IIO Speaker Series: UNDRIP – What the Next Generation of Lawyers Needs to Know

NOTE: The Indigenous Initiatives Office (IIO) Speaker Series is open to the public. All are welcome and lunch will be served. Please join us.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action call upon Canadian law schools and the Federation of Law Societies of Canada to ensure that law students and lawyers are educated about the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

In this presentation, Jeff Warnock from Blake Cassels & Graydon will provide students with an introduction to UNDRIP as well as some recent political events surrounding its implementation. Jeff will also highlight how UNDRIP may impact a number of different areas of law and why all lawyers, regardless of their intended practice areas, need to know what is covered by the declaration.

Speaker Bio

In his role at Blakes Jeff is responsible for a number of the firm’s diversity initiatives including several which are designed to attract students from diverse backgrounds to the practice of law in a business law firm.  Prior to joining Blakes Jeff practiced as a litigator and served as a public policy advisor in the area of Métis rights and self-government. Jeff is Métis, a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario, and frequently presents on a variety of topics in the area of Aboriginal law both internally at Blakes and as a law school guest lecturer.

Jeff also works with Kari Abrams on the management of Blakes student program, including the recruitment, supervision, and professional development of summer students and articling students, as well as liaising with law schools.