Aboriginal Law

Our firm provides legal services to band councils, First Nations corporations and trusts, joint ventures, charities and First Nation members on a variety of legal issues. For many years we have represented individuals and organizations particularly from the Six Nations (Canada's largest reserve) and the Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation, both of which are located in close proximity to Brantford.

Personal Services

We act for individual First Nation members with respect to wills and estate planning and administration, business planning, family law, employment issues, personal injury and contract litigation. We are experienced in will drafting and estate administration for members whether they reside or have property on or off the reserve. Our business planning services include the preparation of partnership and joint venture agreements; incorporation of companies and the preparation of shareholder agreements; business succession planning, contract drafting and the provision of advice on all matters affecting a business in the context of the law as it impacts on First Nations. Our family law practitioners are experienced in dealing with issues which may be complex as a result of jurisdictional issues, such as custody, division of property, and support collection. Our litigation lawyers provide advice and representation to members with respect to employment disputes (often in the context of the Canada Labour Code), accident and negligence injury claims and personal or commercial litigation matters.

Organizations and Institutions

We act for First Nations and for corporations, joint ventures, trusts and charities which are resident or carry on their activities on a reserve. We provide advice and representation to such organizations on contract preparation and negotiation; employment issues; business acquisitions; tax matters; land and chattel purchases and leases and litigation. Our corporate lawyers (all of whom also have personal experience acting as directors of share capital or non-share capital corporations or as trustees) have assisted in the organization, creation and maintenance of businesses, trusts, corporations and charitable organizations. We have created organizational constitutions, and have experience with groups who prefer to make decisions on a consensual basis. Our lawyers and staff have been involved with the creation and maintenance of both for-profit and not-for-profit federal and Ontario corporations. We have acted for borrowers and lenders with respect to the financing of First Nation organizations and have reviewed funding arrangements and agreements. Our lawyers have also, as a public service, conducted seminars on reserve with respect to business organization and tax matters.