Isabelle Simard

Associate

Montréal
[email protected]
514.954.2555 x27731

Isabelle has a diversified litigation practice, with a focus on Indigenous law. She represents and assists Indigenous communities (band councils, businesses, individuals and other entities) in resolving disputes related to ancestral and treaty rights, land claims and natural resource development, among others.

She represents her clients before all levels of courts, including the Superior Court of Québec, the Court of Appeal of Québec and the Federal Court, as well as before provincial and federal government authorities. She regularly assists in cases involving:

  • title and land claims;
  • ancestral or treaty rights issues;
  • specific claims;
  • negotiations with government entities, particularly with regard to self-government;
  • reserve creation;
  • negotiation of Impact and Benefit Agreements (IBAs) with the mining industry;
  • fulfillment of the Crown’s constitutional duty to consult and accommodate Indigenous groups.

Isabelle’s expertise spans other areas of litigation, including construction, where she advises a wide range of clients.

Prior to joining BLG, Isabelle clerked at the Federal Court for the Honourable Denis Gascon, acquiring expertise in federal law.

Experience

  • Represented an Indigenous government in a title claim before Québec courts
  • Represented Indigenous governments and entities in litigation involving ancestral and treaty rights
  • Represented Indigenous governments with respect to specific claims
  • Negotiated on behalf of Indigenous governments and drafted consultation and accommodation agreements with the provincial Crown
  • Represented Indigenous governments in the implementation of the Crown’s constitutional duty to consult and accommodate

Beyond Our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Member, Barreau du Québec
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association

Bar Admission & Education

  • Québec, 2022
  • Summer courses on Indigenous law, “Indigenous Law Research, Method and Practice”/”Indigenous Legal Orders and Ecological Governance”, University of Victoria, 2022
  • LL.B., Université de Sherbrooke, 2020
  • MBA, Université de Sherbrooke, 2020