Gordon L. Tarnowsky LL.B., B.Comm., Partner
As a member of the Litigation/Alternative Dispute Resolution Group in Calgary, Gord practises as litigation counsel with a focus on the resolution of corporate, commercial and energy industry related disputes.
 
Gord has served as counsel in numerous domestic and international arbitrations and in the private and judicial mediation of commercial disputes. He has been recognized as a leading Canadian lawyer in Dispute Resolution in the Chambers Global Guide to The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

In litigation matters, Gord has made numerous appearances in cases before the Alberta Courts, and has also represented clients before the Alberta Securities Commission and the Federal Court of Canada.

Gord joined the firm as an articling student in 1989, after clerking with the Alberta Court of Appeal and Court of Queen’s Bench.

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Gord is able to draw upon over 20 years of experience as a problem solver in a broad spectrum of disputes. This dispute resolution experience – employing ADR mechanisms (negotiation, mediation and arbitration) as well as traditional litigation – allows Gord to provide clients with considered strategic advice and representation in order to achieve effective and efficient business results.
Representative Work
Representing Imperial Oil Resources Limited and another major oil and gas company in respect of trespass and royalty claims valued at approximately $2 billion advanced by a number of Indian Bands seeking declarations that oil and gas leases dating back 60 years are void and claiming restoration of the value of all oil and gas produced and to be produced
Representing Canadian power producer in arbitration of gas pricing dispute with natural gas supplier
Representing number of oil and gas companies in multiple disputes concerning operations and accounting issues under natural gas and natural gas liquids handling and processing agreements
Representing number of oil and gas companies in multiple disputes concerning the operation of rights of first refusal (ROFRs)
Representing a party in an international arbitration of a US$ 1 Billion claim concerning a gas field in Eastern Europe
Publications
"Restrictions on Disposition in the Oil and Gas Industry: The Extinction of the Species?", 44 Alberta Law Rev. 477, paper delivered at the 45th Annual Canadian Petroleum Law Foundation Research Seminar in Oil and Gas Law, Jasper, Alberta, June 15, 2006
Teaching Roles
Guest lecturer, College of Law, University of Calgary, "Conflicts of Interest", October 2008 and 2009
Guest lecturer, College of Law, University of Saskatchewan, "Negotiating Ethics and Best Practices", October 12, 2006
Prior Speaking Engagements
Presenter "Getting the Right ADR Clauses into Your Business Agreements", ADR Institute of Canada, Inc. Annual Conference, September 23, 2010
Presenter, "Facilitating Settlement: The Use of Settlement Counsel and Risk Analysis," Webcast, Canadian Bar Association Online Continuing Legal Education Program, January 26, 2010
Presenter, "Settlement Counsel," ADR Institute of Canada, Inc. Annual Conference, October 17, 2008
Presenter, "The Use of Experts in Arbitration and Mediation," Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society's Annual Conference, April 28, 2007
Presenter, "The Use of Experts in Arbitration and Mediation," ADR Institute of Canada, Inc. ADR Energy! Conference, November 17, 2006
Presenter, "Restrictions on Disposition in the Oil and Gas Industry: The Extinction of the Species?" paper delivered at the 45th Annual Canadian Petroleum Law Foundation Research Seminar in Oil and Gas Law, Jasper, Alberta, June 15, 2006
Presenter, "Update on Managing Conflicts of Interest Post-R. v. Neil: Is the 'Bright Line' Blinding," presentation to the Corporate Counsel Section, Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Branch, September 21, 2005
Contact Information
Calgary
+1 403 268 3024
gord.tarnowsky@fmc-law.com
Year of Call
1989 (Alberta)
Education
Advanced Negotiation: Difficult Conversations, Harvard Negotiation Institute (June 2009)
Negotiation Workshop for Lawyers, Harvard Negotiation Institute (June 2007)
Advanced Negotiation and Mediation Training (January 5, 2006)
University of Saskatchewan, LL.B. (with Distinction), 1988
University of Saskatchewan, B.Comm. (with Distinction), 1987
Languages Spoken
English