Emma Hobbs

Emma Hobbs brings a unique blend of environmental savvy and legal acumen to her role at Gowling WLG's Vancouver office. As a key member of the Advocacy Department and Environmental Law Practice Group, she delivers comprehensive counsel to a diverse clientele, including corporations, governmental bodies, and Indigenous communities. Her expertise spans a broad spectrum of legal areas: environmental disputes, administrative appeals, pollution incident response, site contamination solutions, permit navigation, and compliance with environmental regulations. Emma's work also covers extended producer responsibility, energy sector issues, forestry issues, maritime concerns, and Indigenous governance.

Emma's journey to legal expertise began with her immersion as a summer student at the firm in 2019, transitioning into a full-fledged associate following her articling period in 2021. Her academic credentials are equally impressive, having pursued her law degree at the University of British Columbia's Peter A. Allard School of Law, where she honed her specialization in Aboriginal Law.

Her law school tenure was marked by meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities through her role at the UBC Indigenous Community Legal Clinic, particularly aiding Vancouver's Downtown Eastside residents. Her leadership was evident as an Allard Ambassador and as an executive member of the UBC Environmental Law Group, culminating in her receipt of the Harper Grey LLP Prize in Environmental Law in 2020.

Emma's academic foundation in science—earning both a Bachelor and a Master of Science in Biology from Western University—preceded her legal pursuits. This scientific background informed her early career in municipal government, where she focused on renewable energy initiatives and environmental studies. Notably, Emma's adventurous spirit led her to guide canoe expeditions across Ontario, Quebec, and the Canadian Arctic, enriching her understanding of the natural environments she now defends legally.

Her qualifications are robust, with legal certifications in Alberta and Yukon in 2023, and an earlier admission to the British Columbia bar in 2021. Emma's practice areas are extensive, covering climate change and environmental law, environmental litigation, Indigenous law, litigation and dispute resolution, and administrative law. Her multifaceted background and dedication to environmental and Indigenous issues make her a dynamic force in legal advocacy and environmental stewardship.