Aboriginal Law
Canada Guide 2025 : Nationwide - Canada
Band 2
Chambers Review
Torys fields a highly regarded Aboriginal law practice from its office in Toronto. The firm's lawyers are well versed in regulatory mattersand corporate transactions involving Indigenous-owned entities. Furthermore, the team excels in advising its clients on consultations with Aboriginal groups. Its clients include both government entities and private clients in the energy, mining and oil and gas sectors.
Work Highlights
- Torys continued to assist Nuclear Waste Management Organizationwith the development of a permanent nuclear fuel waste repository, involving negotiations of an agreement with Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Partners and associates at Torys work collaboratively to provide solutions."
"The firm delivers excellent service for clients and is able to deliver perspectives promptly, leveraging multiple disciplines across the firm while doing so."
"Torys is always very responsive and takes all measures to make themselves available at short notice."
"The Torys team maintains meticulous oversight over all aspects of matters, while consistently focusing on higher-level strategic implications of decisions and outcomes."
"The firm consistently provides creative and commercial solutions to transactional issues."
"Partners and associates at Torys work collaboratively to provide solutions."
"The firm delivers excellent service for clients and is able to deliver perspectives promptly, leveraging multiple disciplines across the firm while doing so."
"Torys is always very responsive and takes all measures to make themselves available at short notice."
"The Torys team maintains meticulous oversight over all aspects of matters, while consistently focusing on higher-level strategic implications of decisions and outcomes."
"The firm consistently provides creative and commercial solutions to transactional issues."
Notable Practitioners
Former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada Frank Iacobucci is an esteemed senior figure in the market. He is based in Toronto and has a wealth of experience advising the government on Indigenous matters wherein he often acts as a mediator, including major energy projects and modern treaty issues.
"Frank is an excellent mediator and a pleasure to deal with."
Toronto-based Valerie Helbronner is sought after for her engagement with Indigenous groups on behalf of infrastructure project developers, with a significant emphasis on power projects.
"Valerie understands the complex aspects of Indigenous partnerships and exercises good judgement."
"Valerie is a committed and dedicated legal adviser who pays great attention to detail. She is also able to see the bigger picture and anticipate hurdles and risks."
"Valerie is very well-rounded and responsive. She offers great insight and a challenging perspective as we consider Indigenous interactions."
Toronto-based John Terry is adept at acting for natural resources and energy sector clients, as well as government entities, on arbitrations, mediations and other contentious matters involving Indigenous groups. He also advises on negotiations with Aboriginal groups relating to the development of projects.
"John provides practical and business-oriented solutions."
"He has extensive experience in Aboriginal dispute resolution matters."
Ryan Lax is a well regarded lawyerwho enjoys a burgeoning reputation for his Indigenous law practice, acting for a range of public and private sector clients on their consultations with indigenous groups.
"Ryan is very helpful in addressing Indigenous matters related to transactions."
"Ryan applies an appropriate high-level strategic lens to files while also demonstrating an exceptionally strong grasp of the details."
Ranked Lawyers at
Torys LLP
Nationwide - Canada