Best Lawyers in Canada for Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice

Keith advises private sector, public sector and government clients on Indigenous law and regulatory matters. He has appeared as counsel before numerous regulatory tribunals and all levels of Superior and Appellate Courts (both Federal and Provincial), including the Supreme Court of Canada. He has acted for clients in a number of natural resource industries including hydro-electric generation and transmission, oil and gas, mining, aquaculture, forestry, transportation and independent power pro...

Sara Mainville has been a member of the Ontario bar (2005) and she is a member of the BC bar (2022) with specific matter approvals to practice in Nunavut and Quebec. Sara has a Management/Public Administration degree (Lethbridge) and a Bachelor of Laws from Queen’s University. She has a LLM from the University of Toronto and an Advanced Negotiations certificate from Harvard University, and a Certificate in Entertainment Law (Osgoode PD). Recently, Sara completed a weeklong course at the...

Justice Harry S. LaForme is Anishinabe and a member of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation located in southern Ontario. He was born and raised mainly on his reserve where some of his family continue to reside and remain active in that First Nation's government. Justice LaForme graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1977 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1979. He articled with the law firm of Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt; joined the firm as an associate; and, after a brief time...

Angeline Therrien-Lapointe is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice. Angeline practices law in Montréal, Quebec Best Lawyers has recognized Angeline Therrien-Lapointe since 2022. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Angeline Therrien-Lapointe is held by other lawyers.

Caroline Briand devotes her practice to Aboriginal, constitutional and administrative law. Her practice in Aboriginal and constitutional law focuses on advice, negotiation, consensus-building with various stakeholders involved, and capacity building. She supports Indigenous communities, tribal councils, government bodies and corporations in creating, implementing and improving governance structures, as well as in complex and long-term negotiations, particularly with regard to Aboriginal and t...

François Dandonneau is a partner in the firm’s Montréal office. His practice has been centred on Aboriginal law for over fifteen years with a specific focus on matters dealing with mining and natural resources, procurement, taxation and self-governance. Throughout his career, François has acted and played a major role in important litigation matters, notably constitutional cases, before all levels of the courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. François...

Nader R. Hasan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice, Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Criminal Defence and Privacy and Data Security Law. Nader R. practices law in Toronto, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Nader R. Hasan since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflect...

Matt McPherson is a Partner at OKT. Matt advises First Nations and Indigenous governments and organizations across the country on Aboriginal and treaty rights claims and negotiations, resource development agreements, and environmental regulatory processes. He has particular experience in matters related to the protection of fisheries and water. He advises on a wide variety of environmental matters, and appears before tribunals such as the Canadian Energy Regulator and land use planning bodies...

Randall Kahgee is Senior Counsel to Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP and specializes in Indigenous rights law, with an emphasis on community-based processes and government-to-government negotiations. Randall has worked with Indigenous governments across Canada and participated in significant agreements between Indigenous communities and provincial and federal governments on energy matters, including issues relating to the development of nuclear facilities, transmission lines, renewable energy proj...

Michael Manhas is a litigation, administrative law, and regulatory lawyer. He focuses on matters relating to the environment, energy, natural resources, economic regulation, and Indigenous law. Michael regularly represents clients before courts in British Columbia and Alberta, and has extensive experience in administrative proceedings before tribunals, including the British Columbia and Alberta Utilities Commissions, the Environmental Appeal Board, the National Energy Board, the Forest Appeal...

John A. Olthuis is one of the founding partners of OKT. His practice includes litigation, comprehensive and specific land rights, self-government, and impacts and benefits agreements. John was on the legal team of the Assembly of First Nations in negotiations with Canada and the provinces lending to the inclusion of "Section 35" in Canada’s repatriated Constitution in 1982. John was legal counsel to Chiefs of Ontario and table negotiator at the Aboriginal Government table for the Assemb...

Graham Ragan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice, Administrative and Public Law and Public Procurement Law. Graham practices law in Ottawa, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Graham Ragan since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Graham Ragan is held by other lawyers.

Nick Kennedy is Partner at OKT with a broad litigation and advisory practice. In addition to his Indigenous law work, which includes matters related to the interpretation of modern treaties and the Duty to Consult, Nick has experience in constitutional (especially the division of powers), administrative, anti-money laundering, contract, construction, energy and freedom of information law matters. Nick has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, the Quebec Court of Appeal, the Supreme ...

Darla Rettie is a trusted legal advisor offering practical and effective advice in the areas of commercial financing, business structuring, designing trusts and documenting First Nation laws. Her aim is to assist her clients and their partners realize their goals, while navigating the complex web of laws that apply to First Nations and their businesses. This includes the constitutionally protected right to be consulted, as part of the project development and implementation processes. Darla br...

Mark Youden is a partner at Gowling WLG with a practice focused on environmental, regulatory, construction and Indigenous law matters in both an advocacy and advisory capacity. Mark is called to the bar in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Yukon, and services clients from industry, government and Indigenous groups. As an advocate, Mark regularly appears at the Federal Court and superior and appellant levels of court in British Columbia, Alberta and Yukon. Mark also frequently advocates o...

Environmental law is dynamic and as an experienced environmental and regulatory lawyer, Ron Kruhlak, K.C. enjoys the challenges of handling new environmental projects with novel issues. His focus is on resource development applications and commercial disputes. He has a knowledge base that covers a broad range of environmental matters, including energy, regulatory, and construction-related projects and conflicts. On the resource side, Ron assists with current and emerging issues in sectors inc...