Alex Steinhouse is Counsel in Fasken’s Montreal office where he practices in the areas of Government Relations, Political Law, Indigenous Legal Matters, and Intellectual Property. Alex draws on his extensive public and private sector experience at the intersection of law, public policy, and politics to build and protect reputations while guiding organizations through change.
Formerly a judicial clerk to a Federal Court (Canada) Judge as well as a lawyer at a national law firm, Alex recently served for seven years in senior roles in the Government of Canada, including as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
During his time in the Government of Canada, Alex was trusted and respected by senior cabinet ministers, as well as the Prime Minister, to advise on a wide range of high-pressure, quickly evolving files. He oversaw the tabling and passage of one of the government’s largest legislative agendas through both majority and minority parliaments. Thanks to his abilities to navigate divergent stakeholders, partner with Indigenous peoples, shape public opinion, and understand political dynamics, he has played an instrumental role in some of the government’s most significant initiatives, including the legalization and regulation of cannabis and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into Canadian law.
With a unique combination of education and experience in legal affairs, policy development, judicial reasoning, and decision-making, Alex anticipates and mitigates potential issues while balancing legal advice with political and business concerns. He is known for his calm, well thought out and timely advice.
