A lawyer at Woodward and Company, Soudeh’s practice is centred around Aboriginal law, administrative and regulatory law, and litigation. Drawing on her experience in international law and human rights advocacy, she is committed to assisting Indigenous governments to achieve effective implementation of their inherent right to self-government and self-determination.
Soudeh is from Montreal, Quebec. Prior to joining Woodward & Company in March 2021, she practiced as a senior associate at a national firm in Montreal where she represented and advised Aboriginal governments and organizations, particularly with respect to self-governance, judicial review of consultation processes and Aboriginal and treaty rights litigation, along with her practice in other areas of specialized litigation. Soudeh started her legal career working at a boutique Aboriginal law firm, and served as a judicial law clerk at the Federal Court of Canada prior to being called to the Quebec Bar in 2012. She has since also been called to the B.C. and Yukon bars.
Soudeh’s practice of Aboriginal law has given her cause to hone in on Aboriginal and title rights litigation and Indigenous governance, as well as the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate and fiduciary duties. This has led her to represent Indigenous clients before the Federal Court and the courts in Quebec and Ontario.
In addition to her litigation practice, she has advised First Nation and Inuit governments on matters relating to rights assertion, community governance (including law and policy development), consultation protocols, administration of reserve lands, and employment law. She was also involved in high-level Aboriginal and treaty rights negotiations with the federal and provincial governments—as well as the industry—on behalf of Aboriginal governments. Soudeh practices law in English and French and has a practical command of Spanish.