Peter Major

Peter Major Q.C. brings diverse experience and effective advice to the table in complex commercial litigation, arbitrations, and mediations. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Peter advises clients on how they can best pursue an effective resolution tailored to their specific needs.

His practice covers all types of commercial litigation, including corporate governance, intellectual property and trade secrets, oil and gas, defamation, employment, construction, aeronautics, commercial real estate, and estate law. He has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta.

With his broad spectrum of skills and knowledge, Peter is exceptionally well-rounded as a litigation lawyer. He can act as both defense and plaintiff’s counsel, which often gives him the upper hand in understanding both sides of an issue. His experience includes commercial disputes where he represents a wide variety of corporate and individual clients, ranging from complex contractual disputes, oppression claims, fraud, subrogated claims, patent protection, defamation, and commercial and residential real estate disputes to all forms of employment matters, including the rights of both employers and employees in claims of wrongful termination and termination for cause.

In the energy industry, Peter has acted as lead counsel for individuals, junior, mid-size, and major corporations on a broad range of issues. He handles all matters relating to facilities operations, and disputes ranging from royalty rights, rights of first refusal, AMI acquisitions, and trespass to lease enforcement and collapses.

Whether working with individuals or corporations, Peter likes having a joint commitment to an objective. He enjoys the personal contact with each client and developing the necessary strategy for them whether it is to suit an individual’s needs or to address larger corporate objectives.

A skilled arbitrator and mediator, Peter combines an approachable and personable demeanor with a sharp practical mind for developing successful strategies. He is the Vice-Chair of the Advocates’ Society Alberta Advisory Committee, a member of its National Teaching Faculty, and a regular presenter in its programs. In 2020, Peter received his designation as a Qualified Arbitrator from the ADR Institute of Canada. He is fulfilled by finding solutions that appeal to all parties and takes the time to listen to people, using strategic thinking, rather than an emotional response, to achieve the best outcome.

Peter believes that most litigation takes far too long and is an advocate for mediation and arbitration. He is focused on speeding up the legal process and shortening the time for decisions to be made. Whether a case is pursued in arbitration, mediation, or formal litigation, Peter always offers personalized and cost-conscious service and is mindful of the expense for his clients.

Coming from a family of lawyers and judges, Peter feels that the practice of law was an inevitable calling. Before becoming a private practitioner, Peter clerked with the Alberta Court of Appeal and Queen’s Bench, and also worked as a Prosecutor with the Alberta Department of Justice. He continued to prosecute as an agent for the Federal Department of Justice for five years during the start of his career in private practice.