Brenden Hunter practices energy regulatory, Indigenous and environmental law. Frequently appearing before regulatory tribunals, Brenden has extensive project experience, providing representation and assistance to clients in developing and defending applications. Brenden also advises on and assists regulated utilities with their rate related applications, both generic and utility specific.
Brenden’s project experience includes acting for and advising clients regarding:
- electrical (high voltage and distribution) and natural gas transmission facilities
- oil, gas, LNG and NGL pipelines and facilities
- renewable energy projects, including hydroelectric, solar and wind farm projects
- telecommunications facilities
- industrial waste management facilities
Brenden’s rate experience includes proceedings pertaining to rate design, tolls and tariffs and service matters.
Brenden has appearances before the National Energy Board (now the Canada Energy Regulator), Alberta Utilities Commission, Alberta Energy Regulator, BC Utilities Commission, BC Environmental Appeal Board and Manitoba Clean Environment Commission. Brenden advises on municipal development issues, including appearances before municipal subdivision and development appeal boards. Brenden has appeared before all level of Courts in Alberta, as well as before the BC Court of Appeal and Federal Court of Appeal.
Chambers Canada (2022) recognizes Brenden as Up and Coming in Energy: Power (Regulatory) in Canada. Brenden is also recognized in Energy Law by The Best Lawyers in Canada (2022). Brenden was recognized as a Lexpert Rising Star: Leading Lawyer under 40 (2016), as a Leading Lawyer to Watch for Energy (Electricity) in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (2017), as a Future Star by Benchmark Litigation (2019) and as 40 & Under Hotlist by Benchmark Litigation (2020).
Brenden is Cree and a member of one of Alberta’s largest First Nations, Saddle Lake Cree Nation. With extensive experience engaging with First Nations and other Indigenous groups in Canada from coast to coast, Brenden advises on Indigenous consultation issues and negotiates and drafts a variety of agreements on behalf of clients, including joint-venture, partnership, mutual benefit, capacity, environmental and Indigenous traditional knowledge/land use agreements.
In two of the past three years (2020 and 2022), Brenden was named Lawyer of the Year by The Best Lawyers in Canada for Indigenous and First Nations Practice. The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory has recognized Brenden’s work in Indigenous Law since 2018. The Legal 500 Canada has named Brenden as a Tier 1 Next Generation Lawyer for Indigenous Law since 2020.
In 2020, Brenden was appointed as a public member of the Board of Governors of Mount Royal University. Brenden has previously served as a legal member of the Alberta Provincial Court Nominating Committee and a public member on the Board of Governors of Athabasca University.
