Holly Vear

Lawyer

Email: holly@woodwardandcompany.com

Profile

Holly grew up in Ontario, where she obtained her Forest Technician diploma followed by a degree in Forest Conservation (Honours). Holly and her dog, Finn, have spent five summers working in the forest industry in northern Ontario, Alberta and B.C. as a tree-planter, timber-cruiser, forest surveyor and forest fire tower lookout. It was in northern Ontario that Holly 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.

In her first year at the University Of Calgary Faculty Of Law, Holly started up the Environmental Law Society, and acted as President of the Society. Holly also attended the University Of Copenhagen Faculty Of Law for an international law placement, studying international environmental law and indigenous peoples law.

Holly has worked on disputes involving the Indian Act, treaty rights in Alberta, forestry law, consultation and accommodation and federal environmental assessments, and has gained experience in archival research. Holly hopes to provide assistance to First Nations in resolving disputes concerning natural resource use, in addition to becoming self-sufficient in natural resource management. Holly holds a Forester-in-Training accreditation with the Association of B.C. Forest Professionals and is currently working toward qualifying as a Registered Professional Forester in B.C.

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
Practices ashtanga (yoga)
Dog lover