Brian A. Crane, KC
Automatically compiled listing. Details may contain errors.Partner at Gowling WLG
- Called to the bar
- 1962
- Languages
- English
Certified SpecialistCertified SpecialistAbout Brian A. Crane, KC
Modern Indigenous treaties and self-government agreements sit at the centre of Brian A. Crane's work, from negotiating them to putting them into effect, with files in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Brian is a partner with Gowling WLG in Ottawa. Brian was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2025 for work on major land claim agreements that contributed to the federal government's recognition of Indigenous treaty rights.
Brian earned an LLB at the University of British Columbia in 1960 and a master's degree (A.M.) at Columbia, and the Ontario call came in 1962. Brian became King's Counsel in 1977 and earned certification as a Specialist in Civil Litigation in 1988. Back in 1996, the Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal History recorded a 153-page oral history interview with Brian, then a partner at Gowling & Henderson in Ottawa.
Brian has appeared as counsel before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court and Ontario's courts, and land claims and self-government files have brought litigation of their own. Brian has also served as an arbitrator and mediator in many kinds of matters. On the writing side, Brian co-authored First Nations Governance Law and co-edits Supreme Court of Canada Practice.
Chambers Canada lists Brian as a Senior Statesman in Indigenous law. In 2019, Gowling WLG awarded the first Indigenous law student scholarship bearing Brian's name, which supports Indigenous students on the way to becoming lawyers and recognizes Brian's advocacy for the legal rights of Indigenous communities.
Practice areas
Indigenous treaties, land claims and self-government
Brian has negotiated land claims and self-government agreements and handled the related litigation, and has worked on implementing modern treaties in four provinces and territories. In 2024, Brian was among the Gowling WLG lawyers acting for Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Nunatsiavut Government and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated as interveners in the Supreme Court reference on federal child and family services legislation.
Supreme Court of Canada counsel and Ottawa agent
Beyond appearing as counsel at the Supreme Court of Canada, Brian has acted as Ottawa agent for counsel based elsewhere, including the Attorney General for Saskatchewan and Vancouver counsel in a case against the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
Arbitration and mediation
Brian has sat as an arbitrator and as a mediator in a broad range of matters.
Education & credentials
Certified SpecialistCivil Litigation- BA, University of British Columbia (1950)
- LLB, University of British Columbia (1960)
- A.M., Columbia University (1962)
- Called to the Ontario bar (1962)
- King's Counsel (1977)
- Certified Specialist in Civil Litigation (1988)
Notable cases
- Reference re An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, 2024 SCC 5
Brian, with Graham Ragan, Alyssa Flaherty-Spence and Kate Darling, was counsel for the interveners Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Nunatsiavut Government and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. The Court held that the federal Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families isn't ultra vires Parliament.
- Estate of Rolland Bastien v. Her Majesty the Queen, 2011 SCC 38
Brian and Guy Régimbald were counsel for the intervener Union of Nova Scotia Indians. The Court allowed the appeal from the Federal Court of Appeal's decision, with costs throughout.
Decisions where Brian A. Crane, KC appeared as counsel, from public court records. Past cases don't predict future results.
Awards & recognition
- Member of the Order of Canada, Governor General of Canada (2025)
- Senior Statesman, Indigenous law, Chambers Canada
- Brian A. Crane/Gowling WLG Indigenous Law Student Scholarship (namesake), Gowling WLG (2019)
Publications & speaking
- First Nations Governance Law (co-author, with Robert Mainville and Martin Mason), LexisNexis Canada (2006)
- Supreme Court of Canada Practice (co-editor), Carswell
Memberships & affiliations
- American College of Trial Lawyers: Brian is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
- The Advocates' Society: Brian is a member of The Advocates' Society.
- International Commission of Jurists (Canadian Section): Brian belongs to the Canadian Section of the International Commission of Jurists.
- Canadian Forum on Civil Justice: Brian is a member of the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice.
- County of Carleton Law Association: Brian is a member of the County of Carleton Law Association.
- Canadian Bar Association: Brian is a member of the Canadian Bar Association.
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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 Brian A. Crane, KC’s licence and standing in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗
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