The profession's role in addressing the climate crisis
Lawyers in British Columbia are deciding whether they want climate change to be a part of their Law Society mandate. Until June 27, lawyers are voting on a resolution requiring the Law Society to take more proactive action against climate change.
Lawyers continue to push for climate change resolution.
Terri-Lynn speaks about Haida Law and SGaanaGway (Power)
An informative talk presented by presented by Gid7ahl-Gudsllaay Lalaxaaygans (Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson) at the Haida Gwaii Renewable Energy Symposium, March 11, 2023.
Presented by Gid7ahl-Gudsllaay Lalaxaaygans (Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson) at the Haida Gwaii Renewable Energy Symposium, March 11, 2023.
Terri-Lynn included in Business in Vancouver’s Top 500 Business leaders
BC500 features business leaders who have a notable impact on B.C.’s communities, industries and economy.
BC500 features business leaders who have a notable impact on B.C.’s communities, industries and economy.
They are visionaries, innovators and trailblazers. They embody the values of modern leadership: engagement, trust, corporate citizenship, inclusion and innovation. Some of them are household names; some of them are well known within their industries. All of them influence life and business in British Columbia.
Terri-Lynn and her work were recognized under the “Law – General Counsel” category. Congratulations Terri-Lynn!
Terri-Lynn joins Canada Climate Law Initiative
Terri-Lynn has joined the Canada Climate Law Initiative as “Principal Co-Investigator”. The CCLI brings together knowledge, leading practice, and trusted insights to advise Canadian businesses and governments on how to respond to today’s urgent climate impacts through climate governance.”
Terri-Lynn has joined the Canada Climate Law Initiative as “Principal Co-Investigator”. The CCLI brings together knowledge, leading practice, and trusted insights to advise Canadian businesses and governments on how to respond to today’s urgent climate impacts through climate governance.”
Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson Appointed Queen’s Counsel
White Raven Law is proud to announce that Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson has been appointed Queen’s Counsel by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Attorney General of British Columbia.
White Raven Law is proud to announce that Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson has been appointed Queen’s Counsel by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Attorney General of British Columbia.
The QC designation recognizes lawyers in British Columbia for distinctive merit and exceptional contributions to the legal profession. Successful candidates demonstrate professional integrity and good character. The designation is governed by the Queen’s Counsel Act and bestowed annually by the Lieutenant Governor upon the endorsement of the Attorney General.
The Attorney General’s announcement has the following to say about Terri-Lynn:
“Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson; Haida name: Gidahl Gudsllaay L. (1996) has made appearances as counsel to the Haida Nation at all levels of court and is recognized as an exceptionally gifted practitioner. Terri-Lynn has made outstanding contributions to the realization of a multi-juridical conception of Canadian federalism through her leadership in advocacy and legal education. Through her work as a Haida lawyer, artist, and scholar she has helped change the legal landscape of Canada.”
Click here to read the official announcement and to see the full list of appointees.
2021 Canadian Law Award for Commercial Litigation Team of the Year
White Raven Law Corporation is recognized by the 2021 Canadian Law Awards for its involvement in Attorney General of British Columbia v. Attorney General of Canada in January 2020.
White Raven Law Corporation is recognized by the 2021 Canadian Law Awards for its involvement in Attorney General of British Columbia v. Attorney General of Canada in January 2020. The Supreme Court heard arguments from several parties, ranging from Indigenous Nations to private corporations, on British Columbia’s authority to regulate certain environmental aspects of the Trans Mountain Pipeline. Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson spoke on behalf of the Haida Nation, arguing that the court must not impinge upon the Indigenous role in cooperative federalism. Ultimately, the court unanimously dismissed the appeal. For more information on the award, click here. To read a summary of the case, click here.
Terri-Lynn is featured on Raven’s Podcast “Raven (De)Briefs: A Podcast”
Terri-Lynn discusses “how she became the counsel for the Haida Nation- an expert in both Canadian common law AND in the indigenous laws of the Haida people.”
Terri-Lynn discusses “how she became the counsel for the Haida Nation- an expert in both Canadian common law AND in the indigenous laws of the Haida people. She talks about how she brought the stories and laws which she was raised with into the courtroom when her Nation challenged powerful logging interests in the landmark Haida case at the Supreme Court of Canada.
She also shares her perspectives on the defeat of Enbridge and on RAVEN’s role in bringing together 8 Indigenous Nations to fight – and beat – the tar sands pipeline and tankers project.”
Warrior Lawyer Profile: Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson
Terri-Lynn is featured on the UBC Allard School of Law blog.
DaanXan dang haana ga, Kwaay.yaay Ts-uu (You are so beautiful, older Cedar Sister!)
The Cedar stands strong behind her as the guitar and sax drift gently around her. Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson sings soothingly to those cedars as a sign of respect and gratitude. The song is Cedar Sister, sung in Haida words about what the cedar gives us. She describes the shelter it provides, the lessons it gives, and how it lives in harmony with all beings like the bear and salmon. Beyond being beautiful and artistic, the song has significance in the Canadian legal landscape and specifically for the Haida people and their awakening indigenous law.
Williams-Davidson is the Indigenous renaissance woman of the 21st century. She is a singer, songwriter, activist, author, lawyer, and founding partner of White Raven Law. Born in Skidgate in Haida Gwaii to the Raven clan, her passions in culture and law began in her youth. Williams-Davidson began singing in her community and founded a children’s dance group. “I learned that songs come from the land, and are a reflection of the land,” she says. In her youth she traveled to the United States and was inspired by elders fighting against a uranium mine to protect the environment. This was the catalyst for her journey to law.
The world must have been daunting for Williams Davidson. Her academic career started with a degree in computer sciences from the University of British Columbia. From there she got her JD at Allard Law. She entered these fields where there was a clear imbalance in the representation of women and Indigenous people.
One of Williams-Davidson’s crowning achievements is the part she played in the Haida Nation’s victory in Haida Nation v. British Columbia. Williams-Davidson was co-counsel for Haida Nation. The case examined what it meant to consult and confirmed the Crown’s duty to consult where Crown activity could infringe Aboriginal rights or title. The court decided that even in unsettled claims the Crown has a duty to consult.
Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson Ranks #21 on Maclean’s 2021 “Power List”
Every year, Maclean’s, one of Canada’s oldest and most well-respected magazines, releases a list of 50 Canadians who are “breaking ground, leading the debate and shaping how we think and live”. This year, Terri-Lynn was honoured and ranked number 21 on this impressive list of Canadians.
Every year, Maclean’s, one of Canada’s oldest and most well-respected magazines, releases a list of 50 Canadians who are “breaking ground, leading the debate and shaping how we think and live”. This year, Terri-Lynn was honoured and ranked number 21 on this impressive list of Canadians.
Maclean’s highlights her role as “her nation’s advocate” and raising precedent-setting legal issues in litigation such as the 2004 Supreme Court of Canada landmark ruling to protect the old-growth forests on Haida Gwaii and, more recently, Indigenous title to Haida Gwaii’s oceans. See the full power list here.
Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson Wins 2020 Most Influential Lawyer
Terri-Lynn wins the award for Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in the category, Changemaker! Up against hundreds of qualified nominees, her work for the Haida Nation shone through as some of the most impactful and compelling in Canada.
Terri-Lynn wins the award for Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in the category, Changemaker! Up against hundreds of qualified nominees, her work for the Haida Nation shone through as some of the most impactful and compelling in Canada.
“Being named as one of Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential highlights the important and significant work jurists have done in the last 18 months or so. Some of them may have steered big deals or made the most splash on the news pages, but it’s about their leadership and influence in a larger sphere”.
Congratulations, Terri-Lynn for this incredible accomplishment!
To read more about Terri-Lynn’s work as a Change Maker in Canada, read her profile in the Canadian Lawyer Magazine. For more information on this award, and to view the other winners, visit this page.