Bob Rae to Join Olthuis, Kleer, Townshend LLP

Toronto – Renée Pelletier, managing partner of Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP is pleased to announce that the Honourable Bob Rae, PC, OC, O.Ont, QC, former Premier of Ontario, and former Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada will join the firm as a senior partner.

Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP serves First Nations and Aboriginal organizations across Canada. They advise on a wide range of issues, including land rights and treaty negotiations, major aboriginal claims litigation and negotiation of impacts and benefits agreements. OKT is a growing firm of 22 lawyers, including some of the most frequently recommended and highest ranked Aboriginal law practitioners in Canada.

“We are excited to have Mr. Rae join our team” said Ms. Pelletier. “He brings decades of experience at the highest levels of government as well as a strong background in negotiations, strategy, community and economic development. He’s also demonstrated a strong commitment to Aboriginal rights, and to the critically important task of reconciliation between Aboriginal peoples and all Canadians.”

Mr. Rae’s files will include on-going work as chief negotiator for First Nations in talks with the Ontario government on the development of the Ring of Fire, senior advisor to the Mississaugas of the New Credit, and working with the First Nations Limited Partnership in British Columbia.

“I am delighted to be joining OKT—I have admired their work for many years, and am now honoured to be joining as a partner.” Mr. Rae remarked. “I am looking forward to continue to work with First Nations and Aboriginal people to advance their rights and prosperity. I am also very pleased to have the opportunity to work with my daughter Judith, and to practice with the many talented Aboriginal lawyers at this firm.”

Mr. Rae will continue his associations with the University of Toronto as a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the School of Public Policy and Governance, as Senior Advisor to the Castlemain Group, and with ADR Chambers as a panel member.

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Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP represents First Nations across Canada on a wide range of issues, including land rights and treaty negotiations, litigation, hearings before tribunals and commissions, as well as community governance, economic development, major resource development negotiations and other matters.

Bob Rae has been elected nine times to federal and provincial parliaments. Mr. Rae recently served as interim leader and foreign affairs critic for the Liberal Party of Canada. He was the 21st premier of Ontario from 1990 to 1995. He graduated as a Rhodes Scholar from Oxford in 1971. He was named a Queen’s Counsel in 1984. He has received numerous honorary degrees and awards for his public service. He was appointed to the Privy Council for Canada in 1998, was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2000, and an Officer of the Order of Ontario in 2004.

Media contact:

Renée Pelletier
Managing Partner
(416) 995-1496
rpelletier@oktlaw.com