Called to the Bar: August, 1993 (British Columbia)
BACKGROUND
Jeff has over eight years of experience working directly with and for First Nations communities and individuals. He worked for the Tsilhqot'in Nation communities and the people of Ulkatcho (Anahim Lake) during his work as staff lawyer with the Nenqay Deni Yajelhtig Law Centre in Williams Lake until 2001, assisting them on a range of legal matters and social development initiatives.
He has also worked for several years with the Sto:lo Nation Justice Department in Chilliwack helping to manage and provide legal support to a traditional justice, conflict resolution and community building initiative among Sto:lo communities and Aboriginal persons in the Fraser Valley. He has also operated his own private law practice in the Lower Mainland focusing on First Nations legal issues.
Jeff has appeared at all levels of court in BC and has experience with:
* complex litigation and legal research
* government negotiations
* self-government and governance issues
* drafting legislation for First Nations
* specific claims
* additions to reserve
* implementing traditional systems of dispute resolution and governance
* First Nations cultural intellectual property issues
* land issues
* family, employment law and general civil litigation
EDUCATION
LLB - Faculty of Law, University of British Columbia, 1992
BA - University of Toronto, 1998
Family Law Mediation Certificate, Continuing Legal Education Society of BC - 2004
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Child, Family and Community Services Act - Continuing Legal Education Society of BC, Vancouver, March 14, 2005
People of the River Conference, Chilliwack, April 29, 2005
Legal education workshops to First Nations communities and lay advocates
