“I am excited to become part of the Ratcliff team and share my experience, working with First Nations in a self-government context, to further advance our First Nation clients’ aboriginal rights, titles and interests” 

We are pleased to announce that Victoria B. Fred, an experienced barrister practicing in Whitehorse, Yukon, will be working in conjunction with Ratcliff LLP as an Independent Associate Counsel.

Drawing on her 20-year experience acting for First Nations in Yukon, Victoria’s expertise will strengthen our ability to provide leading legal advice to our existing Yukon clients as well as meet and collaborate with new communities in the north.

Called to the bar in both British Columbia and Yukon, Victoria’s practice focuses on administrative and constitutional law, Indigenous law, traditional knowledge, administration of justice and trusts as these areas apply to First Nation issues. She also brings to Ratcliff an outstanding portfolio of experience in negotiations and the implementation of the Yukon land claims and self-government agreements. With a deep knowledge of Indigenous laws, Ms. Fred supports Yukon First Nations in the areas of trusts, First Nation constitutions, intergovernmental relations, administrative law, and administration of justice.

“I am excited to become part of the Ratcliff team and share my experience, working with First Nations in a self-government context, to further advance our First Nation clients’ aboriginal rights, titles and interests.  The synergies between my practice and the work that Ratcliff engages in provides tremendous opportunities to further advance our clients interests,” Victoria says. “Ratcliff stands out as a firm that continues to push the concepts and practical applications of Indigenous law forward – this is important to me as an Indigenous woman and an Indigenous lawyer. I look forward to bringing my unique perspective to bear on the growing alignment between B.C. and Yukon First Nations issues and working to contribute to Ratcliff’s strong reputation.”

Victoria is Tlingit and a member of the Gaanaxtei.di Clan; a mother of a daughter; a grandmother to a grandson; and a beneficiary and citizen of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation. We look forward to collaborating with her and continuing to support, empower and represent our clients’ interests by providing strategic legal advice, insights, and intelligence that enables them to achieve their goals.

See Victoria’s full biography here.