Expertise, Experience
and Wisdom

Our national reputation is based on the expertise, experience and personal attention of each of our lawyers

Lidstone & Company Law Corporation is a local government law firm with offices in British Columbia and Alberta. Each of our lawyers has specialized knowledge and particular expertise in areas of municipal law, and collaborates closely with local government officials. We act as if we are In-House Counsel, in terms of response times and care and concern.


Each lawyer acts in areas of deep local government expertise. Our five senior lawyers have over 150 years of combined experience, and the lawyers altogether have over 200 Years of experience. Our proactive, preventative approach reduces risk, and we are known for problem solving.

We do not have conflicts of interest. Lidstone & Company does not act for developers, realtors, banks, resource companies, interest groups, etc. We look after local government. Period.

Our lawyers have exceptional academic and professional credentials. We have precedents for all subject matters, and extraordinary library and research facilities.

Lidstone & Company has a reputation for successful litigation - defending claims, defending bylaws, and enforcing bylaws. This is because we have dedicated litigation lawyers, and not just municipal lawyers who litigate when necessary.

Lidstone & Company provides special services without charge to our clients, including quarterly newsletters, regular bulletins, annual client seminars, in-house workshops, templates and checklists.

Lidstone & Company acts only for municipalities, and on occasion acts for entities that serve special local government purposes, such as regional districts, counties, local government authorities, boards, commissions, corporation, societies, or agencies, including police forces and library boards.

Areas of Expertise
  • Drafting and reviewing bylaws, agreements, contracts and other legal documents on any subject
  • Preparation of contracts and other related documents for sale, lease or purchase of land
  • Preparation of formal opinions on the legal ramifications and implications of matters related to local government business
  • Providing legal advice on actions taken or contemplated with respect to local government bylaws, human resource issues, land use and development, financial matters and other local government issues that arise from time to time
  • Recommending, drafting, lobbying for and implementing new legislation for the benefit of local government clients when appropriate or requested
  • Attendance at Council or Committee meetings as requested by clients
  • Participation in negotiations in relation to development, procurement, labour or employment relations, servicing, use of municipal property, or provincial or federal grants, approvals or agreements
  • Representation of local governments in civil litigation by or against local governments, except for cases handled by insurers
  • Bylaw enforcement, including injunctions, prosecutions, the bylaw adjudication forums, and the establishment of bylaw adjudication forum systems
  • Lobbying on behalf of local governments for grants and approvals
  • Preparation of Council reports with department heads in relation to legal matters
  • Governance, council procedure, conflicts of interest and elections
  • Expropriations
  • Advice and drafting of documents in relation to procurement, including construction contracts, disposition or acquisition of assets, and competitive tendering and requests for proposals
  • Acting in relation to commercial law, including personal property security, incorporation of companies or societies by local governments and public private partnerships
  • Conveyancing, preparation and registration of local government transfers, leases, rights of way, covenants, licences, and other similar things
  • Providing advice and preparing documents in relation to property assessment, property value tax, parcel tax, other taxes, development cost charges, tax sales, financial plans, reserve funds and related financial matters
  • Providing opinions and representing local governments in relation to labour and employment law, including in relation to collective agreements, grievances, arbitrations, labour relations board hearings, and attendance at Court
  • Conducting complex arbitrations and other alternate dispute mechanisms