Best Lawyers in Ontario, Canada for Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice

Graham Ragan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice, Administrative and Public Law and Public Procurement Law. Graham, who practices law in Ottawa, Ontario, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Graham is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrew practices in the areas of constitutional law, appeals, administrative law, labour and employment law, and pension litigation. He clerked for Madam Justice (now Chief Justice) Beverley McLachlin of the Supreme Court of Canada in 1989-90. Prior to joining Paliare Roland, he worked at a national law firm, and taught law at Ottawa University and Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. He has appeared in more than 20 cases before the Supreme Court of Canada, and regularly appears before ...

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 ...

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...

Nader R. Hasan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice, Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice, Criminal Defence and Privacy and Data Security Law. Nader R., who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nader R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Adam Chamberlain is an active member of Gowling WLG's Environmental Law, Indigenous Law and the Canada North Practice Groups. Certified as a Specialist in Environmental Law by the Law Society of Upper Canada, Adam has practised environmental and energy law for most of his career, focused on infrastructure development. Adam's practice encompasses diverse matters related to the environmental and other regulatory requirements involved with project development. Adam is also extensively involved i...

Christopher Rae practices civil and commercial litigation. He has broad experience litigating a variety of civil and commercial disputes (including contract, shareholder and governance disputes), fraud, breach of confidence, product liability, professional negligence, insurance and insurance brokering. Christopher is also a member of Fasken’s Indigenous Legal Matters practice group. Christopher regularly represents clients across a range of industries, including agriculture, mining, aut...

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...

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). During her early practice years with a well-known...

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...

Alyssa Flaherty-Spence is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice. Alyssa, who practices law in Ottawa, Ontario, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alyssa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.