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, the 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.

Since 2019, Daniel has been repeatedly recommended in Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory for corporate and commercial litigation, and is recognized in Best Lawyers® 2022 for his maritime practice. He sits on the volunteer boards of 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, and the International Oceans Institute – Canada. For several years, Daniel was a director and vice-chair for Bridgeway Academy, a not-for-profit private school for kids with learning disabilities. He teaches Oil & Gas Law as a part-time faculty member at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University.