As one of the founding partners of Devlin Gailus, the predecessor to DGW Law Corporation and the current Sequoia Legal, Christopher has dedicated his career to protecting and advancing Indigenous rights in Canada.
Christopher’s practice focuses on Aboriginal and Treaty law on behalf of First Nations, tribal councils, Métis groups and other Indigenous organizations.
Christopher works with Indigenous peoples throughout Canada, as a litigator, negotiator and strategic advisor. He has appeared as counsel at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as before administrative tribunals and regulatory panels. He has negotiated multi-party agreements on behalf of Indigenous clients, including specific claim settlements, consultation process agreements and impact benefit agreements.
Christopher is a most frequently recommended lawyer in the area of Aboriginal Law, as recognized by the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, and has also been named an Aboriginal Law “Lawyer of the Year” for Vancouver Island by Best Lawyers.
Representative Experience
Litigation
Represented First Nations, Métis and Indigenous groups in Aboriginal and Treaty rights litigation, consultation, governance and employment matters
Appeared as counsel of record before the superior courts in British Columbia, Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and before the Specific Claims Tribunal, the Federal Court, the Federal Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada
Represented Treaty 8 First Nations in their claim that the boundary of Treaty 8 lies at the Arctic-Pacific divide. This claim was affirmed by the BC Supreme Court after 60 days of trial, and again by the Court of Appeal after a 3 day hearing
Represented the North Slave Métis Alliance in their claim, also successfully confirmed after trial, that Canada did not adequately consult with them on the NWTMN AiP
Negotiation
Negotiated consultation protocol agreement between Indigenous clients and public agencies
Negotiated impact benefit agreements between Indigenous clients and resource proponents in the forestry, oil and gas, and mining sectors
Negotiated specific claims on behalf of First Nations with Canada
Economic Development
Transaction work on behalf of First Nation clients respecting purchase and sale of commercial lands and assets, construction of passenger ferry, purchase and sale of business as going concerns
Trust work for First Nations for land and cash settlements
Corporate work for First Nations and First Nation owned entities
Tax opinions respecting First Nations and First Nation controlled entities
Governance and Strategic Planning
- Provided strategic advice to Indigenous clients on leveraging Aboriginal and Treaty rights to preserve their lands and practices, and to benefit from the development of those lands for future generations.
Professional and Community Activities
Member of the Law Society of British Columbia since May 1998
Member of the Law Societies of Alberta and Northwest Territories
Past chairperson, National Aboriginal Law Section, Canadian Bar Association
President, Board of Directors, Royal and McPherson Theatres Society
Member at Large, General Committee, Union Club of British Columbia
Frequent author and presenter on issues of Aboriginal law
Guest lecturer on Aboriginal law issues at UVic and UBC law schools
Witness on Aboriginal law issues before Parliamentary committees
