Genoodmagijig welcomes new associates

RAMA, ON, April 21, 2016  Nahwegahbow, Corbiere – Genoodmagijig/Barristers and Solicitors (NC Firm), the largest First Nations-owned law firm in Ontario acting exclusively for First Nations, welcomes former Superior Court Justice, The Honourable Stephen O’Neill, and well-respected legal academic and practitioner, Jeffrey Hewitt, as new Associates.

The Honourable Stephen O’Neill was appointed to the Superior Court of Justice (Ontario) on March 23, 1999 and he recently retired as a judge at the end of December 2015. O’Neill has heard and overseen many hundreds of cases, including complex and multi-party disputes, in his 16 years on the bench and he strongly believes in the principle and ideology of reconciliation. He has experienced first-hand how mediation and alternative dispute resolution can contribute greatly to the settlement of complex and long outstanding land, resource and treaty disputes. He is looking forward to constructively assisting in mediations and dispute resolution processes involving the Crown, industry and Indigenous peoples.

“Stephen O’Neill is a great addition to our team and it is commendable that he has opted to spend his final years before full retirement in private practice working for First Nations.” said NC Firm’s founding Partner, David Nahwegahbow.

Before being appointed as a judge, Mr. O’Neill worked for 22 years in private practice exclusively in Northern Ontario, in Anishinabek and Cree territory, with numerous First Nations clients. Notably, he worked on many First Nations land claim settlements and represented First Nations in negotiations, with the Crown and various corporate interests. Mr. O’Neill also expects to be called upon to assist in mediation and reconciliation processes involving Indigenous peoples, the Crown and third party interest groups.

“I am proud to join this team,” said Stephen O’Neill, “I decided to come to Nahwegahbow Corbiere because I feel it is a real opportunity to use my experiences and skills to make a difference with and for First Nations on their long and outstanding search for justice.”

NC Firm has two new senior Associates. Jeffery Hewitt also joined the firm.

Jeffery G. Hewitt comes to the firm with a wide range of experiences working in Aboriginal law, Indigenous Rights, Human Rights and Constitutional law, as well as, First Nation General Counsel matters. Jeff has his LLM from Osgoode. He will take on his role on a part-time basis as he is very active in endeavours within the Aboriginal Educational legal field. We look forward to his experience and dedication to provide top legal advice to our First Nations communities we serve.

We look forward to the work of the new Associates to compliment current Associates on our Team. Including the Partners, the firm now has eight lawyers, to better serve First Nations across Ontario and Canada.