Blair C. Yorke-Slader KC
Vice Chair and Partner
Outline
Overview
Client Work
Dow Chemical Canada in its successful C$3.56-billion claim against NOVA Chemicals for breaches of contract
A leading global chemical and technology company, in a successful breach of contract claim of over $3.56-billion, the largest commercial damages award in Canadian history, against the operator of a jointly owned ethylene manufacturing facility. 2025 ABKB 217 and 2025 ABKB 343. See also 2025 ABKB 467, 2025 ABKB 452, 2024 ABCA 278, 2023 ABKB 215, 2023 ABKB 156, 2022 ABQB 422, 2022 ABQB 417, 2022 ABQB 292, 2022 ABQB 237, 2021 ABQB 974, 2021 ABQB 845, 2021 ABQB 784, 2021 ABQB 621, 2021 ABQB 595, 2021 ABQB 167, 2021 ABCA 153, affirming 2020 ABQB 441, 2020 ABCA 320, affirming 2018 ABQB 482, 2015 ABQB 401, 2015 ABQB 81 and 2014 ABCA 244, affirming 2014 ABQB 38.
A syndicate of Canadian office building owners, in a successful $550-million claim against two Chinese state-owned corporations for wrongful termination of long-term lease commitments under allegations of asbestos contamination, 2025 ABKB 145, 2022 ABQB 284, 2020 ABCA 212, 2020 ABQB 224.
A leading global petrochemical company in a successful $43-million arbitration to enforce long-term contracted rights.
A leading global water treatment and construction company, in a successful multi-million dollar oil sands arbitration.
Various shareholder and debentureholder groups, in oppression proceedings in the financial advisory services, technology and real estate development industries. 2016 ABQB 529, 2010 ABQB 647, 2009 ABQB 77
Recognitions & Awards
Chambers Canada
Ranked Band 1, Litigation: General Commercial – Alberta
Chambers Global
Band 4, Disputes Resolution: Litigation
Benchmark Litigation: Canada
Recognized as a Litigation Star
Recognized as one of the Top 50 Trial Lawyers
Recognized as one of the Top 50 Trial Lawyers
Benchmark Litigation: Canada Awards
Energy Litigator of the Year, 2020
Canadian Trial Lawyer of the Year, 2019
Canadian Trial Lawyer of the Year, 2019
The Legal 500 Canada
Hall of Fame Lawyer, Dispute Resolution: Alberta
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Most Frequently Recommended, Litigation - Corporate Commercial
Consistently Recommended, Litigation - Directors' & Officers' Liability
Repeatedly Recommended, Litigation - Securities
Consistently Recommended, Litigation - Directors' & Officers' Liability
Repeatedly Recommended, Litigation - Securities
Related Services
Education & Bar Admissions
Education
- Carleton University, BA, 1979
- Queen's University, LLB, 1982
Bar Admissions
- Alberta, 1983
Insights
Ponzi Schemes (and Other Really Bad Investments) - and What to Do About Them
January 29, 2010
News, Events & Speaking Engagements
Dow Chemical Canada Awarded C$3.56 Billion From Nova Chemicals
June 23, 2025Bennett Jones Team Wins Largest Commercial Damages Award in Canadian History
June 23, 2025Blair Yorke-Slader in Canadian Lawyer on Dow Judgement Against Nova Chemicals
October 5, 2020
Gary S.A. Solway
Partner • Technology, Media and Entertainment, Corporate Commercial and Governance Lawyer
