Leigh Anne Baker

Lawyer

Email: leighanne@woodwardandcompany.com

Assistant: Dawn Imlach | dawn@woodwardandcompany.com

Profile

Leigh Anne received her law degree from the University of Victoria in 2007. She was called to the British Columbia bar in 2008. She completed her undergraduate studies in commerce at Queen’s University in 2000. She first starting working with Woodward & Company as a student in 2004, and was pleased to return when she finished her legal studies.

Leigh Anne works with communities to assert and protect their aboriginal rights and title. She loves visiting communities so that she can hear directly about their history, territory, concerns and priorities. She also assists with community and band governance, corporate matters, resource and land use, and other legal issues. Leigh Anne has a passion for rights to and protection of water, cultural integrity and land.

Leigh Anne’s other major legal interests are international human rights and access to justice issues. She has worked in legal aid clinics in Cambodia, Canada and Guatemala. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Leigh Anne was a member of the Canadian National Freestyle Ski Team. She competed on North American (Nor-Am) circuit in 1994 and was the overall (Grand Prix) Champion!

Professional Standing:

Member, Law Society of B.C. (2008)

Awards:

Asia Pacific Studies Award, University of Victoria Faculty of Law, 2006

Selected Publications, Papers & Presentations:

Presented with Heather Mahony and Leah Mack at the Woodward & Company On-Reserve Housing Workshop in October 2008.
Rejection of the “Postage Stamp” Approach to Aboriginal Title: The Tsilhqot’in Nation Decision, authored with Jack Woodward and Pat Hutchings, presented by Jack Woodward at Aboriginal Law: Tsilhqot’in v. BC, a Continuing Legal Education British Columbia course held in January 2008.
Whose Trees are They? The Impact of the William Decision, authored with Jack Woodward and Pat Hutchings, presented by Jack Woodward at Aboriginal Forestry Law 2008, a Pacific Business and Law Institute course held in January 2008.
Basic Principles of Drafting Off-Reserve Agreements With First Nations: Working With First Nations’ Customs and the Developing Jurisprudence, authored with Jack Woodward, Pat Hutchings and Heather Mahony, presented by Jack Woodward and Heather Mahony at Aboriginal Law: Everyday Solicitors' Issues, a Continuing Legal Education British Columbia course held in October 2007.

Other Activities:

Spanish; French; rock climbing; mixed media art; social, environmental and economic justice; solidarity; food security; yoga; outdoor skills; hiking; camping; travel.