Does Woodward & Co. represent individual clients, or only Indigenous governments and organizations?

The firm works exclusively for Indigenous governments, businesses, and organizations across Canada. It doesn't take on general individual client matters outside that focus.

What kind of Indigenous law work does Woodward & Co. handle?

Its practice covers self-governance and constitution work, Section 35 Aboriginal rights and title litigation, treaty negotiation and implementation, land and resource protection, and Indigenous business development, including corporate, taxation, secured transactions, and intellectual property matters.

Has Woodward & Co. argued a case before the Supreme Court of Canada?

Yes. The firm acted for the Tsilhqot'in Nation in Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia, 2014 SCC 44, which resulted in the first Supreme Court of Canada recognition of Aboriginal title.

Where is Woodward & Co. located?

The firm is based in Victoria, BC, at 1022 Government Street, with a second office address at CitiGroup Place on Front Street West in Toronto. Its lawyers serve Indigenous clients across Canada.

Can an Indigenous business get help with corporate structuring or intellectual property from Woodward & Co.?

Yes. The firm's business development practice covers corporate structuring and secured transactions, taxation, employment law, and intellectual property for Indigenous businesses.

Woodward & Co. Lawyers LLP | LawOnline Directory

About Woodward & Co. Lawyers LLP

Woodward & Co. Lawyers LLP is a full-service law firm of over 50 people, founded in Victoria, British Columbia in 1988 to work exclusively for Indigenous governments, businesses, and organizations. In 1989 its first partners took on a case for the Tsilhqot'in Nation, seeking Aboriginal title in British Columbia. The case went to the Supreme Court of Canada, which unanimously declared in Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia, 2014 SCC 44, that the Tsilhqot'in Nation holds Aboriginal title, the first such recognition in Canadian legal history.

The firm's practice today spans self-governance and constitution work, Section 35 rights and title litigation, treaty negotiation and implementation, and Indigenous business development, including corporate structuring, taxation, secured transactions, and intellectual property. It's currently acting for the Cowichan Nation (Quw'utsun Nation) in Cowichan Tribes v Canada, 2025 BCSC 1490, seeking recognition of title to the Tl'uqtinus Village Lands and a fishing right on the south arm of the Fraser River, a case the firm's own site describes as the longest trial in Canadian history. Woodward & Co. is based on Government Street in Victoria and keeps a second, satellite office address in Toronto for its Ontario-facing work.

Practice areas

Indigenous Law

Business & Corporate Law

Administrative & Regulatory Law

Tax Law

Milestones & recognition

Founded in 1988 in Victoria, BC, to work exclusively for Indigenous governments, businesses, and organizations.
In 1989 took on the Tsilhqot'in Nation's case, which became Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia, 2014 SCC 44, the first Supreme Court of Canada recognition of Aboriginal title in Canada.
Represents the Cowichan Nation (Quw'utsun Nation) in Cowichan Tribes v Canada, 2025 BCSC 1490, which the firm's own site describes as the longest trial in Canadian history.
Senior Counsel Kate Kempton received the Ontario Bar Association's 2026 Award of Excellence in Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law, to be presented at the OBA's 25th Annual Charter Conference in Toronto.

In the community

Supports First Nations participating in the Ring of Fire Regional Assessment in northern Ontario.
Runs summer, articling, and co-op student programs for law students interested in Indigenous law.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible A calendar with a checkmark beside a clock

By appointment

Lawyers 52

This firm’s lawyers at a glance

Called to the bar: 1994–2025 · median 7 years in practice 52 of 52 lawyers
Law schools: University of Victoria (16), University of Toronto (5), University of Ottawa (4), University of British Columbia (3), McGill University (BCL/LLB) (2), Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia (2) and 14 more 47 of 52 lawyers
Languages on the roster: English, French, Spanish

Who handles what

Offices 2

Victoria250-383-2356

200 - 1022 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1X7

Toronto250-383-2356

CitiGroup Place, 902 - 123 Front Street West, Mailbox #20, Toronto, ON M5J 2M2

The neighbourhood

Woodward & Co.'s Toronto address is a satellite for a firm whose main office is in Victoria, BC. It's a mailbox suite at Citigroup Place, 123 Front Street West, an office building completed in 1983 and designed by John B. Parkin Associates, standing within the Union Station Heritage Conservation District a short walk from Union Station. The Ontario side of the firm's Aboriginal law practice is anchored there in name more than in daily operations. Senior Counsel Kate Kempton, who was called to the Ontario bar in 2001 and was previously a senior partner at another national, Toronto-based Indigenous rights law firm before joining Woodward & Co., is the clearest tie between the address and the firm's Ontario work; day to day, the firm still runs out of Victoria.

Frequently asked questions

Does Woodward & Co. represent individual clients, or only Indigenous governments and organizations?: The firm works exclusively for Indigenous governments, businesses, and organizations across Canada. It doesn't take on general individual client matters outside that focus.
What kind of Indigenous law work does Woodward & Co. handle?: Its practice covers self-governance and constitution work, Section 35 Aboriginal rights and title litigation, treaty negotiation and implementation, land and resource protection, and Indigenous business development, including corporate, taxation, secured transactions, and intellectual property matters.
Has Woodward & Co. argued a case before the Supreme Court of Canada?: Yes. The firm acted for the Tsilhqot'in Nation in Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia, 2014 SCC 44, which resulted in the first Supreme Court of Canada recognition of Aboriginal title.
Where is Woodward & Co. located?: The firm is based in Victoria, BC, at 1022 Government Street, with a second office address at CitiGroup Place on Front Street West in Toronto. Its lawyers serve Indigenous clients across Canada.
Can an Indigenous business get help with corporate structuring or intellectual property from Woodward & Co.?: Yes. The firm's business development practice covers corporate structuring and secured transactions, taxation, employment law, and intellectual property for Indigenous businesses.

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Listing compiled from the firm’s public website in September 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of British Columbia directory ↗