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 Canada Energy Regulator (formerly the National Energy Board), 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.
Brenden has been ranked nationally by Chambers Canada since 2022 for Energy: Power (Regulatory) in Canada. Brenden is also recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada in Energy Law (2024) and Energy Regulatory Law (2024). Brenden is ranked as a leading lawyer in the Canadian Legal Lexpert directory, being “consistently recommended” in Energy (Electricity) and was previously recognized as a Lexpert Rising Star: Leading Lawyer under 40 (2016). Brenden was also identified as a Future Star (2019) and in the 40 & Under Hotlist by Benchmark Litigation (2020). Thomson Reuters recognizes Brenden as a Stand-out Lawyer (2024).
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 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, where he is listed as "repeatedly recommended". The Legal 500 Canada has named Brenden as a Tier 1 Next Generation Lawyer for Indigenous Law since 2020.
In 2024, Brenden was re-appointed as a public member of the Board of Governors of Mount Royal University for a second term. 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.
