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Radha D. Curpen

Vancouver Managing Partner

Co-Head, Environmental and Aboriginal Law

Co-Head, Environmental and Aboriginal Law |

T: 604.891.5158

M: 647.618.6654

Vancouver

Curpen Radha
 
  • Recent Experience
  • Recent Recognition
  • Insights, News & Events
  • Related Services

T: 604.891.5158

M: 647.618.6654


Vancouver

  • Education
  • Bar Admissions
  • Recent Experience
  • Recent Recognition
  • Insights, News & Events
  • Related Services
  • Recent Experience
  • Recent Recognition
  • Insights, News & Events
  • Related Services

Radha is the managing partner of Bennett Jones’ Vancouver office and co-head of the firm's Environmental Law practice and Aboriginal Law practice. She specializes in Environmental, Aboriginal, ESG and the transportation of dangerous goods. Radha provides strategic counsel to clients relating to regulatory compliance, the management of environmental risks, the defence of environmental litigation, the avoidance and defence of environmental related prosecutions, crisis prevention and management, corporate social responsibility, mitigating business disruption and reputation management.

She has significant experience in and regularly advises corporations, Boards of Directors and Special Committees in connection with internal and regulatory investigations, governance, ESG and risk assessments.

She has led or been involved in recent high profile cases. She led the defence of the regulatory investigation arising out of the Lac Mégantic train derailment on behalf of an oil company. She is the lead counsel for a multinational company relating to mercury contamination in a high profile case in Ontario involving various First Nations. She was also involved in the defence of the diesel emissions case

Proficient in both French and English, Radha practices across Canada and in the United States, acting as strategic counsel to boards, executives and management teams. 

Chambers Global

“Radha is extraordinary.”
“Radha is a fierce advocate—very protective of her clients and goes above and beyond expectations.”

She has worked in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, British Columbia, Alberta, the Atlantic Provinces and in the United States. She has a diverse environmental practice ranging from obtaining approvals for projects, involvement in regulatory proceedings, negotiating with regulators, leading arbitration, and leading the defence of civil and quasi-criminal litigation, assisting in developing protective measures in transactions and addressing contaminated sites issues in multiple jurisdictions, assisting clients in developing systems for compliance and strategic advice on preventative measures. Radha was involved in the creation of the Contaminated Sites legislation in Manitoba in the 1990s.

Radha joined the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade in September 2017 as a Director and in 2018 became a member of the Executive Committee. In 2019, Radha joined the board of directors for Windmill Microlending. Radha joined the Board Of Governors for the Business Council of BC (BCBC) in May 2020. Radha has also served as a member of the YWCA of Metro Vancouver's Culture Shift Advisory Council.

Radha was an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto Faculty Of Law for the Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility course.

Radha was a sessional lecturer at Robson Hall Faculty of Law for the environmental law course.

To complement her practice, Radha is a member of the American Bar Association and the International Bar Association.

Radha is fluent in English and French.

Education

College Universitaire de Saint Boniface/University of Manitoba, BA L'Universite; de Moncton, LLB 

Bar Admissions

Manitoba Ontario New York British Columbia 

Recent Experience

Stone Canyon Industries Holdings LLC and Kissner Group Holdings, as Canadian counsel, in their US$3.2-billion agreement to acquire K+S Aktiengesellschaft's North and South American salt business, including Morton Salt and Windsor Salt.
Riverstone Holdings LLC, as Canadian counsel, in its acquisition of International-Matex Tank Terminals from Macquarie Infrastructure Corporation for US$2.67 billion.
Global Container Terminals, advising on their proposed development of Deltaport Expansion Berth 4 project.
Advised clients as a member of the strategic team in defending class actions relating to incidents in various sectors.
Advised clients in various industrial sectors and led the preparation for regulatory investigations, strategy during and after regulatory investigations and the defence of such regulatory investigations.
Advised clients in project development and approval including with various levels of government and Indigenous communities.
Advised a utility relating to hydro-electric mitigation projects that required federal and provincial environmental assessments and consultation with First Nations and all related agencies.
Advised a First Nation in Ontario relating to its negotiations with a mining company arising out of the development of a mining project
Advised a First Nation in Quebec on self-government issues, including appearance and obtaining court orders at the Federal Court.
Advised industry on aboriginal issues and duty to consult relating to specific projects.  
One of the lead counsel in the defence of a multi-million dollar arbitration commenced by a government on behalf of various First Nations dealing with, among others, environmental and aboriginal issues and impacts of a project on First Nations.
Advised industry on both federal and provincial environmental assessment issues in the context of resource development. 
Advised a proponent of a soil treatment facility in managing environmental assessment and aboriginal issues.
Advised purchasers or vendors in various financial and industrial sectors, including agriculture, Brownfields redevelopment, chemical companies, energy, manufacturing, mining oil & gas, Port operations, forestry, pulp & paper, shipbuilding, transportation, waste, waste management & wind power, on significant commercial transactions and regulatory issues in all provinces and the United States.
Advised manufacturers, pulp and paper mills operators, oil companies and clients in other industrial sectors in their disputes arising out of purchase and sale agreements involving sites in, among other places, Ontario, Manitoba, Italy and dealing with environmental issues. 
Advised various industrial operators, owners and occupiers in the defense and resolution of many civil litigation cases dealing with contaminated sites in various provinces in Canada.
Assisted a client in successfully negotiating an innovative and cost-effective approach to on-site remediation of a large contaminated industrial site after the regulator decided to order the company to “dig and haul away.”
Defended and settled numerous environmental cases with complex issues, including claims for stigma, remediation, migration of contamination to neighbouring properties. 
Assisted a client in managing regulatory issues on more than 600 sites in several provinces, including successfully negotiating with regulators in many provinces.
Assisted a company in obtaining approval for remediation of a former industrial site and for the change in use of a site which is adjacent to residential developments.
Successfully settled civil litigation cases dealing with contaminated sites.
Successfully persuading the regulator to withdraw administrative orders issued relating to contaminated sites and their remediation.
Defended claims relating to environmental issues by various clients in various industrial sectors arising out of purchase and sale agreements.
Advised clients in different sectors on climate change considerations in the context of commercial transactions.
Advised issuers and underwriters regarding disclosure issues on climate change.
Advised clients in different industrial sectors in the development of corporate strategies on climate change.
Advised clients on emerging environmental issues and assisting in the development of corporate strategies to integrate the requirements of both Canadian and US laws.
Advised clients on integrating compliance with the requirements of both Canadian and US laws relating to specific emissions to the environment.
Advised clients on the implementation of their environmental management systems in both Canada and the United States.
Persuaded a regulator to enter into innovative agreements to effectively limit the liability of purchasers and lenders of industrial and commercial operations, which allowed commercial transactions to proceed. 
Developed a strategy for one client to deal with regulators on significant environmental issues from British Columbia to Québec. 
Advised Board of Directors on corporate governance issues relating to environmental matters.
Advised issuers of bonds and equity on environmental disclosure issues. 
Advised several clients in preparing for inspections and investigations in more than one province. 
Persuaded a regulator to not prosecute a company and its directors after the company was accused of dumping dangerous goods. 
Successfully defended a quasi-criminal prosecution of a company and its director by making a preliminary motion for dismissal on the basis that the environmental officer’s notes were not available to the defence.
Guided lenders in the realization of the assets of indebted polluters and negotiated agreements with the regulators limiting the lenders’ liability. 
Assisted in the development and implementation of due diligence program for certain companies. 
Prepared environmental handbooks for employees of specific industries. 
Presented environmental seminars to employees of various industries. 
Assisted lenders in developing due diligence programs in their lending operations. 
Successfully persuaded the regulator to reverse its decision of not granting a licence to a waste disposal operation. 
Successfully persuaded the regulator to consider an addition to an existing industrial facility as a change in process, which received the regulator’s written approval as opposed to a development requiring a licensing process. 
Member of the Advisory Committee on Contaminated Sites in Manitoba which led to The Contaminated Sites Remediation Act of Manitoba.
Member of the Consultation on sustainable Development Implementation Core Group, an advisory body to the Ministry responsible for Sustainable Development (Manitoba). 
Resource person to the core group advising the Minister of Conservation (Manitoba) on proposed revisions to The Environmental Act (Manitoba). 
Member of the Committee of the Executive of the Ontario Bar Association dealing with the proposed Brownfields Legislation (Ontario).
Appointed resource person to the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment’s task force on Brownfields (August 2004). The task force was comprised of Ministry of Environment officials across Canada who advised the ministers on, among other things, transfer of liability issues in order to encourage brownfield development.

Recent Recognition

Chambers Canada
Ranked, Environment
Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business
Ranked, Environment
The Legal 500 Canada
Leading Lawyer, Environment
Leading Lawyer, Aboriginal Law
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Repeatedly recommended, Indigenous Law
Repeatedly recommended, Energy (Oil & Gas)
Best Lawyers in Canada
Recognized as one of Canada's leading Environmental lawyers
Finance Monthly
Environment - Lawyer of the Year - Canada
Lexpert/Report on Business Special Edition - Canada's Leading Energy Lawyers
Recognized as a leading Energy lawyer in Canada
Lexpert/Report on Business Special Edition - Canada's Leading Infrastructure Lawyers
Recognized as a leading Infrastructure lawyer in Canada
Lexpert/Report on Business Special Edition - Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers
Recognized as a leading Litigation lawyer in Canada
Lexpert Special Edition on Agribusiness & Cannabis
Recognized as one of Canada's leading lawyers in Agribusiness and Cannabis
Who's Who Legal: Canada
Recognized as a leading lawyer in the area of Environmental Law
Who's Who Legal: Environment
Recognized as one of world's leading Environmental lawyers

Insights, News & Events

Announcements

ESG Series: Defining and Driving ESG Within Your Organization

January 08, 2021
       

In the News

Radha Curpen on Values, Mentorship and Overcoming Barriers

January 07, 2021
       

Blog

The Power of Now in Canada's Energy Industry

December 22, 2020
       

Blog

Canada's Hydrogen Strategy

December 17, 2020
       

Articles

Radha Curpen on the Road to Success For B.C.'s Energy Industry

December 09, 2020
       

Blog

Federal Government Fulfills Promise to Introduce UNDRIP Legislation

December 04, 2020
       

Blog

A Renewed Effort to Introduce Legislation to Combat Modern Slavery in Corporate Supply Chains

December 02, 2020
       

Announcements

Radha Curpen Named a 2020 Stronger Together Award Winner for British Columbia

December 02, 2020
       
2020
Dec
01
       

Event

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Energy Forum

Announcements

40 Bennett Jones Lawyers in Lexpert's Special Edition on Litigation

November 27, 2020
       

Blog

Federal Government introduces Bill C-12 to Mandate 2050 Net-Zero Emission Requirements

November 20, 2020
       

Blog

Corporations are not Entitled to the Constitutional Right Against Cruel and Unusual Punishment

November 10, 2020
       

Speaking Engagements

Institute of Corporate Directors - Climate Change and Competitiveness in Canada

November 10, 2020
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones Leads Canada in Energy Law

October 27, 2020
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones Advises on $3.2-Billion Agreement to Acquire K+S Americas Salt Business, Including Morton Salt and Windsor Salt

October 05, 2020
       

Blog

The Government of Canada Announces $10-Billion Infrastructure Growth Plan

October 02, 2020
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones is Recognized in Chambers Canada 2021

September 10, 2020
       

Announcements

39 Bennett Jones Lawyers Ranked as Infrastructure Leaders

September 03, 2020
       

Speaking Engagements

Radha Curpen and Sharon Singh on Recovering and Rebuilding From COVID-19

July 08, 2020
       

Announcements

21 Bennett Jones Lawyers in Lexpert's Agribusiness and Cannabis 2020

June 11, 2020
       

Blog

Deadline for the Implementation of Environmental Emergency Plans Fast Approaching

June 08, 2020
       

Blog

Environmental, Social and Governance Considerations and the Investor Perspective

June 03, 2020
       

Blog

Memorandum of Understanding on Wet'suwet'en Rights and Title—An Ambitious Plan

June 03, 2020
       

Announcements

Radha Curpen Appointed to Board of Governors of BCBC

May 04, 2020
       

Blog

Consultation and Engagement with Indigenous Peoples During COVID-19

April 24, 2020
       

Blog

New Exemptions and Specific Requirements for Producing and Transporting Hand Sanitizer During COVID-19

April 15, 2020
       

Blog

B.C.'s Use of Extraordinary Powers and the Implications on Businesses in the Supply Chain

March 30, 2020
       

Blog

Environmental and Regulatory Compliance Issues for the Natural Resources Sectors during COVID-19

March 25, 2020
       

Blog

Leading Through COVID-19—Partnerships, Communities, Suppliers and Stakeholders

March 19, 2020
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones COVID-19 Resource Centre

March 18, 2020
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones in Chambers Global 2020

February 13, 2020
       

In the News

Radha Curpen CSR and Indigenous Rights

December 13, 2019
       

Articles

British Columbia's UNDRIP Legislation - A Framework to Advance

December 04, 2019
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones: Canada’s Leading Litigation Lawyers

November 29, 2019
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones is Top-Tier in The Legal 500

November 18, 2019
       

Blog

British Columbia's UNDRIP Legislation—A Framework to Advance Reconciliation

November 12, 2019
       

Announcements

Lexpert Ranks 28 Bennett Jones Lawyers as Infrastructure Leaders

September 27, 2019
       

Articles

The Lawyer’s Corporate Social Responsibility Deskbook: Practical Guidance for Corporate Counsel and Law Firms

September 06, 2019
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones Leads Canada in Energy Law

September 03, 2019
       

Speaking Engagements

Lessons in Leadership

May 09, 2019
       

Announcements

Radha Curpen One of B.C.'s Most Influential Women

February 25, 2019
       

Blog

British Columbia to Introduce UNDRIP Legislation

February 21, 2019
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones in Chambers Global 2019

February 14, 2019
       

Blog

B.C. “Revitalized” Environmental Assessment Regime—The Path Ahead

January 10, 2019
       

Blog

Bill C-423: Private Member’s Bill Targets Modern Slavery in Supply Chains

January 04, 2019
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones—Lexpert’s Leading Canadian Litigation Lawyers

November 30, 2018
       

Blog

Lobbying in British Columbia—Pending Changes to the Lobbyists Registration Act

November 01, 2018
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2018

November 01, 2018
       

In the News

Radha Curpen on Bennett Jones, Vancouver and China

August 16, 2018
       

In the News

The Lawyer’s Daily on Bennett Jones and MOI Merger

April 13, 2018
       

In the News

Canadian Lawyer on Bennett Jones Merger with Vancouver's MOI

April 05, 2018
       

In the News

Radha Curpen in American Lawyer on Bennett Jones-MOI Merger

April 05, 2018
       

Blog

A New Federal Framework on the Recognition and Implementation of Indigenous Rights

February 23, 2018
       

Articles

BC Seeks Feedback on Second Phase of the Spill Response Regime

February 13, 2018
       

Blog

BC Seeks Feedback and Engagement on Second Phase of the Spill Response Regime

February 05, 2018
       

Blog

Navigating the Way Forward at GVBOT Energy Forum

December 20, 2017
       

Blog

Canada Supports UNDRIP Implementation Bill

December 06, 2017
       

In the News

Radha Curpen Q&A with Greater Vancouver Board of Trade

October 10, 2017
       

Speaking Engagements

Radha Curpen Co-Chairs Women2Women in Asia Pacific

September 06, 2017
       

Blog

The National Energy Board's Role in Crown Consultation

July 27, 2017
       

In the News

Radha Curpen on Conversation That Matters: Social License

April 15, 2017
       

Announcements

Four Bennett Jones Practices Ranked Band 1 by Chambers Global 2017

March 16, 2017
       

Announcements

Award Winning Women of Bennett Jones

November 10, 2016
       

In the News

Radha Curpen on Cover of Lexpert Special Edition on Energy

October 27, 2016
       

Updates

Federal Court of Appeal: Government Failed to Adequately Consult with First Nations on Northern Gateway

July 25, 2016
       

In the News

National Post on Radha Curpen: New Managing Partner of Vancouver Office

June 28, 2016
       

Announcements

Radha Curpen new managing partner of Bennett Jones Vancouver office

June 13, 2016
       

Blog

Northern Gateway: British Columbia must Issue its Own Approval and Consult with First Nations

February 22, 2016
       

Updates

Northern Gateway: BC Supreme Court Rules that British Columbia Must Issue its Own EA Decision and Consult First Nations

February 09, 2016
       

Related Services

Environmental Law
Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG)
Aboriginal Law
Regulatory
Automotive
Energy
Climate Change

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