Liane Langstaff

Liane Langstaff is a partner in Gowling WLG’s Toronto Environmental Law Group and co-leader of the firm's ESG Advisory Services practice. With her unique blend of education and experience in environmental sciences, business and law, Liane provides strategic regulatory advice and representation to her corporate and municipal clients.

Environmental, constitutional and administrative litigation

Liane has a proven track record of success in achieving her clients' environmental goals and navigating their challenges. She has represented clients in high profile environmental litigation, including representing the Canadian Public Health Association on the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act constitutional cases before the Supreme Court of Canada. She helps her clients grapple with novel and complex legal and environmental issues, including climate change, endangered species, constitutional and administrative law.

Environmental and impact assessment

Leveraging her extensive background in environmental and impact assessments, Liane frequently guides municipalities and businesses on assessments of major infrastructure, energy and mining projects under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act and the federal Impact Assessment Act. Her work in this area led her to co-authoring A Guide to the Impact Assessment Act (2020 Edition).

ESG advisory services

In her ESG Advisory Services practice and as a Climate Governance Expert with the Canada Climate Law Initiative, Liane helps clients navigate the legal and business challenges and opportunities associated with climate change and biodiversity. She has trained legal departments on the duties of in-house and municipal lawyers on ESG, supported the implementation of corporate climate action plans and helped clients protect and leverage forest and farm holdings through carbon offsets.

Thought leadership

As a sought-after writer, speaker and teacher, Liane frequently contributes to legal publications and has been invited to share her insights with leading organizations including the Ontario Bar Association, Women Get on Board, Legal ESG and the Latornell Conservation Symposium. She is passionate about teaching the next generation of environmental professionals as co-instructor of the environmental law course at Osgoode Hall Law School, faculty for Osgoode’s Certificate in ESG, Sustainability Climate Risk and the Law and an instructor for the Governance Professionals of Canada’s Certificate in ESG Governance.

Education

Liane's legal skills were honed as a clerk at the Ontario Court of Appeal. She is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business joint JD/MBA program, where she was awarded the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Scholarship and Hennick Medal for Academic Excellence.