Lawyer Profile
Daniel Watt
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Overview
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. Daniel 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
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 2009 (NS)
Professional Details
Associations
Nova Scotia (2009)
Awards & Recognition
Repeatedly Recommended by The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory for Litigation - Corporate Commercial and Shipping & Maritime Law (most recently in 2026) Named Best Lawyers® Maritime Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Halifax (2025) Recognized by Best Lawyers® Canada for his practice in Maritime Law (since 2022) Appointments & Community Involvement Former Board Member of the Bridgeway Academy, 2012-2020 Former Board Member of the Ocean Governance Training Foundation, 2017-2019