Holly Vear
Lawyer
Email: holly@woodwardandcompany.com
Assistant: Jamie Zyla | jamie@woodwardandcompany.com
Profile
Holly offers a broad skill set to assist First Nations with a diverse array of matters from litigation and negotiation arising from Aboriginal rights and title to governance, employment, business interests, and application of the Indian Act. Holly’s experience as a general practitioner provides clients with a well-rounded knowledge in commercial law, local government and property law, non-profit law, wills and estates and civil litigation.Holly is most interested in working with First Nations to ensure their traditional lands are protected from unsustainable development that stands to impact Aboriginal rights and title. Holly has an academic and practical background in forestry, and holds a Forester-in-Training accreditation with the Association of B.C. Forest Professionals. This background, paired with her continued involvement in the review of federal environmental planning and assessment policy ensures current knowledge of important legal developments concerning resource development in Canada.
Holly grew up in Ontario, where she obtained her undergraduate degree in forestry. It was in Northern Ontario that she first became intrigued by the connection between natural resource development and First Nations law, in the midst of the Grassy Narrows road blockade in Kenora, Ontario. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Holly worked in the forest industry in northern Ontario, Alberta and B.C. as a tree-planter, timber-cruiser, forest surveyor and forest fire tower lookout.
Professional Standing:
Member, Law Society of B.C. 2009
Member, Canadian Bar Association
Forester-in-Training, Association of B.C. Forest Professionals, 2008
Professional/Academic Awards:
Alberta Environmental Appeals Board Prize – University of Calgary, Faculty of Law (based on academic merit and excellence in environmental law), 2008
R.A. MacKimmie, O.C., Q.C. Award for Outstanding Contribution – University of Calgary, Faculty of Law (based on academic merit and significant contribution to the law school), 2008
Maloney Family Award – University of Calgary, Faculty of Law (awarded on the basis of academic merit, extra-curricular activities and community involvement), 2006
Dean Braun Award – Lakehead University (awarded to top ranking student), 2004
Other Activities:
Executive-at-Large, Canadian Bar Association BC Aboriginal Law Vancouver Island Section since 2008
Member of the federal Environmental Planning and Assessment Caucus since 2005
French language
Avid bike commuter
Environmental advocate