Janelle Dwyer
Janelle was inspired to become a lawyer in part through her early studies of post-colonial literature. As a member of the Splatsin First Nation and a business lawyer at Mandell Pinder LLP, Janelle has been proudly serving the First Nations with her impressive volume of work and subject matter expertise since 2000.
Janelle regularly advises on land transactions both on- and off-reserve, including land acquisitions, developments on and management of reserve land, and additions to reserve. Her practice includes setting up or re-designing corporate entities such as partnerships, corporations, and trusts. She also works closely with First Nations on business and governance issues, including drafting regulations, constitutions, bylaws and policies. Janelle negotiates on behalf of First Nations with private companies and the Crown, and drafts and advises on all types of Crown and commercial arrangements, such as impact benefit agreements, government to government agreements, and asset and share purchase agreements.
Janelle Dwyer was selected by her peers for inclusion in the 2022, 2023, and 2025 editions of The Best Lawyers in Canada™ in the field of Aboriginal law / Indigenous Practice.
Profile
Janelle was called to the bar in 2000 and joined Mandell Pinder LLP in 2005.
LL.B, University of British Columbia (1999)
B.A., (Honours), English Literature, University of British Columbia (1992)
Advised multiple First Nations on incremental treaty transactions, including negotiating and drafting government to government agreements with Province of British Columbia, negotiating and drafting land use rights being granted to third party users, and advising each community directly on transfers back of land.
Advised First Nation government with 12 operating partnerships on corporate governance matters, including how to simplify governance and improve the relationship between Council and its various boards of directors.
Negotiated and drafted impact benefit agreements in mining, alternative energy, and run of river sectors.
Drafted and acted on the instruction of elected and hereditary leadership on multiple trust agreements for large and small settlements, including advising on and assisting with member consultation.
Advised tribal council and drafted necessary documents for corporate partnership buyout, financing and restructure of large tourism operations with land, casino and hotel operations.
Advised First Nation with multiple business operations on reserve including building code regulation of residential tourism development, land designation for commercial leasing, and permits for shorter term use of the reserve.
Member, Law Society of B.C.
Member, Canadian Bar Association
Board of Governors, Langara College, Appointed by the Province of British Columbia
“Overview of Different Types of First Nations Lands and Jurisdictions”, presented at Real Estate Development on First Nations Lands
Aboriginal Law – Vancouver Island Section (ABI2020), attended, hosted by Canadian Bar Association (CBA), Webinar, September 24, 2020
Environmental Law Section (ENV2020), attended, hosted by Canadian Bar Association (CBA), Webinar, August 6, 2020
“Member Consultation on IBAs”, presented at Impact Benefit Agreements: Advanced Negotiation Issues, hosted by PBLI, Vancouver, BC, November 20, 2019
“What can Happen if Your Nation Doesn’t Have a Financial Administrative Bylaw or Financial Administrative Law?”, presented and moderated a panel discussion at First Nations Band Administration Conference hosted by Aboriginal Finance Officers Association ( British Columbia), Osoyoos, British Columbia, May 17-19, 2017.
“Legal Update for First Nations Governments and their Directors” presented at First Nations Band Administration Conference hosted by Aboriginal Finance Officers Association, Parksville, British Columbia, June 15-17, 2016.
“Solicitor’s Practice: Real Estate” presented at Aboriginal Lawyers Forum 5th Annual Retreat hosted by The Canadian Bar Association, Parksville, British Columbia, April 29-30, 2016.
Featured in Kerry Banks, “The High Demand for Aboriginal Lawyers” (October 27, 2015) BC Business Magazine.
Featured in Richard Foot, “An Economic Transformation – Legal Report: Aboriginal Law” (April 2014) Canadian Lawyer Magazine.
“Corporate Governance: Duties of First Nations and Their Directors”, presented at the 2nd Mini LLB for Aboriginal Leadership Course, hosted by Federated Press, March 3-4, 2014.