Best Lawyers in British Columbia, Canada for Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice
Kathryn lives and works in the unceded territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən People. She works with Indigenous groups, communities and organizations on matters related to governance. Kathryn’s practice is focused primarily on the negotiation and implementation of self-governance agreements and arrangements. She also enjoys facilitating workshops and training sessions on matters related to governance, and working with Indigenous groups on developing their Constitutions and laws. Kathryn is a practi...
With experience developed from a national practice, Mark provides advice that is tailored to specific goals and needs of each client. Mark regularly advises First Nations on all matters relating to natural resources projects, including Crown consultation processes, regulatory hearings and environmental assessments. He has experience negotiating and drafting impact benefit agreements with proponents of all sizes. Mark’s practice involves a strong community focus and helping communities d...
Paul C. Wilson is Chair of the firm’s Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources group. His practice focuses on energy, infrastructure, transportation and natural resources projects, with an emphasis on environmental and Indigenous matters. Paul negotiates project contracts, concession agreements and deals with environmental assessments and permitting for major infrastructure, port infrastructure, energy and mining projects. Paul is also recognized for his experience related to project...
Maya Stano is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice and Environmental Law. Maya practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Maya Stano since 2024. 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 Maya Stano is held by other lawyers.
Karin has done extensive legal work on behalf of First Nations in relation to treaty rights, consultation, environmental protection, and negotiating impact benefit agreements. She also practices in the area of environmental law, representing landowners, NGOs and companies, and served as the President of the Environmental Law Centre. As a trial lawyer, Karin has successfully represented clients in litigation in relation to the defence of malpractice claims, the protection of land and environme...
Brent Olthuis is an experienced litigator with a broad practice. He represents individual and corporate clients in civil and commercial matters and also regularly acts for regulated professions and their member professionals, as well as for other public bodies. He has acted as external counsel to the Auditor General of Canada in respect of the 2015 audit of the Senate and for the Attorney General of British Columbia in constitutional proceedings. He presently acts for the City of Richmond in ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
