Julian SpearChief-Morris

Contact Details

Julian SpearChief-Morris

Assistant: Bronwen Luck

He/Him

Julian pursued a career in law to gain the knowledge, skills, and capacity to make a positive impact on his community and others like it. The opportunity to engage in this meaningful work every day is what ultimately led him to W&Co.

Julian holds a JD from Harvard Law School and a BA in Urban and Regional Studies from the University of Lethbridge. He also completed the Program of Legal Studies for Native People at the University of Saskatchewan and later received a Certificate of Qualification from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. Julian serves as an Advisor for the International Buffalo Relations Institute and as a member of the Government of Alberta’s Access to Justice through an Indigenous Lens Committee.

Prior to joining W&Co, Julian served as General Counsel at the International Buffalo Relations Institute, managing legal affairs and strategic direction for the non-profit dedicated to buffalo conservation and Indigenous revitalization. Julian’s experience also includes time as a Crown Prosecutor with the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service, and as an Associate within the Native American Practice Groups at two large law firms in Washington, D.C., where his practice focused on complex litigation and providing strategic advice to tribal governments, businesses, and individuals.

At Harvard Law School, Julian was President and a Student Attorney at the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, representing low-income individuals in family, employment, and housing cases. He was the first Indigenous person elected as President of the organization.

Membership & Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Law Society of Alberta (2023)
  • Member, District of Columbia Bar (2019)
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association (2024)
  • Member, Indigenous Bar Association (2024)

Practice Areas

  • Aboriginal and Treaty Rights
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Corporate and Commercial Law
  • First Nation Constitutions, Laws & Policy
  • Governance support
  • Indigenous Legal Orders and Law
  • Land Code
  • Land Interests
  • Land Use Planning
  • Natural Resources
  • Treaty Negotiation and Implementation

Selected Presentations & Publications

Out of the Ashes: Ecological Resilience to Extreme Wildfire, Prescribed Burns, and Indigenous Burning in Ecosystems, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, November 26, 2019.

  • Commencement Speaker for University of Lethbridge Spring Convocation (2022)
  • Panelist for Mosaic Institute’s roundtable discussion on dismantling prejudice in sport (2021)
  • Panelist at GlobalFest Human Rights Forum (2021)
  • Panelist for University of Lethbridge Pronghorn’s BIPOC Speaker Series (2020)
  • Keynote Address at Blackfoot Confederacy Education Conference (2018)
  • University of Lethbridge Alumni Association Young Alumnus of the Year (2020)
  • Recognized with Washington Lawyers’ Committee Outstanding Achievement Award and firmwide 2019 Freedom from Discrimination Award for work contributing to the $200,000 settlement of a civil rights action brought by a federal employee against the U.S. Department of Energy
  • Member of team selected by U.S. News-Best Lawyers as Law Firm of the Year for Native American Law (2020)
  • Urban and Regional Studies Prize (2013) (highest GPA in major)
  • Harvard Law School’s Dean’s Award for Community Leadership (2018); Harvard Law School commendation for recording over 1200 pro bono hours during law school (2018)
  • U Sports Academic All-Canadian (2011, 2012, 2013)
  • Captain, University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Men’s Basketball Team (2010-13)

Julian is a member of of the Blood Tribe, also known as Kainai Nation. Outside of work he enjoys being outdoors, staying active, and spending time with his family.