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James Tate | Aboriginal Law

James Tate*

Partner
*Law Corporation
604-983-7618

Assistant: Kim Kayley

Education

  • B.A., University of Victoria, 1988
  • LL.B, University of British Columbia, 1998
  • Law Clerk BC Court of Appeal, 1998-1999
  • Law Clerk BC Supreme Court, 1999

Year Of Call

  • British Columbia, 2000

Awards & Accolades

  • Recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada™ as a leading lawyer in Aboriginal Law/Indigenous Practice. (Recognized consecutively since 2015)
  • Raymond Herbert Award for Best All-Round Graduating Student from UBC Law, 1999

Interview on CBC As It Happens about BC Court of Appeal decision on private medical records, April 2023 (at 47:30)

James is a litigator, negotiator, and acts as general counsel for a number of First Nations. As a litigator, his practice is focused on Aboriginal consultation and accommodation in relation to major resource projects. James has appeared at all levels of court in British Columbia and at the Federal Court of Canada.  He has also represented First Nation clients at various administrative tribunals, including the National Energy Board, the Environmental Appeal Board, the Specific Claims Tribunal, and local Assessment Appeal Boards.

As a negotiator for First Nation clients, James has concluded significant settlements with both the federal and provincial crown, including major economic benefit agreements, forest and range agreements, consultation agreements, BC Hydro agreements and specific claim settlements. James represents a Treaty 8 First Nation on a Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) claim.

He has also negotiated many agreements with corporate proponents, in diverse areas including forestry, independent power, and aquaculture. James has fostered the economic development of his clients through the establishment of business and governance structures and the acquisition of strategic assets, including forest tenures.

James won the Raymond Herbert Award for Best All-Round Graduating Student from UBC Law in 1999 and was one of five elected Valedictorians. He was a judicial law clerk at both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of British Columbia. Before law school, James worked in International Development, managing educational exchanges in fields such as small business, social services and agriculture. He is a former Director of Lawyer’s Rights Watch Canada and has travelled to Guatemala in support of threatened lawyers. James is the former Chair of the Board of Travel Cuts Ltd.

  • Fort Nelson First Nation v.  BC (MNFLNRO District Water Manager), 2012-ongoing, Environmental Appeal Board appeal related to authorization of long-term water license for fracking purposes – first time a First Nation granted standing under the Water Actfor non-reserve interest in territory
  • Lax Kw’alaams v. BC (MNFLNRO – (Forests)) (BCSC 2011) – delivery of forest tenures under Provincial Forest and Range Agreement (Settled)
  • Ehattesaht v. Canada (DFO), Grieg Seafoods Ltd. (2010 – ongoing, BCSC, Federal Court) –consultation and accommodation related to fish farm approval
  • Beattie v. Squamish Indian Band, 2005 FC 314 – founding jurisdiction for Band Assessment Appeal Board decisions in Federal Court
  • Huu-ay-aht v. Min. of Forests (2005, BCSC) Province’s FRA policy declared invalid
  • Squamish Nation v. MSRM, (2004, 2005, BCSC) inadequate consultation on Garibaldi ski hill
  • Gitxsan v. Min of Forests (2002, BCSC) consultation re TFL transfer
  • Director (former), Lawyer’s Rights Watch Canada
  • Chair of the Board (former), Travel Cuts Ltd.

James is a litigator, negotiator, and acts as general counsel for a number of First Nations. As a litigator, his practice is focused on Aboriginal consultation and accommodation in relation to major resource projects. James has appeared at all levels of court in British Columbia and at the Federal Court of Canada.  He has also represented First Nation clients at various administrative tribunals, including the National Energy Board, the Environmental Appeal Board, the Specific Claims Tribunal, and local Assessment Appeal Boards.

As a negotiator for First Nation clients, James has concluded significant settlements with both the federal and provincial crown, including major economic benefit agreements, forest and range agreements, consultation agreements, BC Hydro agreements and specific claim settlements. James represents a Treaty 8 First Nation on a Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) claim.

He has also negotiated many agreements with corporate proponents, in diverse areas including forestry, independent power, and aquaculture. James has fostered the economic development of his clients through the establishment of business and governance structures and the acquisition of strategic assets, including forest tenures.

James won the Raymond Herbert Award for Best All-Round Graduating Student from UBC Law in 1999 and was one of five elected Valedictorians. He was a judicial law clerk at both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of British Columbia. Before law school, James worked in International Development, managing educational exchanges in fields such as small business, social services and agriculture. He is a former Director of Lawyer’s Rights Watch Canada and has travelled to Guatemala in support of threatened lawyers. James is the former Chair of the Board of Travel Cuts Ltd.

  • Fort Nelson First Nation v.  BC (MNFLNRO District Water Manager), 2012-ongoing, Environmental Appeal Board appeal related to authorization of long-term water license for fracking purposes – first time a First Nation granted standing under the Water Actfor non-reserve interest in territory
  • Lax Kw’alaams v. BC (MNFLNRO – (Forests)) (BCSC 2011) – delivery of forest tenures under Provincial Forest and Range Agreement (Settled)
  • Ehattesaht v. Canada (DFO), Grieg Seafoods Ltd. (2010 – ongoing, BCSC, Federal Court) –consultation and accommodation related to fish farm approval
  • Beattie v. Squamish Indian Band, 2005 FC 314 – founding jurisdiction for Band Assessment Appeal Board decisions in Federal Court
  • Huu-ay-aht v. Min. of Forests (2005, BCSC) Province’s FRA policy declared invalid
  • Squamish Nation v. MSRM, (2004, 2005, BCSC) inadequate consultation on Garibaldi ski hill
  • Gitxsan v. Min of Forests (2002, BCSC) consultation re TFL transfer

Awards & Accolades

  • Recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada™ as a leading lawyer in Aboriginal Law/Indigenous Practice. (Recognized consecutively since 2015)
  • Raymond Herbert Award for Best All-Round Graduating Student from UBC Law, 1999
  • Director (former), Lawyer’s Rights Watch Canada
  • Chair of the Board (former), Travel Cuts Ltd.

Year Of Call

  • British Columbia, 2000

Education

  • B.A., University of Victoria, 1988
  • LL.B, University of British Columbia, 1998
  • Law Clerk BC Court of Appeal, 1998-1999
  • Law Clerk BC Supreme Court, 1999