Chris Johnston

Associate Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

Calgary +1 403 267 8167

Chris Johnston

Chris Johnston is a tax lawyer with a broad tax practice that includes personal and corporate tax planning. He has experience advising clients on tax-effective corporate structuring, reorganizations, business succession planning, as well as inter vivos and post-mortem estate planning. He also advises on transactional tax planning and international tax matters.

Chris completed the CPA In-Depth Tax Course in 2021.

Professional experience

Rankings and recognitions

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada: Tax Law, 2025
Recipient, Best Newsletter Article by a Young Practitioner Award, Canadian Tax Foundation, 2023

Education

J.D., University of Calgary, 2017
B.A., Wilfrid Laurier University, 2011

Admissions

Alberta 2018

Publications

"Employee Ownership Trusts: Acquiring a Qualifying Business Using a Wholly Owned CCPC," (2023) 13:3 Canadian Tax Focus 5.
"Disclosing Persons Who Exert Influence on Trustees" (co-author), (2021) 11:2 Canadian Tax Focus 1-2.
"Univar: Arm's-Length Surplus Strip Not Abusive" (co-author), (2018) 8:1 Canadian Tax Focus 8-9.

Speaking engagements

"Out with the Old, in with the New: Recent updates in Canadian succession planning" (co-presenter), Canadian Bar Association (Alberta), Tax Law Section – South, April 25, 2023.
"Business Expansion: North to South" (co-presenter), Canadian Bar Association (Alberta), Tax Law Section – South, January 10, 2022.
"Tax Considerations for Departing Canada" (co-presenter), Canadian Bar Association (Alberta), Tax Non-Specialist Section – South, September 3, 2020.

Memberships and activities

Canadian Bar Association
Law Society of Alberta
Calgary Bar Association
Canadian Tax Foundation
Canadian Petroleum Tax Society
International Fiscal Association
Executive Committee, Taxation Law (South) Section, Canadian Bar Association (Alberta)