Douglas (Doug) R. Sanders

Partner

Vancouver
[email protected]
604.640.4128

As both a lawyer and an engineer, Doug has significant expertise in large infrastructure projects, working on major projects across Canada, and around the world.

He practises in the areas of:

  • public-private partnerships
  • construction contracts (negotiation, drafting, and review)
  • shipbuilding contracts
  • power plant and industrial EPC contracts
  • contracts to design or construct any asset

Doug is also a frequent author and speaker for various organizations and publications on these areas of law.

He is the national leader of our Public-Private Projects group.

Douglas provides legal services through a Law Corporation.

Testimonials

Experience

  • BC Hydro/Site C: Counsel to BC Hydro on this significant hydroelectric project.
  • BC Hydro/John Hart: Counsel for BC Hydro on this PPP hydroelectric project.
  • REM: Acting for the builder on this significant transit project in Montreal.
  • Ridley Terminals: Acting for RTI with respect to a number of commercial matters.
  • Ontario Line: Acting for a bidding team member for this Ontario transit project.
  • RER3: Acting for a bidding team member for this Ontario transit project.
  • Edmonton Valley Line: Acted for the city on this transit project.
  • Nanaimo Correctional Centre: Acted for the Province of BC on the design-build prison project.
  • Queen Elizabeth Hospital: Acted for the Province of Nova Scotia on its hospital projects.
  • Alberta Schools 5: Acting for a bidder on this schools project.
  • Representative clients include Flatiron, Grosvenor, Parsons, Bilfinger, Acciona, Turner, Clark, Graham, Bird, EPCOR, and a number of government agencies.
  • New Bridge over St. Lawrence Corridor (Champlain Bridge) ($2.4 billion) – Lead counsel for the design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Stanton Territorial Hospital Project ($300 million) – Lead counsel for the design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Okanagan Correctional Centre ($190 million) – Lead counsel for the Province of BC (closed).
  • Surrey Pretrial Services Centre Expansion ($90 million) – Lead counsel for the Province of BC (closed).
  • Evergreen Line – Co-lead counsel for design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Alberta Schools 3 – Co-lead counsel for design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Alberta Schools 2 ($250 million) – Lead counsel for design-build joint venture (closed).
  • RCMP – Lead counsel for member of design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Fort St. John Hospital ($300 million) – Lead counsel for design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Golden Ears Bridge Bridge and Highway ($1.1 billion) – Lead counsel for the design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Northwest Anthony Henday Bridge and Highway – ($1.4 billion) Lead counsel for design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Alberta Schools ($500 million) – Lead counsel for design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Surrey Outpatient Facility ($200 million) – Lead counsel for member of design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Royal Jubilee Hospital Patient Care Centre ($350 million) – Lead counsel for lead member of design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Water/Wastewater Treatment plants – Lead counsel for the concessionaire in respect of water treatment projects for Port Hardy, Lytton, and Sooke (closed).
  • Sea-to-Sky Highway Bridge and Highway ($600 million) – BLG acted for UK and French lenders to the concessionaire. Primary responsibility for design-build and operations contracts (closed).
  • E18 Grimstad – Kristiansand (Norway) Bridge and Highway ($500 million) – Lead counsel for the design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Kicking Horse Canyon Bridge and Highway ($130 million) – Lead counsel for the design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Calgary Ring Road Bridge and Highway ($650 million) – Lead counsel for the design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Britannia Water Treatment plant ($27 million) – Lead counsel for the concessionaire (closed).
  • BART Extension (San Francisco) – Lead counsel for US design-build joint venture, part of preferred proponent (process terminated).
  • Port Mann Bridge and Highway ($2.46 billion) – Lead counsel for design-build joint venture (closed).
  • ACCW Prison – Lead counsel for government owner (closed).
  • HWY 97 and Campbell Road Interchange – Lead counsel for First Nation (closed).
  • “The Rise,” a mixed-use commercial/residential building – Lead counsel for private owner (closed).

Beyond Our Walls

Community Involvement

  • Fellow, Canadian College of Construction Lawyers
  • Fellow, Engineers Canada (nominated by both BC and Saskatchewan)
  • Member, Law Society of British Columbia
  • Member, Law Society of Saskatchewan
  • Member, Law Society of Yukon (non-practising)
  • Member, Association of Professional Engineers of BC and Saskatchewan
  • Member, Construction Specifications Canada

Awards & Recognitions

  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2010) of The Best Lawyers in Canada® (Construction Law, Project Finance Law, Public Procurement Law), and recognized as "Vancouver Project Finance Law Lawyer of the Year" in 2019 and 2018.
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition of The Legal 500 (Infrastructure Projects).
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2016) editions of Chambers Canada – Canada's Leading Lawyers for Business (Projects: PPP & Infrastructure).
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2013) of Chambers Global – The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Projects: PPP & Infrastructure).
  • Recognized in the 2024 (and since 2013) edition of The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Construction Law; Infrastructure Law). Also recognized in 2019 for Energy (Electricity).
  • Recognized as a leading infrastructure lawyer in the 2024 edition (and since 2014) of the Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure.
  • Recognized in the 2023 edition of Who's Who Legal: Canada (Government Contracts & Construction).
  • Recognized in the 2022 edition (and since 2020) of IFLR1000 (Project Development; Project Finance)
  • Recognized in the 2023 edition (and since 2022) of Lexpert Special Edition: Energy
  • Recognized in the 2020 edition of the Doyles Guide - Leading Construction, Engineering & Infrastructure Lawyers – British Columbia
  • Recognized by the 2016 Client Choice Awards as the exclusive winner in the Projects & Procurement category in British Columbia.
  • Recognized as a 2018 BTI Client Service All-Star.
  • Recognized as a 2017 Acritas Star.
  • Recognized by the 2016 Client Choice Awards as the exclusive winner in the Projects & Procurement category in British Columbia.

Bar Admission & Education

  • Yukon Territory, 2015
  • British Columbia, 1999
  • Saskatchewan, 1990
  • Ontario, 2023
  • LLB, University of Saskatchewan, 1989
  • B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, 1986