About Alyssa Flaherty-Spence

Alyssa Flaherty-Spence advises Indigenous clients from across Canada, on matters that run from community trusts and federal legislation to business matters such as M&A and funding agreements. Alyssa is a senior associate based in Gowling WLG's Ottawa office, working in the firm's Indigenous Law and Canada North groups and also taking an active part in its Corporate Commercial Practice Group.

Much of Alyssa's career before Gowling WLG was spent working with Indigenous organizations, especially on matters in Inuit Nunangat. That path included Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Maliiganik Tukisiiniakvik Legal Services, along with the Government of Nunavut, where Alyssa spent the summer of 2014 as a law student in the Department of Justice's Legal and Constitution Division. Alyssa also worked for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Called to the bar in Ontario in 2018 and in Nunavut in 2021, Alyssa has since been part of Gowling WLG counsel teams for Indigenous interveners in two Supreme Court of Canada cases.

Alyssa is of Inuit and Cree ancestry. Raised in Almonte, Ontario, Alyssa had already spent three years living in Iqaluit by 2014, and today counts both Iqaluit and Tataskweyak Cree Nation as second homes. In a 2020 episode of the Diversonomics podcast, Alyssa talked about life as an Indigenous lawyer at a large firm and how Canadians can push back against the underrepresentation of Indigenous peoples.

Inside the firm, Alyssa co-chairs WomenRise, a Gowling WLG network built to help women at the firm grow professionally and connect with one another. Alyssa is also a parent of two who loves spending family time together.

Practice areas

Business & Corporate Law Indigenous Law

Community trusts, policy and claims

Alyssa works with Indigenous clients nationwide on community trust matters, strategic policy initiatives and questions arising under federal legislation. Specific claims are part of the practice too, including class actions such as the Indian Day Schools (McLean) Settlement.

Business work for Indigenous clients

When an Indigenous client's needs turn commercial, Alyssa handles corporate commercial matters, mergers and acquisitions, funding agreements and NDAs, and helps with negotiations.

Education & credentials

  • Law degree, specialization in Indigenous Law, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law (2016)
  • Program of Legal Studies for Native Students (PLSNP), University of Saskatchewan (2013)
  • B.Soc.Sc., Political Science, University of Ottawa (2011)
  • Called to the bar of Ontario (2018)
  • Called to the bar of Nunavut (2021)

Notable cases

  • Reference re An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, 2024 SCC 5

    Alyssa was one of four Gowling WLG lawyers acting for the interveners Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Nunatsiavut Government and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. In a unanimous judgment, the Court held that the federal Act as a whole is constitutionally valid.

  • Anderson v. Alberta, 2022 SCC 6

    Alyssa and Guy Régimbald of Gowling WLG acted for the intervener Anishinabek Nation. The Court ruled that an Alberta First Nation could qualify for advance costs from the government even though it has funds of its own.

Decisions where Alyssa Flaherty-Spence appeared as counsel, from public court records. Past cases don't predict future results.

Publications & speaking

Memberships & affiliations

In the community

  • For ten years, Alyssa was president and chair of the Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families.
  • Alyssa has served as a member of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice's Community Liaison and Resources Committee (CLRC).

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This listing was generated by AI from public sources in October 2026. It may contain errors, and we can’t guarantee it’s accurate or complete. Before you rely on anything here, verify it on their firm’s website. Confirm Alyssa Flaherty-Spence’s licence and standing in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗

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