Scott Andrew Smith

Scott is a highly skilled negotiator and litigator who works at the confluence of Aboriginal, environmental, energy and natural resource law. Widely recognized as a passionate and strategic advocate and thought leader, Scott has negotiated precedent-setting agreements between Indigenous peoples, project proponents and Crown entities that advance economic reconciliation and achieve meaningful and lasting results for his Indigenous clients.

Scott is a member of the firm’s Indigenous Practice, Energy, Environmental Law and Projects & Infrastructure Groups. Prior to joining Aird & Berlis, Scott practised at a large, international law firm specializing in Aboriginal and Indigenous law. He has been recognized by Lexpert , Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 Canada as a leading practitioner in the area of Aboriginal law, and was named as one of Benchmark Litigation Canada's 40 & Under Hot List (2017-2020) and recognized as one of Lexpert's Rising Stars: Canada's Leading Lawyers Under 40 (2018).

Scott regularly advises First Nations on all phases of major projects, including navigating complex regulatory hearings and litigation for significant energy and natural resource projects across Canada. He has extensive experience in negotiating impact benefit agreements and Indigenous equity participation arrangements in major projects, including working on behalf of his Indigenous clients across diverse sectors such as mining, forestry, pipelines, LNG facilities, hydroelectric projects, transmission lines and petrochemical facilities, often incorporating Indigenous ownership.

A significant focus of Scott's practice also involves providing strategic counsel on Aboriginal and Treaty rights-related matters, the duty to consult and accommodate, resource benefit sharing arrangements, child and family services, regulatory and environmental matters, including contaminated sites. Scott has worked closely with Indigenous communities and governments on negotiating landmark government-to-government arrangements, including having successfully crafted the largest agreement between British Columbia and First Nations outside of formal treaties.