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Aboriginal Law

Helping to bring benefits and self-reliance to Indigenous communities

Ratcliff is respected and recognized as one of Canada’s leading Aboriginal law firms representing First Nations and Indigenous clients. For over 50 years, we’ve been helping Indigenous peoples regain lost lands, re-establish Aboriginal rights including commercial fishing rights, regain control and economic opportunities over their territories, and establish sustainable economic development to bring benefits and self-reliance to Indigenous communities.

Recent recognitions

  • Ranked Band 1 in Aboriginal Law – Representation of Indigenous Peoples, Chambers Canada (2023 & 2024 editions)
  • Recognized as ‘Elite Boutique’ for Indigenous Law, The Legal 500 (2023 & 2024 editions)
  • Selected among Canada’s Best Law Firms (Aboriginal Law/Indigenous Law), The Globe and Mail (2022-2024 consecutively)
  • Awarded 2023 Law Firm of the Year – Aboriginal Law/Indigenous Practice, The Best Lawyers in Canada
  • Chosen as First Nations Litigation Law Firm of the Year 2022 (Canada), Global Law Experts

Our lawyers who serve First Nations communities

FRANCES ANKEMAN

Associate

JAMIE ARBEAU

Associate

KATE M. BLOMFIELD*

Partner

RUSSELL CHIONG

Associate

MICHELLE M. ELLISON*

Partner

CRAIG EMPSON

Associate

VICTORIA B. FRED*

Independent
Associate Counsel

MARIO GARCIA

Associate 

LISA C. GLOWACKI*

Partner

DARREN HAINES

Associate

GRACE HERMANSEN

Associate

TEGAN HEYWOOD

Associate

EWA HOLENDER

Associate

EMMA HUME

Associate

NATHAN HUME*

Partner

LEON JACOBS

Associate

KEVIN D. LEE*

Managing Partner

R. BRENT LEHMANN*

Partner

GREGORY J. MCDADE* KC

Senior Counsel

HANNAH MCDONALD

Associate

BRENDA A. MCLUHAN*

Partner

JEFFREY R. NICHOLLS

Associate

KRISTY A. POZNIAK

Associate

JOHN R. RICH

Senior Counsel

ARSENIY SHCHEDRINSKIY

Associate

JEREMY SHELFORD*

Partner

VERONICA A. SINGER*

Partner

MELINDA SKEELS*

Partner

KARL P. STEPHAN*

Senior Counsel

TYLER STRUYK

Associate

NATALIA SUDEYKO

Associate

JAMES TATE*

Partner

SIMON TURNER

Associate

GARY R. YABSLEY*

Senior Counsel

*Law Corporation

“In order to be healthy, individuals and communities need to provide for themselves. We help communities become healthier, self-sustaining, and productive.”

Hannah McDonald, Associate

Ready when you are

Our lawyers offer a broad range of experience and expertise, with a client-first philosophy to help you achieve your goals.

SERVICES THAT EMPOWER

We collaborate with our clients and their communities to enable them to achieve their goals as full and equal partners in law, business, and life.

Aboriginal Law British Columbia