Best Lawyers in Ontario, Canada for Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice
Robert Janes practices civil litigation, focusing on constitutional, aboriginal and commercial litigation Robert Janes 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. Robert’s focu...
Roger Townshend, a founding partner of OKT, is now a senior counsel to the firm. He practices Aboriginal , Constitutional, human rights , and administrative law, with particular stress on land claims litigation. He has a B.Sc (Hons.) in Mathematics. He has appeared in Court and advised on numerous cases relating to Aboriginal law claims including claims related to Aboriginal title and other Aboriginal rights and treaty rights, and duty to consult and accommodate cases. His court work has also...
Krista Nerland is a partner at OKT. Her practice focuses on litigation related to Aboriginal rights, Aboriginal title, and treaty rights; human rights and discrimination; and advancing Indigenous jurisdiction. Krista has particular expertise in appellate litigation and has appeared at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Krista holds a J.D. with honours from the University of Toronto, where she received awards for academic excellence and highest standing in constitution...
Jessica Orkin has a broad litigation practice including criminal, civil and administrative law matters, with an emphasis on constitutional, human rights, Aboriginal rights and access to information law matters. Jessica appears at all levels of court, including the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada. She is also a frequent speaker at legal conferences and seminars. Jessica received her law degree from the University of Toronto. She also holds an M.Phil. degree in Devel...
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...
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...
Cathy serves as the Chief Executive Officer and a partner at OKT. Her practice is focused on advancing Aboriginal and treaty rights through litigation and negotiation. Cathy has represented clients in applications and actions in Ontario and Manitoba, as well as in federal court and at the Supreme Court of Canada. She has also represented Indigenous clients in proceedings and tribunals regarding election processes, labour and employment, and environmental assessment. Cathy provides negotiation...
Senwung Luk is a partner at OKT. He has appeared in different levels of court and tribunals, including the Supreme Court of Canada and various courts of appeal, representing Indigenous clients fighting for their rights. He focuses on the protection of sacred spaces and cultural sites, in asserting treaty rights, in on-reserve service delivery, and in the duty to consult and accommodate Indigenous communities. He has published a number of peer-reviewed articles on the Crown's fiduciary obligat...
Nancy Kleer is one of the founding partners of OKT. In her practice of Aboriginal rights, she represents Aboriginal clients responding to a variety of resource developments, including mineral exploration, mining, and hydroelectric development, in negotiations and litigation. She also advises on federal and provincial environmental protection and assessment law. She provides legal advice and does legal drafting on issues addressed in negotiations for comprehensive land claims, Aboriginal self-...
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...
Judith Rae is a Partner at OKT committed to advancing Indigenous peoples’ goals. Her focus areas include governance, child welfare, health and education. She has also worked on protecting Indigenous lands and resources, developing Indigenous laws, constitutional and human rights, and a number of other strategic, negotiation & litigation matters. In addition to her legal background, Judith also has a Masters in Social Work and experience working with youth at risk. She offers inter-d...
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...
Bryce Edwards is a partner at OKT. He provides legal and strategic advice on lands and resource matters, on-reserve infrastructure, government to government negotiations, mining, energy, and land use planning. He is class counsel on national class actions regarding infrastructure on reserve, and does work addressing the intersection of Indigenous legal orders and the Canadian regulatory state. Bryce graduated from the University of Toronto, where he was the co-founder and first Editor-in-Chie...
Brian Gover 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, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defence and Health Care Law. Brian practices law in Toronto, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Brian Gover since 2008. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recog...
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...
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...
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.
