The Legal 500 > Canada > Canada > Indigenous law

Complemented by the firm’s broad corporate and projects offerings and top-tier environmental law capability, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s practice brings together robust regulatory and transactional expertise in the indigenous law area. From Aboriginal consultation, through to due diligence, the team routinely advises a wide range of clients across the country on complex and strategic matters. The group is led from Vancouver by Roy Millen, who specializes in advising private sector clients on the indigenous law aspects of energy and mining projects. Sam Adkins, also based in Vancouver, has deep experience in consultation, negotiation and regulatory issues. Montreal-based Anne Drost and Calgary-based environmental law specialist Terri-Lee Oleniuk are also recommended.

Fasken houses one of the largest indigenous law groups in the market, providing specialist expertise across all key areas of the practice area, including consultation issues, litigation, joint ventures arrangements and reserve land development. Acting for a mix of natural resources and energy companies, First Nations and public sector clients, the group is a top choice for support on major energy and natural resources projects, particularly in the mining space. Litigator Kevin O’Callaghan leads the practice from Vancouver and has deep expertise in precedent-setting Aboriginal law cases. Brenden Hunter, who is highly regarded for his experience in projects-related matters, is a key name in Calgary.

Dentons is consistently involved in major energy infrastructure projects, which sees it advising on a significant amount of indigenous law-related issues. In addition, the firm secures a steady stream of mandates involving the mining, transportation and forestry sectors. Montreal-based practice co-head Ann Bigué Ad E handles an array of contentious and non-contentious matters, with strong skill sets in Aboriginal relations, land claims and treaty rights. Regulatory specialist Bernard Roth in Calgary co-heads the team alongside Bigué.

Gowling WLG acts primarily for indigenous clients, but also advises government clients and corporates that work with indigenous communities. Hamilton-based Jaimie Lickers heads the practice group and has niche expertise in advising First Nations on trust and taxation issues. Vancouver-based litigator Maxime Faille is sought after for his broad indigenous law experience, while Cam Cameron in Ottawa has a strong track record on the economic development side.

One of the leading firms advising First Nations, JFK Law Corporation provides comprehensive indigenous law advice from its offices in Victoria and Vancouver. The group advises First Nations’ organizations, Indian bands and individuals on an array of consultation and accommodation issues, constitutional law cases, treaty negotiations and economic development matters. Robert Janes QC, based in Victoria, is sought after for his strong record in complex litigation, while Vancouver-based Robert Freedman is noted for his focus on treaty negotiations. Up-and-coming litigator Karey Brooks is also recommended in Vancouver.

Lawson Lundell LLP’s signature mining service makes it as a top choice for advice on the indigenous law aspects of mining projects. Its strong regional focus on Western Canada, from office platforms in Vancouver, Calgary, Yellowknife and Kelowna, also generates a significant volume of energy and forestry-related matters. In Calgary, John Olynyk specializes in advising developers within the energy, natural resources and utilities industries on regulatory and indigenous law matters. Keith Bergner, who splits his time between Vancouver and Calgary, routinely advises governments, Crown corporations and private sector clients on consultation and duty to accommodate issues. Vancouver-based transactional specialist Lana Shipley is another key contact.

The increasingly active practice group at McCarthy Tétrault has equal strengths in advisory mandates and contentious work, where it can draw on the firm’s top-tier litigation offering. On the non-contentious side, the department is well versed in Aboriginal rights and treaty rights, consultation and accommodation issues, project approvals and transactional support. Vancouver-based counsel Stephanie Axmann focuses on project development and commercial work, while up-and-coming partner Bryn Gray in Toronto is noted for his experience in regulatory and contentious matters.

Norton Rose Fulbright has experience across the spectrum of Aboriginal law, covering all the key elements of regulatory, transactional and contentious matters. Best known for representing industry participants, particularly mining and energy companies, it also advises local government clients on indigenous law issues. The group is led from Quebec City by Pierre-Christian Labeau, who is currently acting as the Quebec government negotiator in land claims.

The compact but effective group at Torys LLP handles consultation, and advises on project developments and contentious matters. Spearheaded from Toronto by litigator John Terry and power specialist Valerie Helbronner, the group also benefits from the experience of senior counsel Frank Iacobucci QC, who was formerly a justice of the Supreme Court.