Bio
Environmental law is dynamic and as an experienced environmental and regulatory lawyer, Ron Kruhlak enjoys the challenges of handling new environmental projects with novel issues.
Over the last forty years of practice, he has focused on resource development applications and commercial disputes. He has a knowledge base that covers a broad range of environmental matters, including energy, regulatory, and construction-related projects and conflicts.
On the resource side, Ron assists with current and emerging issues in sectors including mining, oil and gas, and renewable energy and has appeared before a variety of tribunals, appeal boards, and courts in Alberta and elsewhere in Canada. On construction and energy disputes, Ron has acted both as counsel and as an arbitrator in construction and commercial arbitration.
He provides strategic advice to corporations and resource companies involved in stakeholder issues and enforcement proceedings and is a strong advocate on the defence side of complex and often contentious cases involving environmental prosecutions, project applications, regulatory issues and contaminated sites, redevelopment issues, and investigations for oil and gas and other natural resource companies.
Ron has a long history of results in mitigating risk and is well-known for his creative solutions that minimize corporate impact, reputational damage, and legal issues. He works in tandem with in-house lawyers of large corporations and owners and senior management of smaller companies.
In addition to being a trusted advisor to industry, Ron has also acted for regulatory tribunals, and municipal and provincial governments on a wide variety of litigation and administrative hearings on environmental and regulatory issues. He also advises contractors and owners and has handled commercial arbitrations and mediations involving energy, regulatory, and construction disputes.
Clients appreciate Ron’s sincerity and commitment because they know he is truly invested in their success. Especially in long disputes, Ron values the rapport he has with his clients and makes sure they understand the details, the process, the costs, and the resources needed to find resolutions. His combination of good sense and experience allows him to lay out clear expectations and realistic solutions, whether that means forging ahead or finding the best off-ramp to avoid unnecessary and costly battles.
Like the entire team at McLennan Ross, Ron recognizes what is required for exceptional client service. He makes the effort to attend client facilities and tour sites to obtain a full understanding of the operation or the project. All issues are dealt with promptly because he takes any disputes his clients are facing seriously. And if there’s a crisis, he doesn’t just offer help from the end of the phone. Ron will always make sure he’s there in person.