
Various shareholder and debentureholder groups, in oppression proceedings in the financial advisory services, technology and real estate development industries. 2016 ABQB 529, 2010 ABQB 647, 2009 ABQB 77
Land developers and owners, in appellate and judicial review proceedings involving decisions of local authorities for municipal planning, development and taxation. 2018 ABQB 983; 2017 ABCA 300; 2006 ABCA 54
A leading global cement manufacturer, in successful multi-million dollar arbitration and appellate proceedings to enforce long-term contractual supply and restrictive covenant rights. 2013 ABQB 413
Leading global energy service companies, in the defence of claims arising from seismic processing, downhole technologies, fracturing and related oilfield applications
Several hundred Concrete Equities investors, in a series of real estate investment partnerships, in BIA and CCAA proceedings including the appointment of a monitor/inspector and, ultimately, the successful exit of the partnerships from CCAA protection and their turnover to new general partners of the investors' choosing. 2012 ABCA 58, affirming 2011 ABQB 338
A large group of investors in an alleged Ponzi-type ticket brokering scheme, including the obtaining of orders for pre-judgment locating and freezing of assets and other extraordinary relief.  2009 ABQB 394, 2009 ABCA 141, 2008 ABQB 216, 2008 ABQB 550
An executrix and sole beneficiary, in estate proceedings to validate and admit to probate a photocopied will pursuant to the Wills and Succession Act.  2016 ABQB 645, restoration of appeal refused 2017 ABCA 376
A landowner, in the successful defence of a claim under a contractual right of first refusal. 2012 ABCA 204, leave to appeal denied SCC No. 35002
A natural foods products company, in a multi-million dollar claim against a multinational food company for misuse of confidential information and breaches of product development and license agreements. 2010 ABCA 169
Various franchisees, in the successful enforcement of statutory disclosure obligations and rights of rescission under the Alberta Franchises Act and Regulation. 2011 ABQB 594, 2008 ABCA 276, affirming 2007 ABQB 686
Various investors in commercial real estate, in actions for the enforcement of purchase and sale agreements. 2011 ABCA 18, 2009 ABQB 167, 2007 ABQB 664, 2006 ABQB 144, 2005 ABCA 127, 2003 ABQB 81; 2003 ABCA 221

Recent Recognition

Chambers Canada
Ranked Band 1, Litigation: General Commercial – Alberta
Chambers Global
Band 4, Disputes Resolution: Litigation
The Legal 500 Canada
Hall of Fame Lawyer, Dispute Resolution: Alberta
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Most Frequently Recommended, Litigation - Corporate Commercial
Consistently Recommended, Litigation - Directors' & Officers' Liability
Repeatedly Recommended, Litigation - Securities
Benchmark Litigation: Canada
Recognized as a Litigation Star
Recognized as one of the Top 50 Trial Lawyers
Benchmark Litigation: Canada Awards
Energy Litigator of the Year, 2020
Canadian Trial Lawyer of the Year, 2019
Best Lawyers in Canada
Recognized for Corporate and Commercial Litigation Law
Leaders League
Ranked, Litigation and Arbitration
LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell
Received a BV Distinguished Peer Review Rating
Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada
Ranked, Litigation - Corporate Commercial
Lexpert Guide to the Leading U.S./Canada Cross-border Litigation Lawyers in Canada
Recognized as one of Canada's leading cross-border litigators
Lexpert/Report on Business Special Edition - Canada's Leading Energy Lawyers
Recognized as a leading energy lawyer in Canada
Lexpert Special Edition: Litigation
Recognized as one of Canada's leading lawyers in litigation

Insights, News & Events

Announcements

Bennett Jones Lawyers Named Among Canada’s Top Litigators By Benchmark Canada

May 01, 2025
       

Client Work

Bennett Jones Litigation Team Wins Major Claim Against China National Offshore Oil Corporation

April 01, 2025
       

Announcements

156 Bennett Jones Lawyers Featured in 2025 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory

March 11, 2025
       

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Appellate Advocacy & Judicial Review
Class Action Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Governance
Energy Litigation
Securities Litigation
Franchising
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