Jessica is the chair of W&Co.’s Lands and Governance Practice Group.
She provides practical, cost-sensitive advice and representation to First Nations on protecting their Aboriginal title and rights, as well as on various contract, construction, membership and governance disputes. Mindful that resources are always finite, Jessica will work with your organization to identify efficient and effective means to understand and advance your priorities and objectives.
Jessica is an experienced litigator. She is called to the bar in BC, Alberta and Yukon. She has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada (most recently in Shot Both Sides) all levels of Court in Alberta, BC Supreme Court, ICC and various other arbitration panels, regulators and tribunals.
Currently, Jessica is part of the leadership team on one of the longest civil trials in Canadian history. She is tasked with proving unjustified infringement of the Quw’utsun (Cowichan) Nation’s Aboriginal title to their historic village at Tl’uqtinus, and responding to various procedural defences including extinguishment, displacement, limitations, laches, abuse of process, bona fide purchaser for value, etc.
Jessica lives and practices from Edmonton, Alberta. In her free time she enjoys live music, camping, and cross-country skiing.