Nick Leeson

Information about the specialist

Nick Leeson is an associate with Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP (OKT) practicing in Yellowknife of the Northwest Territories (NWT).
Nick joined OKT in 2018. Prior to his time with OKT, he worked with a large national law firm as well as with the territorial governments of both Nunavut and NWT. In addition to extensive experience in the negotiation of resource developments, he has appeared as lead counsel before the courts of Alberta, Nunavut and NWT. He spends much of his time in the communities he works with and has experience with diverse legal contexts including historic treaties, modern land claim agreements, Indigenous rights litigation, and a broad range of Indigenous legal systems. In various capacities, Nick has worked with First Nations clients across Northern Canada for nearly a decade.
Nick is currently practicing in the areas of Indigenous and environmental law advising clients on Indigenous rights and claims, environmental matters and self-government issues. He works in negotiation and litigation in a variety of areas that includes, administrative law, treaties, lands and resources, regulatory processes, and human rights. He also advises clients on employment matters, legislative development, and governance issues.
Nick has experience on the board of directors for several non-profit and professional organizations. He was previously the President of the NWT Branch of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA). Nick has served as the CBA National Representative for Northern Canada on the Legal Aid Liaison Commission and chaired several CBA sections. His recent appointments include being chair of the CBA-NWT National, Environmental, Energy and Resources Law, Access and Privacy to Information and Immigration Law sections. He actively serves as an adjudicator and panel member for a number of administrative tribunals, including the Social Assistance and Property Assessment Boards of the NWT.
Nick was called to the Bar in Alberta in 2010 and is currently a member of the bar in the NWT and Nunavut. He holds a JD from the University of British Columbia, a bachelor’s degree from Western University, and a Masters of Public Administration with Queen’s University.