Called to the Bar: June, 1997 (British Columbia)
PRACTICE
Allan has practiced aboriginal law since being called to the British Columbia Bar in 1997. Much of his time has been devoted to residential school claims. Allan was part of the firm's legal team that argued the first residential school cases that went to trial in Canada and participated in the appeals. Since then he has represented dozens of Indian residential school survivors and successfully pursued their claims through negotiation, the Alternate Dispute Resolution Process and now, under the national Settlement Agreement, through the Independent Assessment Process. Allan has also worked in other areas of aboriginal law with both individual and band clients.
For more than a year Allan has been studying climate change as it affects First Nations and is now prepared to advise our clients on policies and programs that have some potential to assist them as they face this growing and serious problem.
BACKGROUND
Law is Allan's third major career. He has 14 years experience in politics and government including seven years with the Manitoba Government as a ministerial aide and senior civil servant. In 1977, Allan moved to British Columbia where he had his own construction and energy conservation business. He also spent several years in real estate sales and development.
EDUCATION
University of British Columbia, 1996, LL.B.
