Tim Watson

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Tim Watson (he/him)
Tel: 250.216.8644
Fax: 250.361.9429
timw@dgwlaw.ca
Connect with Tim on LinkedIn

Tim is a Director of Devlin Gailus Watson who, before attending law school, worked as a consultant in a boutique consulting firm specializing in specific claims research, negotiations and economic development and was the Program Manager of the Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Research Program.

Since 2003, Tim has worked exclusively with Indigenous communities and tribal councils across western Canada and the North advising on issues such as Aboriginal and Treaty rights, land protections, governance, consultation, natural resource management, economic development, impact benefit agreements, revenue sharing, and consultation.

In 2023, Tim was named a Leading Practitioner in the area of Aboriginal Law by the Canadian Lexpert Directory.

Tim acts as a strategic advisor to many long-term clients and is committed to assisting Indigenous communities meet their social, cultural and economic goals.

Representative Experience:

Litigation

  • Specific Claims Tribunal Hearings
  • BC Supreme Court judicial review based on section 35 rights
  • BC Supreme Court administrative action challenging local government decision
  • BC Supreme Court action with respect to treaty interpretation

Negotiation

  • Negotiation of Government to Government Agreements including Strategic Engagement Agreements, Forest Consultation and Revenue Sharing Agreements, Economic and Community Development Agreements and Wildlife Agreements
  • Negotiation of Impact Benefit Agreements with oil and gas, wind power, forestry, mining and hydro electric companies, and associated revenue sharing structures including obtaining over 200 million dollars in community investment funds for a single client
  • Negotiation and implementation of modern Treaties, including reconciliation of territorial overlaps and competing land claims
  • Negotiation of Specific Claims Settlement Agreements
  • Establishment of protected areas and Indigenous co-management structures

Economic Development

  • Negotiation and structuring of dozens of Indigenous-owned joint ventures in sectors such as forestry, civil construction, environmental, remediation, electrical, fabrication, trucking and transportation, logistics, crane, bulk material handling, concrete, camps and catering, medic, mulching and helicopter companies
  • Formation and strategic restructuring of Indigenous economic development companies and limited partnerships
  • Establishment of Indigenous-owned businesses, including gas stations and cannabis retail stores

Strategic Planning

  • Provision of legal advice on the closing and implementation of modern treaties, including the preparation of laws, policies and governance structures
  • Structuring of trusts and wellness plans to maximize community benefits derived from negotiated settlements
  • Preparation of membership, election, referendum and land codes as well as First Nation bylaws and policies

Professional and Community Activities

 

    • Canadian Bar Association
    • Law Society of British Columbia

 

For a list of Tim’s published articles and speaking engagements, please click here.