Environment Law – CHARLES KAZAZ JOINS THE BLAKES ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP

MONTRÉAL/TORONTO (February 13, 2012) – Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes), one of Canada’s leading business law firms, today announced that Charles Kazaz has joined the Environmental Group as a Partner in both the Montréal and Toronto offices.

“Charles is one of the leading environmental lawyers in Quebec and is well known across Canada and in the U.S.,” said Brock Gibson, the Firm’s Chair. “In addition, Charles is an expert in mining. Having him join us re-emphasizes the multidisciplinary approach we take here at Blakes, keeping us the number one choice for local, national and international business needs.”

Mr. Kazaz’s practice focuses on all aspects of environmental law. He advises clients in the commercial, industrial, mining and waste-management sectors. Other areas include natural-resource permitting and compliance with mining and forestry regulations. He has advised several major mining companies in matters including mine acquisitions and divestitures, mine reclamation and closure issues, and mineral rights concerns. He has also been involved in negotiating agreements with First Nations.

Mr. Kazaz has been a frequent speaker and has participated in the preparation of several continuing legal education programs in the area of environmental law, particularly regarding contaminated lands. He is past chair of the Canadian Bar Association National Environment, Energy and Resources Law Section, past chair of the Environment Section of the Canadian Bar Association Quebec Division as well as a past member of the Quebec Bar Standing Committee on Environmental Law.

Mr. Kazaz is ranked in many editions of directories and guides, includingThe Lexpert /American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada,The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business and Law Business Research’sThe International Who’s Who of Mining and Environment Lawyers. He was also named the Best Lawyers’ 2010 Montréal Environmental Law Lawyer of the Year.

“Charles is the kind of lawyer who is as comfortable with the directors of big multinationals as he is with leaders of any Quebec inc. company,” said Robert Torralbo, Managing Partner of the Blakes office in Montréal. “In fact, he is as comfortable visiting mines as he is visiting boardrooms. We’re very pleased that he is making the move to Blakes.”

About the Blakes Environmental Group

Blakes has one of the pre-eminent environmental law practices in Canada. Our environmental lawyers are ranked among the leading practitioners in Canada, and the Blakes Environmental Group is one of only two groups in Canada ranked in “Tier 1” in bothChambers Global and PLC Which Lawyer?. Our team provides environmental law advice to clients involved in business and real estate acquisitions, leasing, commercial financing and the development of advanced corporate strategies to minimize exposure to environmental liabilities. Blakes lawyers regularly represent clients in a broad range of sectors in environmental disputes, prosecutions, environmental assessments and hearings. We also provide advice on environmental management and compliance programs, due diligence procedures and training, environmental permitting, new product toxic assessment and regulation, and major project development approvals.

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