Robert Janes KC KC

Practice Areas

Robert Janes, KC practices civil litigation in the Victoria, Vancouver and Toronto offices, focusing on constitutional, aboriginal and commercial litigation.

He has been a litigator for over twenty years and has extensive experience in assisting First Nations, Aboriginal people and others with difficult problems needing sound strategic and legal advice. Robert’s approach is to find practical solutions where possible, while preparing to vigorously advance his client’s interests in court where necessary.

Practice Focus Areas:

Civil and constitutional litigation

Treaty negotiation and implementation

Crown consultation and accommodation

First Nation-Industry negotiations

First Nation governance matters

Interpretation of the Indian Act

Career

Robert’s focus is serving the needs of First Nations, Aboriginal organizations and individuals and assisting others who have difficult constitutional or public law issues. His work in these areas builds on a broad portfolio of litigation experience in the courts across Canada, including cases in British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, Yukon and in the Federal Courts system. Robert has appeared for appellants and interveners in the Supreme Court of Canada.

Robert assists his clients in a wide diversity of cases including those respecting Aboriginal title and rights, consultation and accommodation, environmental law and the interpretation and application of the Indian Act to bands and individuals. Robert has also appeared in cases that have clarified the operation of British Columbia’s land title system, changed the way that prisoners are subjected to solitary confinement in Canada’s prison system and defended the rights of people and companies charged with various criminal and regulatory offences.

Robert advises clients involved in the British Columbia Treaty Process as well as in large regulatory processes (such as the LNG and oil sands environmental assessments and approval processes).

Professional Memberships

Kings Counsel

Law Society of British Columbia

Law Society of Ontario

Canadian Bar Association

Personal

Originally from Newfoundland, Robert came to British Columbia first in the early 1980’s to study at Pearson College. From there he studied across Canada until he obtained his law degree from the University of Toronto in 1991. Robert joined the bar of Ontario in 1992 and then practiced litigation with a major national law firm until he came to British Columbia in 1998. In 2009 Robert was part of the original group of owners who founded JFK Law Corporation and is based in JFK’s Toronto office.