A leading energy lawyer, Charles Keizer advises clients on some of the most sophisticated work in the sector, combining skilled advocacy and deep regulatory knowledge to help advance projects and unique and complex matters.
Charles is co-head of Torys’ Infrastructure and Energy Practice and leads the Energy Regulatory Practice. He maintains an active practice with an emphasis on administrative law and project development in the energy sector. He frequently advises generators (renewable and conventional), transmitters, and electricity and natural gas distributors in relation to regulatory, project development and contractual matters.
Charles regularly appears before the Ontario Energy Board on rates, licensing and leave to construct matters applications, some of which are the most complex and unique matters considered by that tribunal.
As lead counsel on a number of generation and transmission projects, Charles has provided strategic advice related to federal and provincial regulatory regimes, and he has a strong understanding of project development—from the initial stages to connection and commercial operation.
—Chambers Canada, 2024
2016-2024 | Chambers Canada—Leading lawyer in energy: power (regulatory) |
2010-2023 | Chambers Global—Leading lawyer in energy: power (regulatory) |
2014-2024 | The Legal 500—Leading lawyer in energy and natural resources: power |
2008-2025 | Best Lawyers in Canada—Leading lawyer in energy regulatory law |
2018, 2024 | Best Lawyers in Canada—Lawyer of the Year for Energy Regulatory Law (Toronto) |
2022 | Lexpert/American Lawyer’s Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada—Leading lawyer in electricity |
2008-2023 | The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory—Leading lawyer in energy: electricity, energy: oil & gas and infrastructure law |
2014-2022 | Who’s Who Legal— Global and National leading lawyer in energy (renewables) |
2011-2019 | Lexpert/American Lawyer’s Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada—Leading lawyer in energy (electricity) |
2018 | Best Lawyers in Canada—Energy Regulatory Law Lawyer of the Year in Toronto |
2017-2018 | Guide to the World’s Leading Energy and Environment Lawyers |
2014 | Lexology and the International Law Office’s Client Choice Award—Energy & Natural Resources (Ontario) |
2013 | Guide to the World’s Leading Energy and Natural Resource Lawyers |
Before entering the legal profession, Charles was a financial project manager and economic analyst with the Ontario Energy Board.
Charles is past Chair of the Board of Burlington Hydro Electric Inc. and Burlington Hydro Inc. He is also a former director of the Ontario Energy Association and a Governor of the McMaster University Board of Governors.