Business Details
Indigenous Legal Representation & Advocacy
JFK Law is a dedicated legal practice representing Indigenous communities across Canada. With offices in Vancouver, Victoria, and Toronto, our team of experienced litigators and negotiators specializes in advancing Aboriginal and Treaty rights through strategic litigation, consultation, and complex negotiations. We combine legal expertise with a deep commitment to justice, offering tailored solutions in areas such as specific claims, economic development, and governance.Recognized in the Chambers and Partners 2026 Canada rankings for Aboriginal Law, we prioritize cultural competency, ethical lawyering, and community empowerment. Our work extends beyond litigation to include pro-bono initiatives, youth education, and partnerships that foster sustainable Indigenous self-determination and economic growth.
Services
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Consultation and Accommodation
Complex Negotiations
Economic Development
Specific Claims
Highlights and features
- We have 20+ years of combined experience in Indigenous legal advocacy.
- Our team operates in courts across Canada, including the Supreme Court.
- We prioritize culturally informed, client-centered legal strategies.
- We maintain a national presence with localized community partnerships.
- Our firm offers pro-bono support and youth education initiatives.
Associations and certifications
- Chambers and Partners
Services
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
JFK Law's experienced litigators advocate for Indigenous rights in courts nationwide. We handle Aboriginal rights cases, Treaty infringement litigation, judicial reviews, and interventions. Our team has argued cases in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Yukon, and all levels of Federal Courts and the Supreme Court of Canada. We focus on cost-effective solutions while preparing for courtroom advocacy when necessary.
Consultation and Accommodation
We ensure governments fulfill their duty to consult Indigenous communities on decisions impacting rights. Our services include developing consultation processes, challenging inadequate decisions, and participating in environmental assessments. We represent clients before agencies like the Canada Energy Regulator and BC Environmental Assessment Office, ensuring Indigenous voices shape resource development projects.
Complex Negotiations
JFK Law supports Indigenous communities in modern Treaty negotiations and impact benefit agreements. We assist with land and cash packages, community outreach, and drafting agreements. Our team negotiates with governments and industry proponents to secure economic opportunities while preserving cultural and environmental integrity through legally binding frameworks.
Economic Development
We help Indigenous communities build sustainable economies through business structuring, governance frameworks, and commercial agreements. Our services include corporate governance advisory, regulatory compliance, and partnership agreements. We focus on balancing traditional values with modern economic opportunities in sectors like natural resources, tourism, and renewable energy.
Specific Claims
As national leaders in Specific Claims, we guide First Nations through the entire process from research to tribunal representation. Our team secures land repatriation and financial compensation for historical breaches, combining legal expertise with community partnership to address historical injustices and support future community development.
People
Sara Mainville
Managing Partner
Sara Mainville, Managing Partner at JFK Law, specializes in Indigenous governance and economic development. With extensive experience in corporate law and community partnerships, she advises First Nations on business structuring and self-governance frameworks.
Robert Janes
Partner
Robert Janes, KC, is a leading litigator at JFK Law with expertise in Aboriginal rights litigation. He has argued cases in the Supreme Court of Canada and focuses on Treaty infringement and constitutional law.
Clayton Leonard
Senior Counsel
Clayton Leonard, Senior Counsel, specializes in water law and regulatory processes. He represents Indigenous communities in environmental assessments and resource development negotiations, ensuring compliance with consultation obligations.
Brock Roe
Counsel
Brock Roe advises First Nations on governance and economic development, with a focus on natural resource agreements and land management under the Indian Act and modern Treaties.
Erika Voaklander
Associate
Erika Voaklander supports Indigenous communities in self-determination initiatives, including treaty implementation and law drafting. Her work focuses on advancing Aboriginal rights through legal frameworks and policy development.
Questions
What areas of law does JFK Law specialize in?
We specialize in Indigenous legal advocacy, including litigation, consultation, complex negotiations, economic development, and specific claims.
Do you represent clients outside Canada?
Our focus is exclusively on Indigenous communities and legal matters within Canada.
How do you handle consultation process challenges?
We assist communities in developing their own consultation frameworks and challenge inadequate Crown decisions through regulatory and court processes.
What experience do you have with Treaty negotiations?
We have represented Indigenous groups in modern Treaty processes for over a decade, including land packages and implementation frameworks.
