Article content

An Indigenous lawyer facing client complaints in Alberta failed to prove the Law Society of B.C. discriminated against her by refusing to allow her to practise without conditions.

But the regulatory agency was nevertheless scolded in B.C. Supreme Court for failing to adequately support the mother of five or appreciate the Aboriginal woman’s background and circumstances.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Ian Mulgrew: First Nations' lawyer deserved better from law society, judge says Back to video

Miranda Moore has a continuing human rights’ claim, Justice Jeanne Watchuk said, over the society’s alleged failure to consider the effects of colonialism and her cultural history when deciding to license her.

In its decisions, Moore said, the society failed “to examine and consider the under-representation of Indigenous lawyers” and “missed an opportunity to look at and apply the Gladue factors and to implement the reconciliation process.”

From the outset, Watchuk said, Moore “indicated she wished to confirm the credentials committee would consider her circumstances as an Indigenous woman who has certainly experienced hardship.”