Best Lawyers in Canada for Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice
Jessie Stirling (Wa’ya T’so-la) is an associate at OKT. She is Kwakw a k a ’wakw and a member of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation located in Campbell River, British Columbia. She holds a Juris Doctor (JD) and Certificate in Aboriginal Legal Studies from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and is a member of the Ontario bar. Jessie's practice areas include child welfare, negotiation, and litigation. In the child welfare space, Jessie is honoured to work with First Nations to...
Julia is a commercial real estate lawyer, providing practical and strategic advice to developers, landlords, tenants, lenders, borrowers and First Nation governments on a wide array of real estate matters, including: Real Estate Transactions: conducting lease and title due diligence; structuring equity and debt financing; and negotiating purchase and sale transactions. Commercial Leasing: negotiating and advising on leases in both market and non-market environments. Land Development: advising...
Cameron J.A. Rempel is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice and Corporate and Commercial Litigation. Cameron J.A. practices law in Toronto, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Cameron J.A. Rempel since 2026. 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 Cameron J.A. Rempel is held by other lawyers.
Audrey Poirier is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice. Audrey, who practices law in Québec, Quebec, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Audrey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Victoria Wicks is an associate at OKT. She completed her law degree at the University of British Columbia, where she obtained a specialization in Aboriginal Law and won the inaugural Competition Law moot. She also worked at the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic, where she represented Indigenous clients in various Aboriginal, criminal, and family law matters. Before joining OKT, Victoria completed her articles as a judicial law clerk at the Court of Appeal for Ontario and practiced at a litiga...
Michelle’s practice is focused on regulatory, administrative and public law litigation, with an emphasis on environmental, Indigenous, public utility, and health and safety matters. Michelle regularly assists clients in both judicial and tribunal proceedings. Michelle has experience in all levels of court in British Columbia, both levels of the Federal Court, various administrative tribunal, and arbitrations. Michelle also advise clients on provincial and federal regulatory regimes, ass...
Sinéad is an Associate at OKT committed to working with First Nations to realize their visions of family and community well-being. Her focus areas are Indigenous governance, child welfare, negotiation, and litigation. The best part of her job is meeting with First Nations in their territories. In the child and family sphere, she works with First Nations to support the exercise of inherent jurisdiction, uphold and strengthen Indigenous laws, and defend and assert their rights in court. ...
Joel Morales is an associate at OKT’s Toronto office. He is a member of Cowichan Tribes First Nation, located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Joel attended the University of Ottawa for law school where he participated in the Kawaskimhon Moot. He also participated in Osgoode Hall’s Intensive Program on Lands, Resources, and Governance where he completed a placement with the Maya Leaders Alliance in Belize. Joel articled at a legal aid clinic in Toronto that focused on servin...
Alyssa Flaherty-Spence is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice. Alyssa practices law in Ottawa, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Alyssa Flaherty-Spence since 2025. 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 Alyssa Flaherty-Spence is held by other lawyers.
Graeme Cook is an associate at OKT. He is a member of the Metlakatla First Nation, located on the northwest coast of British Columbia. Graeme holds a JD from the University of British Columbia, where he received a number of awards for academic excellence. Prior to joining OKT, Graeme served as a law clerk at the Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Supreme Court of Canada. While in law school, Graeme worked at the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic, providing legal services in the area...
Emma Hobbs is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice and Environmental Law. Emma practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Emma Hobbs since 2026. 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 Emma Hobbs is held by other lawyers.
Niall Rand is a senior associate in Fasken’s Vancouver office and a member of the firm’s Global Mining, Indigenous Legal Matters, and Global Energy and Climate groups. He advises clients in the energy, mining, natural resources and transportation sectors on complex regulatory matters, project approvals and Indigenous legal issues. Niall helps clients make decisions and move projects forward in fast‑evolving regulatory environments. He brings a strategic, practical approach that al...
As part of Miller Thomson’s Advocacy Group, Christie advises Indigenous communities and businesses on environmental, Indigenous, administrative, regulatory, and ESG issues. She has appeared before the Federal Court, the BC Court of Appeal, the BC Supreme Court, the BC Provincial Court, the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, the Territorial Court of Yukon, and the Nunavut Court of Justice. Always involved in climate advocacy, Christie brings a compassionate, multifaceted approach to h...
Chris Hummel is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice and Administrative and Public Law. Chris practices law in Toronto, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Chris Hummel since 2027. 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 Chris Hummel is held by other lawyers.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
