About David Estrin

envirolawcan.com is the professional site of David Estrin, who practices as counsel in the Toronto office of Gowling WLG, formerly known as Gowling Lafleur Henderson. Estrin was called to the Ontario Bar in 1971 and to the Alberta Bar in 1980, after earning a law degree from the University of Alberta. The practice centers on environmental law, environmental assessment, and related administrative and regulatory matters, built over decades appearing before courts and tribunals in Ontario, Alberta, and at the federal level, including the Ontario Environmental Assessment Board, the Ontario Municipal Board, and the Environmental Review Tribunal.

Estrin helped found the Canadian Environmental Law Association in 1971 and served as its first general counsel, and later founded the Canadian Environmental Law Reports. Estrin also contributed to drafting Ontario's Environmental Assessment Act and Environmental Bill of Rights, and is the author of several books on Canadian environmental law, including Business Guide to Environmental Law, which Gowling WLG's website calls an authoritative text on the subject. Estrin has taught environmental and planning law at the University of Waterloo, the University of Western Ontario, the University of Ottawa, and York University, and helped establish Osgoode Hall Law School's Environmental Justice and Sustainability Law Clinical Program.

Milestones & recognition

  • Called to the Ontario Bar in 1971 and the Alberta Bar in 1980, after earning a law degree from the University of Alberta.
  • Practices as counsel in the Toronto office of Gowling WLG, formerly known as Gowling Lafleur Henderson.
  • Author of several books on Canadian environmental law, including Business Guide to Environmental Law, which Gowling WLG's website calls an authoritative text on the subject.
  • Received the Law Society Medal in 2016 for career achievements and community contributions, presented at an awards ceremony at Osgoode Hall.
  • In 2006 the Canadian Bar Association's Environmental, Energy and Resources Law Section established the David Estrin Prize, an annual essay award recognizing student scholarship in environmental, energy, and resources law, in recognition of Estrin's contributions to the field.
  • Serves as a senior research fellow with the Centre for International Governance Innovation's International Law Research Program.

In the community

  • Helped found the Canadian Environmental Law Association in 1971, a non profit legal clinic focused on environmental protection, and served as its first general counsel.
  • Founded the Canadian Environmental Law Reports.
  • Contributed to drafting Ontario's Environmental Assessment Act and Environmental Bill of Rights.
  • Taught environmental and planning law at the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Environmental Studies for more than a decade, and lectured at the University of Western Ontario's Faculty of Engineering Science, the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law, and York University's Faculty of Environmental Studies.
  • Helped establish Osgoode Hall Law School's Environmental Justice and Sustainability Law Clinical Program and later served as its academic co director.

Good to know

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Frequently asked questions

What kind of law does David Estrin practice?
Estrin practices environmental law, environmental assessment, and related administrative and regulatory law, and has appeared as counsel before courts and tribunals in Ontario, Alberta, and at the federal level.
How long has David Estrin practiced environmental law?
Estrin was called to the Ontario Bar in 1971 and has practiced environmental law since then, helping found the Canadian Environmental Law Association that same year.
Has David Estrin written any books on environmental law?
Yes. Estrin is the author of several books on Canadian environmental law, including Business Guide to Environmental Law, which Gowling WLG's website calls an authoritative text on the subject.
Does David Estrin teach environmental law?
Estrin has taught environmental and planning law at the University of Waterloo, the University of Western Ontario, the University of Ottawa, and York University, and helped establish Osgoode Hall Law School's Environmental Justice and Sustainability Law Clinical Program.
Where is David Estrin's office?
Estrin practices as counsel from the Toronto office of Gowling WLG.
Has David Estrin received any professional recognition?
Estrin received the Law Society Medal in 2016 for career achievements and community contributions, and in 2006 the Canadian Bar Association established the David Estrin Prize, an annual student essay award in environmental, energy, and resources law, in recognition of Estrin's contributions to the field.

Where to find them

40 King St W, Toronto, ON M5H 1H1

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