Ranking tables

Aboriginal Law - Representation of Indigenous Peoples | Canada

Nationwide - Canada

Firms operating in this area advise First Nations and Aboriginal groups as well as private companies or government clients in their dealings with First Nations. In the USA, gaming law and regulatory work as well as casino development have traditionally been key areas of this market; in Canada this section includes a strong emphasis on energy project development and consultation and accommodation processes. There is also a growing emphasis on economic development and business transactions involving First Nations. Chambers Canada ranks firms who act exclusively for First Nations in a separate subtable.

Rankings overview for Departments

2

Band 2

  1. Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
    Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP 7 Years Ranked
  2. First Peoples Law
  3. Mandell Pinder LLP
  4. Pape Salter Teillet Barristers and Solicitors
3

Band 3

  1. Aird & Berlis LLP
    Aird & Berlis LLP 1 Years Ranked
  2. MLT Aikins LLP 3 Years Ranked
  3. Nahwegahbow Corbiere Genoodmagejig Barristers & Solicitors
  4. Woodward & Company
S

Senior Statespeople

  1. Brian Crane KC
    Brian Crane KC Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP9 Years Ranked
  2. Allan DonovanFirst Peoples Law
  3. Gregory McDade KCRatcliff LLP
  4. James O'ReillyO'Reilly & Associates
  5. Jean TeilletPape Salter Teillet Barristers and Solicitors
2

Band 2

  1. Robert Freedman
    Robert Freedman Aird & Berlis LLP8 Years Ranked
  2. Scott Smith
    Scott Smith Aird & Berlis LLP2 Years Ranked
  3. Brenda GaertnerMandell Pinder LLP
  4. Bruce McIvorFirst Peoples Law
  5. Christopher DevlinSequoia Legal LLP
  6. David SchulzeDionne Schulze

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. JFK Law LLP
    1
    JFK Law LLP
    Aboriginal Law - Representation of Indigenous Peoples
    2025 | Band 1 | 7 Years Ranked
    JFK Law is a top-tier Aboriginal and constitutional law firm with a sterling reputation in BC, as well as in Alberta, Ontario and the Yukon. The firm provides a full range of legal services to First Nations, Indian bands and individuals, offering notable expertise in relation to modern treaty negotiations and the duty to consult during energy and natural resources projects, as well as Charter litigation, and is highly regarded for its experience before the Supreme Court. The team also advises on First Nations economic development and governance structures.
  2. Miller Titerle + Company LLP
    1
    Miller Titerle + Company LLP
    Aboriginal Law - Representation of Indigenous Peoples
    2025 | Band 1 | 7 Years Ranked
    Miller Titerle + Company is a dynamic Vancouver-based business law firm with a strong focus on the economic development of First Nations. The team offers support across the full range of Aboriginal issues, including project development, governance, rights and title, corporate transactions, family, employment, real estate and environmental law. It demonstrates considerable aptitude for leveraging the multidisciplinary strengths of its team to offer sound commercialsupport. The firm is also involved in advising on government-to-government agreements, including reconciliation actions.
  3. Olthuis Kleer Townshend
    1
    Olthuis Kleer Townshend
    Aboriginal Law - Representation of Indigenous Peoples
    2025 | Band 1 | 7 Years Ranked
    Olthuis Kleer Townshend is a standout Toronto law firm with an impressive reputation and significant national reach in the area of Aboriginal law. It regularly represents First Nations clients in business law matters, including economic development and natural resources project work. The firm also advises on employment law, constitutional law, administrative legal procedures and self-governance, with a notable track record for handling Aboriginal and treaty rights litigation before all levels of court and regulatory tribunals. Its lawyers demonstrate considerable aptitude for counselling tribal councils in negotiations with provincial governments concerning major mining projects. They are supported by an additional office in Yellowknife.
  4. Ratcliff LLP
    Aboriginal Law - Representation of Indigenous Peoples
    2025 | Band 1
2

Band 2

  1. Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
    2
    Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
    Aboriginal Law - Representation of Indigenous Peoples
    2025 | Band 2 | 7 Years Ranked
    Gowling WLG houses an impressive Aboriginal law team that offers assistance to clients including several First Nations from its offices across Canada, most notably from Ottawa and Vancouver. The group's counsel spans a range of areas including treaty and inherent rights, duty to consult and impact benefit agreements, self-government and economic development. Working collaboratively with colleagues in the energy, infrastructure and mining fields, the group also has substantial experience representing private industry and project proponents in their dealings with Aboriginal communities. The firm's work has also involved matters concerning Aboriginal rights and title in Newfoundland and Labrador. The team is active assisting First Nations organisations as project proponents in the renewable energy space.
  2. First Peoples Law
    Aboriginal Law - Representation of Indigenous Peoples
    2025 | Band 2
  3. Mandell Pinder LLP
    Aboriginal Law - Representation of Indigenous Peoples
    2025 | Band 2
  4. Pape Salter Teillet Barristers and Solicitors
    Aboriginal Law - Representation of Indigenous Peoples
    2025 | Band 2
3

Band 3

  1. Aird & Berlis LLP
    3
    Aird & Berlis LLP
    Aboriginal Law - Representation of Indigenous Peoples
    2025 | Band 3 | 1 Years Ranked
    Aird & Berlis offers significant expertise in assisting Indigenous clients with a wide variety of matters, including litigation, treaty negotiations and environmental agreements. Its lawyers offer further expertise in transactions, consultation and economic development matters involving Aboriginal groups. The firm enjoys a notable profile in Vancouver and Toronto.
  2. 3
    MLT Aikins LLP
    Aboriginal Law - Representation of Indigenous Peoples
    2025 | Band 3 | 3 Years Ranked
    MLT Aikins fields a broad team focusing on Aboriginal law, with expertise based in each of its offices across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. The firm regularly acts for First Nations and Indigenous-owned corporations on a variety of corporate and commercial matters. These include mergers and acquisitions, as well as housing development projects. Its lawyers also represent clients on disputes relating to land ownership.
  3. Nahwegahbow Corbiere Genoodmagejig Barristers & Solicitors
    Aboriginal Law - Representation of Indigenous Peoples
    2025 | Band 3
  4. Woodward & Company
    Aboriginal Law - Representation of Indigenous Peoples
    2025 | Band 3