Department profile
Fasken

Aboriginal Law

Canada Guide 2026 : Nationwide - Canada

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Fasken

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About

Provided by Fasken

Fasken has the depth of experience needed to guide project proponents to successful relationships and outcomes with Indigenous Peoples.

Relationships with Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) Peoples are critical to the success of contemporary developments anywhere in Canada. Fasken has hard earned experience in the development of these relationships and the strategies, policies and approaches that can lead to practical long term success.

Members of our group are spread across all our offices and have unparalleled experience in all aspects of Indigenous law in Canada (and around the World), including: reserve land development, consultation and accommodation, commercial agreements, impact and benefit agreements (IBAs) and all aspects of environmental assessment and permitting.

As in all areas of law, conflicts do sometimes arise. Fasken has the benefit of being involved from the very beginning of the development of Indigenous law in Canada. We have argued landmark cases before the Supreme Court of Canada redefining the concepts of Indigenous title and rights as well as establishing the principles associated with consultation and accommodation. We also have extensive experience with successfully defending challenges to permits and licenses by judicial review and pursuing practical and efficient injunctions to allow projects to continue development.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Aboriginal Law - Nationwide - Canada

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Fasken is a premier law firm with a long history in the Aboriginal law field. It enjoys a notable profile in Vancouver, from where the team is well placed to advise on matters arising in British Columbia and throughout Northern Canada. The Indigenous law group advises on a wide array of litigation and consultation matters, as well as acting for business clients on commercial agreements and joint ventures with Indigenous groups. The team is lauded for its extensive experience negotiating and drafting impact and benefit agreements on behalf of major industry players, regularly representing significant clients from the mining and energy sectors. The firm also acts for clients in other industries including real estate, telecommunications and transportation, as well as representing Crown corporations.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Fasken represented Coastal Gaslink Pipeline on Indigenous law issues arising in a major natural gas pipeline proposal to transport gas from northeast British Columbia to proposed LNG facilities on the northwest coast of British Columbia.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Fasken have deep understanding of the evolving nature of Indigenous law, Indigenous culture and the industry and incorporating this into effective strategies resulting in mutually beneficial outcomes.

    Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

  • Fasken are a good firm and definitely top-notch in Canada.

    Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

  • Fasken are very responsive and have always been able to assist when something unforeseen has happened, even at inconvenient or outside of work hours.

    Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

  • I have never met such intelligent, dedicated lawyers, who are people-centred and very compassionate.

    Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

  • The Fasken team have an excellent ability to handle difficult and complex situations, including those where they are negotiating with individuals for which the discussion points are emotional.

    Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Charles F Willms
    Charles F Willms

    Charles F Willms

    Vancouver-based Charles Willms has a wealth of experience in the field of Aboriginal law, including with regard to petroleum and natural gas rights. He is very well-versed in dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration, and garners considerable respect from the market.

    • Charles is outstanding.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada
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  • Kevin O'Callaghan
    Kevin O'Callaghan

    Kevin O'Callaghan

    Kevin O'Callaghan leads Fasken's Indigenous law group from Vancouver. He advises clients on mining projects and pipeline proposals, providing experience in both strategic and contentious Aboriginal engagement mandates.

    • Kevin's expertise on this matter has been phenomenal.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • Kevin is an all-round business guy. He has a strategic understanding of our stakeholders and a deep understanding of our business challenges.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • Kevin is very knowledgeable especially on the regulatory and permitting side.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • Kevin is the definition of calm and collected in every situation. He is able to quickly see solutions and develop effective strategy.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • Kevin's insight and experience is invaluable and his personal interaction and emotional intelligence is incredibly important to the work we do.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada
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  • Bridget Gilbride
    Bridget Gilbride

    Bridget Gilbride

    Bridget Gilbride is held in high esteem for her Indigenous law practice, which features particular expertise in litigation surrounding commercial and regulatory issues. She is based in Fasken's Vancouver office.

    • Bridget is an academic and, at the same time, very practical and strategic in her advice. She brings those two qualities together, which is hard to find. She is also highly responsive.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • Bridget provides us with very high quality and strategic advice. She is proactive and is able to see the big picture.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • Bridget is very detail-oriented and thorough.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • Bridget is very smart, very practical and very hard-working.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada
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  • Kai Alderson
    Kai Alderson

    Kai Alderson

    Kai Alderson has established a strong reputation for representing clients in the energy, infrastructure, mining and natural resource industries in their negotiations with Aboriginal groups.

    • Kai has an excellent ability to handle difficult and often emotionally-charged negotiations with clarity and a sense of calm, always providing sound legal advice.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • Kai keeps things moving and is very practical. He is willing to provide real advice about risks.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada
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  • Pierre-Christian Labeau
    Pierre-Christian Labeau

    Pierre-Christian Labeau

    Pierre-Christian Labeau has particular experience representing governmental entities and mining companies out of Fasken's Québec City office, providing notable experience in Aboriginal and constitutional law.

    • Pierre-Christian's experience in dealing with First Nations is probably his biggest asset.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • Pierre-Christian is a dedicated and competent lawyer, available for difficult situations.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada
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  • Zach Romano
    Zach Romano

    Zach Romano

    Zach Romano is based in Fasken's Vancouver office, where he regularly advises clients across Canada on a broad range of Indigenous and project development matters.

    • Zach is practical and sensible in the advice he provides.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • Zach is an exemplary individual, who combines his knowledge of Indigenous culture and values with the practicalities of industry and regulators to develop sophisticated and robust strategies.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • Zach is very strong in First Nations law and commercial matters and a pleasure to work with.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • Zach is a consummate professional with an ability to address challenging situations in a calm and clear manner. He has a diverse background that helps inform his advice and service.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada

    • Zach has a very long-term and progressive view of where we are moving. He has a good, sound view of what is happening across the country in terms of precedent and commitments.

      Aboriginal Law respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Fasken (6)

Nationwide - Canada

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