Vyas Saran - Lawyer | Ratcliff LLP

Vyas V.C. Saran

(he/him/his)

Associate
604 988 5201
[email protected]

Legal Assistant & Paralegal
Tyler Frankum
[email protected]

Vyas provides legal advice to Indigenous communities to help them achieve their social, economic, and political aspirations. Drawing on his diverse background in policy development, strategic litigation, and labour advocacy, his practice focuses on Indigenous governance and treaty implementation. 

Vyas’ experience includes: 

  • Drafting of legislation and policy with attention to harmonizing inherent Indigenous laws into regimes 
  • Supporting Aboriginal and environmental litigation, appeals, and complex administrative cases, including novel applications of the Charter 
  • Assisted on the first successful case to invoke BC’s anti-SLAPP law to protect citizens advocating against land-use development, establishing a precedent for democratic expression on matters of public interest 
  • Designing sovereign wildlife management regimes for First Nations 
  • Negotiating, drafting, and implementing contracts and collective agreements for long-term care workers 

Throughout his education, Vyas actively pursued opportunities to expand his knowledge of Indigenous laws and legal theories, and to contribute his skills on the ground to support Indigenous-led movements. Before joining Ratcliff in 2023, Vyas worked with the hua foundation, Pivot Legal Society, Tollefson Law, and the BC General Employees Union

Vyas is also a skillful writer and educator, having written pieces for The Tyee and other major publications, and contributed to legal seminars related to racial and economic justice. Vyas was born to refugees from Fiji and is the descendant of Girmitiyas from Tamil Nadu and northern India. Outside of legal and community work, Vyas enjoys photography, painting, reading, and playing tabla. 

Education

  • B.A. Political Science, University of British Columbia, 2016 
  • J.D., University of Victoria, 2021

Year Of Call

  • British Columbia, 2023