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CAN'T FIND SOMETHING? |
Business in Vancouver December 30, 2008-January 5, 2009; issue 1001 Merle Alexander Partner, Boughton Law Corporation, Age: 37 He doesn’t have double-O status, but Merle Alexander is among a select group having been involved in cases before the Supreme Court of Canada even before completing his law degree. During his second year of law school at the University of Victoria, he worked on some of the legal research on the groundbreaking Delgamuukw case that established aboriginal title in B.C. in 1997. “I got to watch it get argued in the Supreme Court of Canada, which was pretty amazing. It was amazing timing to be there just at that right time.” Despite participating in a historic case, he eventually decided to focus on helping First Nations communities more directly than through the courts. “I thought maybe I should set my sights on something more tangible like business, as there’s always going to be extreme demand for aboriginal economic development.” Over the past few years, he’s been involved in several multimillion-dollar First Nations developments throughout the province. Since joining Boughton five years ago, he’s created one of the largest aboriginal law groups in Canada, bringing together a 10-member team, seven of which are of aboriginal ancestry. Aboriginal law now represents about 10% of the firm’s total annual billings, up from 0.5% when he first joined the firm. He’s now general counsel for Royal Bank’s aboriginal banking group, the First Nations Forestry Council, the First Nations Summit and the BC Assembly of First Nations, to name a few. He also spends from eight to 10 weeks a year doing UN advocacy work on indigenous and environmental issues around the world, while also working with mining and pipeline companies on incorporating traditional land use into environmental assessments. “I can do work at the international level, but I’m informed by what’s going on at the community level and have a better mindset on what should be changed at the national level. The issues seem far removed, but the more work I do, the more it starts to converge.” • Birthplace: North Vancouver (raised in Terrace) Where do you live now: Tsleil Waututh First Nation’s Reserve (North Vancouver) Highest level of education: LLB, BA (political science) Car or chosen mode of transport: Lexus RX400h Currently reading: In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar Last CD bought or music downloaded: Live Sessions by Kathleen Edwards Favourite movie: In the Mood for Love Favourite local restaurant: Arms Reach in Deep Cove Profession you would most like to try: International film critic Mentors: Dave Porter (aboriginal political leader), Stella Alexander (my mom) Toughest business or professional decision: Staying in law after I lost my first job What’s left to do: Build the biggest, baddest, most influential aboriginal law practice in the country, see the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People be implemented in Canada, start a family, build a home … not necessarily in that order |
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