Department profile
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

Aboriginal Law

Canada Guide 2026 : Nationwide - Canada

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Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Aboriginal Law - Nationwide - Canada

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.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • 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

Provided by Chambers

  • I am very impressed with Cassels and their services.

    Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

  • Cassels have very broad expertise in Indigenous law and are a very client-focused firm. They are strong in BC, but also able to give strategic advice throughout Canada.

    Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

  • Cassels are our go-to in Indigenous matters. They are our gold star and highly exceed anyone else we have worked with. They are responsive, personable and think of things before we do.

    Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

  • Cassels are recognised national leaders in Aboriginal law. No Aboriginal law issues are outside of their expertise. Their extensive work in the field brings value to commercial discussions.

    Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

  • Cassels employs a very practical and realistic approach that is very focused on desired outcomes and the most effective way to achieve them.

    Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Thomas Isaac
    Thomas Isaac

    Thomas Isaac

    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.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

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

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

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

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • 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.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • 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.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada
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  • Sandra Gogal
    Sandra Gogal

    Sandra Gogal

    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.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • Sandra is very well-regarded.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • 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.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada
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  • Arend Hoekstra
    Arend Hoekstra

    Arend Hoekstra

    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.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • 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.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

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

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • 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.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

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

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada
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  • Jeremy Barretto
    Jeremy Barretto

    Jeremy Barretto

    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.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

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

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • 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.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada
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  • Jared Enns
    Jared Enns

    Jared Enns

    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.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

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

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

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

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP (5)

Nationwide - Canada

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