Aboriginal Law
Canada Guide 2025 : Nationwide - Canada
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 604 685 3456About
Provided by Lawson Lundell LLP
In the ever-changing and evolving area of Indigenous law, clients need solid, practical advice to help them navigate the legal and regulatory challenges that inevitably arise. As a leader in the field, Lawson Lundell’s Indigenous Law Group provides support to clients in all areas of Indigenous law and in all regions of Canada.
The Indigenous Law Group is one of the largest and most experienced in western and northern Canada. Members in Vancouver, Calgary and Yellowknife provide legal advice to a wide variety of private and public sector clients, including clients involved in energy (hydroelectric power generation, conventional oil and gas and oil sands producers), pulp and paper, forest harvesting, mining, aquaculture, transportation (railways, public transit, marine transportation and port facilities) and real estate development. We also provide advice on commercial matters to Indigenous organizations and development corporations, particularly in northern Canada.
Chambers Review
Lawson Lundell is a Vancouver-based regional law firm with a significant Aboriginal law practice across Western and Northern Canada. With a strong resources-focused practice, the team offers substantial experience of LNG, oil sands, hydroelectric, mining and pipeline projects. It represents industry clients in their negotiations with Aboriginal stakeholders, as well as advising on regulatory and court proceedings. The firm is regularly engaged by forestry industry participants to provide advice on dispute resolution with Indigenous communities, as well as representing major national clients in other sectors such as transportation and shipping. Its clients benefit from the firm's additional offices in Calgary and Yellowknife.
Work Highlights
- Lawson Lundell represented the Government of British Columbia in relation to an Aboriginal title claim brought by the Cowichan Nation.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"TheLawson Lundell team has an extremely strong understanding and experience of the complex area of Indigenous law."
"Their service is excellent and they are very responsive and available."
"Lawson Lundell provides prompt, high-quality service and advice."
"The group provides advice in relation to highly technical or legally uncertain contexts with excellent clarity on the issues."
"They offer a diversity of practitioners from junior to very senior litigators."
"TheLawson Lundell team has an extremely strong understanding and experience of the complex area of Indigenous law."
"Their service is excellent and they are very responsive and available."
"Lawson Lundell provides prompt, high-quality service and advice."
"The group provides advice in relation to highly technical or legally uncertain contexts with excellent clarity on the issues."
"They offer a diversity of practitioners from junior to very senior litigators."
Notable Practitioners
Brad Armstrong KC is recognised by market sources for his considerable experience in Indigenous law. Based in Vancouver, he acts on mining and port projects, with a notable focus on environmental and regulatoryissues. He routinely acts for mining and natural resource companies.
"Brad understands complex problems quickly and articulates solutions well."
Calgary-based John Olynyk is a distinguished lawyer who advises on the Indigenous law aspects of mining and oil and gas operations. He is noted for his regulatory work, and he is also experienced indisputes in the Aboriginal law space.
"John always provides solid support and advice. His service is excellent."
"He is very knowledgeable and responsive to our needs."
Keith Bergner has experience acting for clients on the Aboriginal law elements of major energy and miningprojects. He represents clients including corporations and governmental bodies out of the team's Vancouver office.
"Keith is an expert in Indigenous and environmental legal issues in British Columbia. He is an exceptional communicator that delivers clear advice and understands business issues."
"Keith is outstanding in his understanding of Aboriginal law litigation. He is exceptionally personable and client-focused."
Lana Shipley is a Vancouver-based lawyer who provides Aboriginal law advice on corporate and commercial agreements,as well as operations. She acts for clients in a variety of industry sectors, including mining and energy.
"Lana is very knowledgeable and responsive."
"Lana Shipley has a good foundation of the issues to advise on commercial agreements."
Ranked Lawyers at
Lawson Lundell LLP
Nationwide - Canada
Members
Provided by Lawson Lundell LLP
Alastair MacKinnon
Alixandra Stoicheff
Chris Baldwin
Christine Kowbel
Grace Kang
Jennifer Nyland
Kai Niu
Laura Duke
Michelle Jones
Shailaz Dhalla
Toby Kruger