Robert Janes KC KC
Canada Guide 2025
Band 1 : Aboriginal Law - Representation of Indigenous Peoples
Band 1
About
Provided by Robert Janes KC KC
Practice Areas
Robert Janes, KC practices civil litigation in the Victoria, Vancouver and Toronto offices, focusing on constitutional, aboriginal and commercial litigation.
He 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.
Practice Focus Areas:
Civil and constitutional litigation
Treaty negotiation and implementation
Crown consultation and accommodation
First Nation-Industry negotiations
First Nation governance matters
Interpretation of the Indian Act
Career
Robert’s focus is serving the needs of First Nations, Aboriginal organizations and individuals and assisting others who have difficult constitutional or public law issues. His work in these areas builds on a broad portfolio of litigation experience in the courts across Canada, including cases in British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, Yukon and in the Federal Courts system. Robert has appeared for appellants and interveners in the Supreme Court of Canada.
Robert assists his clients in a wide diversity of cases including those respecting Aboriginal title and rights, consultation and accommodation, environmental law and the interpretation and application of the Indian Act to bands and individuals. Robert has also appeared in cases that have clarified the operation of British Columbia’s land title system, changed the way that prisoners are subjected to solitary confinement in Canada’s prison system and defended the rights of people and companies charged with various criminal and regulatory offences.
Robert advises clients involved in the British Columbia Treaty Process as well as in large regulatory processes (such as the LNG and oil sands environmental assessments and approval processes).
Professional Memberships
Kings Counsel
Law Society of British Columbia
Law Society of Ontario
Canadian Bar Association
Personal
Originally from Newfoundland, Robert came to British Columbia first in the early 1980’s to study at Pearson College. From there he studied across Canada until he obtained his law degree from the University of Toronto in 1991. Robert joined the bar of Ontario in 1992 and then practiced litigation with a major national law firm until he came to British Columbia in 1998. In 2009 Robert was part of the original group of owners who founded JFK Law Corporation and is based in JFK’s Toronto office.