Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Aboriginal Law - Nationwide - Canada

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Cassels Brock & Blackwell is a well-established Canadian law firm with offices in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Its Aboriginal law group has a notable reputation for the representation of mining and energy industry clients, with its expertise extending to advising on impact and benefit agreements and business transactions, as well as related litigation. The practice is sought out by provincial governments and Indigenous bodies for its assistance with negotiations on various Aboriginal-related matters, including provincial regulations and treaties.

Work Highlights

  • Cassels Brock & Blackwell acted for Trans Mountain in connection to obtaining detailed route approvals for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, including more than 30 route hearings for landowners, municipalities and indigenous groups before the Canada Energy Regulator.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

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Thomas Isaac
1
Thomas Isaac
1
Band 1
Thomas Isaac is a highly esteemed litigator with considerable experience acting for governmental and corporate clients on contentious and constitutional matters, in addition to providing advice on a raft of regulatory matters. He chairs the firm's Aboriginal law group from its Vancouver office.

Tom is a legend. He has an incredible amount of experience and doesn't sugarcoat things and is willing to lay it all out on the line. He is responsive and willing to be a sounding board.

Tom is very knowledgeable in his field. He is very responsive and very aware of the politics and surrounding landscape.

Tom brings practicality to difficult problems through his wealth of knowledge and expertise in the Aboriginal law area.

Tom is extremely knowledgeable. He is probably THE expert in Canada on Aboriginal affairs. He is well-versed, knowledgeable and deals with things efficiently and quickly.

Tom has worked on a variety of projects across the country. He is called in a number of provinces, so is able to tell us what the trends are everywhere, which is a huge asset for us.

Sandra Gogal
2
Sandra Gogal
2
Band 2

Sandra Gogal is a Toronto-based lawyer who is held in high regard for her work in the Aboriginal law space. Her practice includes advising on impact and benefit agreements, as well as other commercial agreements, in relation to the development of mining and hydroelectric projects.

Sandra is a very strong Indigenous partner.

Sandra is very well-regarded.

Sandra is a trusted adviser in Indigenous relations. We rely on her strategic perspectives and thinking about how to achieve what we want and the importance of our relationship with First Nations.

Arend Hoekstra
4
Arend Hoekstra
4
Band 4

Vancouver-based Arend Hoekstra demonstrates a robust expertise in advising clients on liaisons and negotiations with Indigenous communities relating to major infrastructure projects, as well as issues relating to impact benefit agreements, permits and regulatory compliance. His clients include companies from the energy and mining sectors, as well as government entities.

Arend provides sound, practical advice and is an excellent communicator.

Arend is very focused on results and ensuring that the problem and desired result are well defined. He applies creativity and diligence to developing and delivering on the strategy.

Arend is extremely client-focused, very responsive and accommodating and has a very deep understanding of Indigenous law and the BC landscape.

Arend is responsive, gives practical advice and really understands what the issues are on the client side. He also gives a perspective on the Indigenous side to help us frame our responses.

Arend is efficient, knowledgeable, good to deal with and reactive also.

Jeremy Barretto
4
Jeremy Barretto
4
Band 4

Jeremy Barretto is an adept lawyer based in the firm's Calgary office. He demonstrates significant capabilities in acting for clients in the energy, oil and gas and mining sectors on their negotiations and agreements with Indigenous communities. He also has notable strength in advising clients on environmental assessments.

Jeremy is fantastic. He has a load of diverse experience, is very responsive and provides updates on a reasonable turnaround.

Jeremy is well-versed, articulate and practical, not to mention enjoyable to work with.

Jeremy is super responsive and very knowledgeable on the regulatory side. He is able to give us timely and appropriate advice on how to navigate aspects outside of pure regulatory issues.

Jared Enns
U
Jared Enns
U
Up and Coming

Jared Enns offers diverse strengths in Aboriginal Law matters, particularly in litigation matters. He frequently advises clients on trial and appellate work concerning title and rights disputes.

He's incredibly intelligent and has got a good way of explaining the law so we can relay it to non-lawyers.

Jared explains concepts in an easy-to-digest yet thorough manner. Jared is great to work with.

He's a very knowledgeable and very good lawyer. He's to the point and strategic, and I appreciate his work.

Ranked Lawyers at
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

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Filter by
Band

Nationwide - Canada

Aboriginal Law

Thomas Isaac
1
Thomas Isaac
1
Band 1
Sandra Gogal
2
Sandra Gogal
2
Band 2
Arend Hoekstra
4
Arend Hoekstra
4
Band 4
Jeremy Barretto
4
Jeremy Barretto
4
Band 4
Jared Enns
U
Jared Enns
U
Up and Coming