Matthew Kirchner, Partner
Education:
- BA and LL.B from University of British Columbia
- Legal research assistant to director of UBC First Nations Legal Studies Program
- Law Clerk, BC Supreme Court
Professional and Other Memberships:
- Law Society of British Columbia 1999
- Canadian Bar Association
Practice Areas:
- Aboriginal Law
- aboriginal land and resource issues
- aboriginal fishing rights and related issues
- Indian Act issues
- specific claims
- general aboriginal litigation
- Civil litigation
- Administrative and Constitutional Law
- Environmental Law
- Fisheries Law
Matthew has practiced law since 1999, focusing primarily on First Nations issues. After serving as a law clerk in the British Columbia Supreme Court, Matthew articled with Ratcliff and Company and then remained as an associate until 2008 when he became a partner. He has appeared before all levels of court in British Columbia, the Federal Courts and in Supreme Court of Canada on a wide range of cases, primarily for First Nation clients. Recently, he was counsel on several significant aboriginal rights and title cases including major aboriginal fishing rights cases for the Lax Kw'alaams Band and several Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. He has also appeared in the Supreme Court of Canada in Osoyoos Indian Band v. Oliver (Town) which concerned reserve land issues and in R. v. Kapp, which concerned aboriginal fishing matters.
Matthew has written several articles on aboriginal rights and title issues for legal education conferences. Most recently he has presented papers on these subjects at conferences sponsored by the Continuing Legal Education Society and Pacific Business and the Law. Matthew is on the board of directors of the Georgia Strait Alliance, a citizens group aimed at protecting the marine environment around the Strait of Georgia. Matthew lives in Vancouver with his wife Lisa Osoba and their children Ella and Charlie.
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