Scott A. Carrière

Biography

Drawing on his previous career as an engineer and recognized for his reliability and creative problem-solving, Scott applies his critical thinking and analytical skills to tackle complex cases, bringing a strategic approach to his broad commercial litigation practice. Scott’s dedication to delivering effective solutions makes him a trusted advisor for clients facing high-stakes commercial disputes.

Before joining McEwan Partners, Scott worked with two leading national firms based in Calgary, where he also clerked for the Alberta Court of Justice. Scott has represented clients in all levels of court in Alberta as well as Ontario’s Superior Court and the Federal Court. He successfully represented clients in high-profile litigation, including complex cross-border disputes and intricate transactions involving multiple contracts. In addition to strong written and oral advocacy skills, Scott has authored several peer-reviewed articles on legal history and constitutional law.

Scott takes the time to understand each client’s unique definition of success – whether that involves negotiation or litigation – and aligns his strategies accordingly. He prioritizes organization, promptness, and availability, aiming to provide accurate solutions from the start to ensure efficient and effective results.

Scott successfully acted in TAQA Drilling Solutions Inc v Yar Holdings Inc, 2021 ABQB 625, a $28.5M post-closing escrow dispute involving complex contractual interpretation and evidentiary issues, affirmed on appeal.

He also acted in Chemtrade Electrochem Inc v Superior Plus Corporation, 2022 ABKB 858, a $25M break fee dispute from a failed public company acquisition, involving U.S. antitrust approval and covenant breaches; partially reversed on appeal, 2025 ABCA 31.

Publications and Commentary

• “Law and Legalism in Corporate Newfoundland, 1583 – 1699” in Donal Coffey & Stefan Vogenauer, eds, Global Perspectives on Legal History (Frankfurt: Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory, 2025).
• “Judicial Exoneration for Louis Riel? Reconciliation and the Ancient Writ of Coram Nobis” (2023) 86:2 Saskatchewan Law Review. Peer Reviewed.
• “The Emergence of a Normative Principle of Cooperative Federalism and Its Application” (2021) 58:4 Alberta Law Review. Peer Reviewed.
• “Solicitors’ Liens in Canada” (2021) 36:2 Banking & Finance Law Review. Peer Reviewed.
• Book Review of Outsourcing Empire: How Company-States Made the Modern World, by Andrew Phillips & JC Sharman (2021) 39:1 Law & History Review. Peer Reviewed.
• “Carbon Pricing, Federalism, and Enforcement” in Allan E Ingelson, ed, Environment in the Courtroom, 2nd Ed (Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2021), with Fenner L Stewart. Peer Reviewed.
• Scott Carrière, “Whose Sovereignty is it Anyway? The Borders of Aboriginal Rights along the Sovereign Borders of Canada” (20 January 2020), online (blog): ABlawg
• Scott Carrière, “Alberta Court of Appeal Stages Judicial Intervention on Judicial Interventions” (27 May 2019), online (blog): ABlawg
• Scott Carrière, “Tapped Out: Alberta Court Holds Interprovincial Beer Mark-ups Unconstitutional” (18 July 2018), online (blog): ABlawg
• Scott Carrière, “Not Your Grandfather’s Cooperative Federalism: Constitutional Themes at the Supreme Court Hearing of Redwater” (2 April 2018), online (blog): ABlawg

Forthcoming Publications and Working Papers

• “Natural Resources in the Federal State” in Trevor Tombe & Jennifer Winter, eds, Measuring the Contribution of Energy Infrastructure: A Practical Guide (Calgary: University of Calgary Press) (forthcoming), with Fenner L Stewart. Peer Reviewed.
• Scott Carrière, “The Pesky Problem of Parliament: Prorogation and Prerogative Power”, online (blog): ABlawg (forthcoming)
• “Viceregal Authority and the Normative Application of Arbitrary Power in Canada” (2024) Working Paper.