Krista Robertson
Partner

Krista Robertson

Krista advocates for Indigenous communities through strategic negotiations, litigation, and governance building. Her focus is always on tangible results that advance self-determination and community well-being. With her diverse, national practice, Krista is a member of the law societies of British Columbia, Ontario, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

Krista’s litigation experience encompasses criminal defense, administrative, and environmental law. She spends much of her time in the communities she works with and has experience with diverse legal contexts including historic treaties, modern land claim agreements, Aboriginal rights litigation, and a broad range of Indigenous legal systems. As a frequent speaker at conferences and continuing legal education seminars on issues related to Aboriginal law and legal practice, Krista supports the aspirations of her clients by dedicating herself to law reform and advocacy initiatives.

Legal Administrative Assistant
Fran Heaps
604.681.4146 ext. 237 fran@mandellpinder.com

Profile

Krista was called to the bar in British Columbia in 2005 and joined Mandell Pinder in 2018.

LL.B, University of Victoria (2003)

B.A. (Honors) with Distinction, University of Victoria (1998)

Aboriginal Law representative (2012-2017) on the Federal Court Aboriginal Law Bar Liaison Committee and was involved in a number of projects aimed at improving access to justice for Indigenous litigants.

Currently sits as the Aboriginal Law representative on the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal Rules Committee.

National Chair of the Aboriginal Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association in 2017-2018

Member, Law Society of B.C.

Member, Law Society of the Northwest Territories

Member, Law Society of the Yukon

Member, Law Society of Ontario

Member, Canadian Bar Association

“Indigenous Rights and the Ring of Fire”, Pacific Law and Business Institute, April 2018

“First Nation Accommodation Agreements and Environmental Protection”, Canadian Bar Association Bar Talk Magazine, August 2016

“Aboriginal Law in Federal Court: First Nations Governance Disputes”, Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal Practice, British Columbia Continuing Legal Education, Vancouver, June, 2016

“Cultural Competency Among Legal Institutions”, Indigenous Bar Association 28th Annual Fall Conference, Richmond, October, 2016

“Drafting IBAs: First Nations Perspective” Impact Benefit Agreements: Negotiation and Implementation, Pacific Law and Business Institute, Vancouver, March 2015

“Case Law Update” Consultation and Accommodation 2015, Pacific Law and Business Institute, Vancouver, February, 2015

“First Nations LNG 101”, Course Instructor, University of Northern British Columbia, Spring 2014

“Aboriginal Title and Provincial Regulation: The Impact of Tsilhqot’in Nation v BC”, Centre for Global Studies, POLIS Project on Ecological Governance and University of Victoria Faculty of Law, September, 2014

“Negotiating and Drafting Key Agreements in Aboriginal Resource Development”, Workshop Presenter and Conference Co-Chair, North of 60: Aboriginal Land and Resource Development, Yellowknife, May, 2014

“Indigenous Alternative Dispute Resolution”, Panel Chair, Working with and within Indigenous Legal Traditions, Canadian Bar Association National Aboriginal Law Conference, Victoria, April, 2013

“Class Actions, Aboriginal Rights and Environmental Questions”, Renewing Environmental Law Conference, Vancouver, February 2011

“The Transition from Provincial to Federal Regulation of Salmon Aquaculture in British Columbia”, Pacific Law and Business Institute Aboriginal Rights and Environmental Law Conference, Vancouver, December 2010

“Overlapping Territorial Claims: Models for Dispute Resolution and Business Structures”, Indigenous Models for Dispute Resolution Panel Moderator, Conference Chair, Canadian Bar Association National Aboriginal Law Conference, Victoria, June 2009

“Benefit Sharing Agreements in British Columbia: A Guide for First Nations, Businesses, and Governments”, co-authored with Murray Browne, published March 2009

“The Legal Duty of Consultation”, Dene Cultural Institute – Traditional Knowledge, Environmental Assessments and Regulatory Processes, Hay River, NWT, March 2007

Practice Areas