Amyn F. Lalji has more than twenty years of experience representing Indigenous clients in negotiations and advocacy in respect of Canada’s largest resource-based projects and economic development initiatives. He also provides advice to Indigenous governments, leaders and development corporations in many areas of the law. Amyn is dedicated to providing exceptional service and representation for Indigenous clients and has been recognized as a leading lawyer in Canada practising in the area of Aboriginal law.
Amyn regularly represents Indigenous clients with respect to the development of mines, hydroelectric projects, oil and gas projects, pipelines, aggregate projects and other large scale resource development projects. In particular, he has represented First Nations across Canada in the negotiation and implementation of various collaborative agreements with industry and government across a broad range of resource sectors. In addition to negotiations, Amyn advocates for the section 35 rights of clients before various courts and tribunals including the Federal Court of Appeal, Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, Canadian Energy Regulator, Canadian Nuclear Safety Agency, Alberta Utilities Commission and the Alberta Energy Regulator.
Amyn also regularly advises Indigenous governments and leaders on section 35 rights, governance, tax, trusts, litigation and employment matters.
Amyn represents numerous First Nation development corporations and provides advice to their executives and boards on their roles, responsibilities, opportunities and potential liabilities in the areas of corporate, tax and employment law.
Memberships
- Law Society of British Columbia
- Law Society of Yukon
- Law Society of Alberta
- Law Society of Saskatchewan
- Canadian Bar Association, Aboriginal Law; Corporate Law; Environmental Law; and Natural Resources sections (B.C. branch)
Leadership
- Chair, Ismaili Legal Professionals of British Columbia
- Member, Circle for Indigenous Philanthropy
- Canadian Trainer, Supporting Inclusive Resource Development in East Africa initiative of the CBA
- Executive Member, Canadian Bar Association, B.C., Aboriginal Law Section
- Past Director, People’s Law School
- Elected member, Dalhousie University Senate (1998-1999)
- Leading Lawyer, Aboriginal Law, Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (2014-2016; 2022)
- Leading Lawyer, Global Mining, Canadian Lexpert Directory (2015-2016)
- Named in Lexpert/ROB Special Edition – Canada’s Leading Energy Lawyers (2014-2016)