Four MLT Aikins have been recognized as leading lawyers in the Lexpert Special Edition: Mining 2025: Erin Eccleston, Scott Masson, Mahdi Shams and Nigel Thompson.
In addition to profiling Lexpert-ranked lawyers whose practices are relevant to the mining industry, the Lexpert Special Edition features in-depth editorial articles discussing the latest industry developments, trends and legal issues, including the areas of mining mergers and acquisitions, regulatory developments and critical minerals.
Erin Eccleston
Erin is a partner in the MLT Aikins corporate group in Saskatoon. She advises Canadian and international companies on a variety of matters, including acquisitions and dispositions of mineral dispositions and projects, joint venture and option agreements, supply chain agreements as well as royalty and commodity agreements. She has served as counsel to major uranium and potash producers, as well as mining suppliers involved in international ventures. Erin holds a Certificate in Mining Law from Osgoode Hall and brings a strategic legal perspective to complex resource development projects
Scott Masson
A partner based in Saskatoon, Scott is co-chair of the firm's construction and infrastructure practice, with more than a decade of experience advising on large-scale engineering, procurement and construction projects across the mining sector. He has supported major potash and uranium producers in developing and drafting EPC and EPCM contracts for mine shaft construction and mill expansions. Scott also helps clients navigate procurement and contracting strategies tailored to mining operations, including collaborative delivery models and public-private partnerships.
Mahdi Shams
Mahdi is a Vancouver-based partner who practises primarily corporate and securities law, including capital markets, mergers and acquisitions and finance transactions. Mahdi regularly acts for both public and private companies and registered securities dealers with a particular focus on the mining sector. Mahdi has represented a number of clients on a broad range of domestic and international transactions, including IPOs, debt and equity financings, public and private mergers and acquisitions, commercial sale agreements and corporate reorganizations.
Nigel Thompson
A partner based in Winnipeg, Nigel maintains a general corporate and commercial practice, with particular emphasis on environmental law and mining law matters. He regularly advises clients on environmental compliance, liability issues and the acquisition and financing of mineral leases and mining claims. Nigel has also chaired the Environmental, Energy and Resources Law Section of the Manitoba Bar Association and is recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada for his work in environmental and natural resources law.
About our mining & natural resources group
MLT Aikins has many decades of experience working with our clients in the Canadian and international mining and natural resources sector. We're a leading player in the potash, uranium and gold industries in Canada; our broad practice is global in scope. We take great pride in delivering creative, cost-effective and timely advice to our clients, playing a key role in assisting them to complete complex transactions, drawing on the extensive abilities of our team members.
Learn more about our work in this area.
About Lexpert
Since the mid-1990s, Lexpert has conducted annual peer surveys to identify the best lawyers and law firms in Canada in specific practice areas and industries. The lawyers listed in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory have no say in deciding the practice areas in which they are included. They are placed in practice areas entirely as a result of the votes they receive from their peers. More than 13,000 lawyers complete the confidential survey each year.