Daniel Watt

About Daniel

• Print Bio

Daniel is the leader of McInnes Cooper’s Ocean Economy Team, with a practice focusing on litigation, marine and energy law. He has advocated for clients before various courts, including the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland & Labrador, and the Federal Court.

In addition to litigation and dispute resolution, Daniel offers a broad range of regulatory, commercial and transactional services. Daniel is a trusted advisor to various clients in the marine and energy industries, including: fishing and aquaculture interests; offshore regulators; exploration and production companies; energy processing companies; shipbuilders and suppliers; ship and specialized offshore vessel owners; charterers; banks, financial institutions and other lenders; protection and indemnity (P&I) clubs, hull and other marine insurers; salvors; Canadian Port Authorities and private port owners; and freight forwarders. He also provides advisory and dispute resolution services to energy and natural resource companies, customs brokers, construction companies, insurers, leasing and finance companies, and private clients, among others.

Daniel is recognized as a leading lawyer in the 2019 Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory for his litigation practice and work in the area of corporate and commercial law. He sits on the volunteer boards of a number of organizations, including: the Canadian Maritime Law Association, where he is a member of the Fisheries and Ports and Harbours Committees; the Eastern Admiralty Law Association, where he is director and secretary; the International Oceans Institute – Canada; and Bridgeway Academy, a not-for-profit private school for kids with learning disabilities, where he is vice-chair. He teaches Oil & Gas Law as a part-time faculty member at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University.

    Publications

• “General Warrants Take the Wrong Path: Challenging the Constitutionality of s. 487.01 of the Code” (2008) 12 Can. Crim. L. Rev. 297
• “Stepping Forward or Stumbling Back? Command Responsibility for Failure to Act, Civilian Superiors and the International Criminal Court” (2008) 17 Dal. J. Leg. Stud. 140