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Overview

From our Vancouver office, Duncan practices corporate commercial law focused on energy and infrastructure in B.C. and nationally. Duncan is regarded by clients for his dedication, responsiveness, and pragmatism in managing complex transactions. A strong and effective negotiator, and creative problem-solver, Duncan applies critical industry insights and transactional expertise in helping clients realize opportunities and growth.

Duncan has deep experience in acquisitions and divestitures, and restructurings, having participated in the purchase and sale of major energy and infrastructure assets across Canada, both in high-growth and distressed circumstances. 

Duncan has extensive experience in all aspects of project development, including pre-development agreements, co-ownership agreements, services agreements, tendering, and construction. Duncan has led or participated in teams negotiating, amongst other projects: the development of LNG facilities; offshore oil production facilities; pipelines; liquids terminals; and subsurface storage; as well as water transportation, processing, and waste disposal systems; and gas-fueled and renewables-based power generation. Duncan enjoys working with Canadian and international clients to overcome challenges and establish strong contractual foundations for projects ranging from small pilot projects to multi-billion dollar investments.

Duncan has particular sectoral expertise in energy, including, along with traditional oil & gas and power & renewables, nascent asset classes such as hydrogen-fueled and electrified low carbon transportation, decentralized power generation, power storage, and energy efficiency. He is also focused on the development of transportation and trade infrastructure in Canada.

In addition to his corporate commercial skills, clients benefit from Duncan's extensive knowledge of: indigenous and northern law; shipping and maritime law; and water and environmental regulation. 

Duncan is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Glenbow museum. He has assisted in teaching the Energy Law and Environmental Law courses at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law. Duncan is a member of the Canadian Maritime Law Association. He received a Vineberg Travelling Scholarship from McGill for graduate studies at Sciences Po Paris, where he studied international relations and law. Duncan was a Commonwealth Scholar at Oxford where he studied development economics. Prior to legal studies, he was selected for the Recruitment of Policy Leaders program of the Government of Canada in Ottawa, during which he worked on indigenous and northern policy development. Duncan has also worked for indigenous communities in northern Alberta and the Arctic. He completed his law studies at the University of Toronto, with a year spent at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

Client Work

The controlling shareholder of Westbrick Energy in its C$1.075-billion sale to Vermilion Energy.
Parkland Fuel Corporation, with its acquisition of Chevron Canada's Canadian integrated downstream fuel business for $1.460 million plus an estimated $186-million in working capital.
A terminal operator, in liquids terminalling services agreements in Québec.
Encana Corp. in its sale of gas pipeline and processing assets in Western Canada's Montney region to a partnership of Veresen Inc. and KKR & Co. LP for approximately $412 million. Veresen Midstream, a joint venture of Veresen Inc. and KKR & Co. LP, will also invest up to $5 billion to support future production in the Montney, a massive liquids-rich natural gas play that straddles the Alberta-British Columbia border. Veresen Midstream will also provide midstream services to Encana in connection with the acquired and future assets.
A co-venturer, in respect of the negotiation of a major arctic offshore joint venture.
A major international energy company, in respect of a proposed dedicated new Canadian liquids pipeline.

Recognitions & Awards

Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory

Repeatedly Recommended, Energy (Oil & Gas)

Lexpert Special Edition—Canada's Leading Energy Lawyers

Recognized as a leading Energy lawyer 

Lexpert Special Edition

Recognized as a leading Agribusiness and Cannabis lawyer in Canada

Education & Bar Admissions

Education

  • McGill University, BA (Political Science), 1998
  • Institut d'études politiques de Paris (France), CIEP, 1999
  • McGill University, MA (Political Science), 2000
  • University of Oxford (UK), MPhil, 2002
  • University of Toronto, JD, 2006

Bar Admissions

  • Alberta, 2007
  • British Columbia, 2013

News, Events & Speaking Engagements

PlaceholderIn The News

Duncan McPherson on B.C.'s Hydrogen Strategy

July 29, 2021
Duncan McPherson
Duncan McPherson
PlaceholderSpeaking Engagement

Exploring International Energy Investments During and Post Pandemic

March 26, 2021
Duncan McPhersonGreg M. Johnson
Duncan McPherson & Greg M. Johnson
PlaceholderIn The News

Duncan McPherson in GVBOT's COVID-19 Leadership Series

March 17, 2020
Duncan McPherson
Duncan McPherson