J. Berry Hykin

Lawyer

Email: berry@woodwardandcompany.com

Assistant: Dawn Imlach | dawn@woodwardandcompany.com

Profile

Berry is inspired by notions of fairness, justice, making the world a better place, problem-solving generally, fixing imperfect systems, resolving inequities, and correcting inefficiencies. She brings those values to her practice, which includes aboriginal rights & title litigation, employment law, band governance, specific claims and economic development. Berry has a particular interest in Alternative Dispute Resolution and has completed the Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C.’s Family Law Mediator’s training.

Berry started at Woodward & Co in January 2004 as a student; she was called to the BC Bar in September 2006. Berry has a BA (honors) in Classical Studies (University of Victoria and Boston College), with an emphasis on ancient languages and archaeology. Berry received her LL B. at the University of Victoria where she focused on aboriginal law generally, and particularly on aboriginal rights and title, self-governance, economic development and cultural conflict.

She is particularly interested in:

• finding ways to integrate traditional aboriginal practices and laws into the Canadian system in a way that would ensure greater certainty for all sides, particularly in relation to aboriginal spiritual rights (i.e. protection of burial grounds in the face of private property ownership);
• protection of the environment through fighting for aboriginal rights & title and protection of traditional territories;
• alternative dispute resolution, including mediation;
• pro-active legal work, such as working to develop good agreements between parties to avoid the need for litigation in the future.

Berry was born in the west Kootenays, though she grew up in Victoria. She now lives on a small farm just outside the city, is married to another lawyer (not at W&Co), has one child, two dogs, three cats, and one horse.

Professional Standing:

Member, Law Society of B.C. (2006)

Other Activities:

Canadian Bar Association Young Lawyers Subsection Executive
Canadian Bar Association Aboriginal Law Subsection Executive
Victoria Bar Association Member

Volunteering:

Co-Chair Law Day Victoria Organizing Committee 2008
Young Lawyers’ Bicycling Barristers, 2009 (Heart & Stroke Foundation)
JACKFM Run for the Kids, 2009 (Victoria General Hospital Fundraiser)

Berry also has an energetic list of extracurricular activities: Marathons, triathlons, cycling, horseback riding, reading, photography, cooking.