Harry LaForme to join OKT as Senior Counsel

OKT is proud to announce that Harry LaForme is joining our firm as Senior Counsel as of December 3, 2018.

A legal luminary, Harry LaForme recently retired from the Ontario Court of Appeal after 14 years of distinguished service. He is renowned for a keen intellect shaped by his humanity and commitment to justice. As the only Indigenous person to reach the pinnacle of the legal profession in  Ontario, he brings a perspective and intellectual power that no one else can. We are absolutely thrilled for Harry Laforme to join OKT.

Harry LaForme, who is a member of the Mississaugas of  New Credit First Nation, was the first ever Indigenous person to serve as a judge of the Court of Appeal anywhere in the Commonwealth. As a judge he authored many ground-breaking decisions which illustrate his commitment to human rights and the rule of law. As a lawyer, Harry LaForme was an activist for Indigenous peoples both in Canada and internationally. Harry’s full biography can be found here.

Both before and after becoming a judge, Indigenous peoples have repeatedly recognized and honoured Harry for his many achievements – including the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in 1997. Elders have bestowed the gift of an eagle feather to him on numerous separate occasions.

Harry LaForme’s dedication to advocacy for Indigenous peoples will be a tremendous asset to OKT in fulfilling our mission of advancing Indigenous sovereignty and prosperity, and we are all excited to be working along-side him.