Alex Raminfar

David Hughes is a lawyer who thrives on diving into complex legal terrain and is passionate about helping his clients navigate these challenging paths. With a primary focus on Aboriginal law, corporate law, and employment law, David dedicates most of his practice to working closely with First Nations communities across British Columbia. For him, this work is far more than just a professional obligation; it’s a constantly evolving experience filled with new challenges, opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact.

Over the years, David has immersed himself in nearly every aspect of Aboriginal law. He has advised First Nation governments on rights and title issues, assisted communities in advancing their land claims, and facilitated agreements between First Nations and the Province of British Columbia. His work often involves negotiating benefit agreements that secure ongoing revenue streams for bands, setting up development corporations and partnerships to maximize their resources, and creating joint ventures to bring sustainable benefits from developments on their ancestral lands.

David’s approach to his legal work is both strategic and creative. He has experience preparing head leases for reserve land developments and drafting subleases that ensure greater accountability from non-Indigenous businesses operating on those lands. His dedication extends to helping First Nations draft effective by-laws, such as a State of Emergency by-law that empowers communities to declare emergencies and take appropriate actions. He has also amended election codes to enable secure online voting during the COVID-19 pandemic, supported Chief Electoral Officers in election administration, handled election appeals, and defended First Nations against wrongful dismissal claims. Beyond these roles, he advises on a wide range of employment issues, tailoring his counsel to meet the unique needs of the communities he serves.

In addition to his Aboriginal law practice, David is also sought after for his expertise in employment law and has considerable experience working with entrepreneurs and businesses of all types. He is drawn to working with people who share his forward-thinking vision and are willing to challenge the status quo to create something better. For David, the most rewarding part of his job is collaborating with individuals and organizations that are driven by a desire for positive change and growth.

David’s areas of practice include First Nations and Aboriginal law, business law, and employment law. He holds an LLM with distinction from the University of Southampton, where he received the School Prize for Best LLM Dissertation. He was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 2006 and holds a JD from the University of Toronto. His other qualifications include an MA and a BA with honors from the University of British Columbia, and he has received several awards for his advocacy skills.

David’s advocacy work extends to the courtroom, where he has successfully represented clients at all levels of court in British Columbia. His reported cases include Heuser v Carnovale, Ascent Developments Corp. v Stonehenge Projects Inc., and Hamilton v British Columbia (Attorney General). Beyond the courtroom, he serves as a director for the Kamloops Food Bank and is a governor of the Law Foundation of British Columbia, underscoring his commitment to both his professional and local communities.