Certified by the LSO as a specialist in civil litigation, Brian Crane is a senior member of Gowling WLG's advocacy group and practises in constitutional, administrative, and Indigenous law. He has appeared as counsel before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court, and provincial and territorial courts and tribunals. He has worked extensively in the negotiation of Indigenous land claims and self-government agreements and related litigation and arbitration. He was appointed King’s Counsel in 1977 and is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He has chaired Canadian Bar Association committees on reform of Parliament, the federal judiciary, and the reform of civil justice. He co-authored (with Robert Mainville and Martin W. Mason) First Nations Governance Law, 2nd Edition (LexisNexis Canada). He has been recognized in Chambers Canada, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, The Best Lawyers in Canada, and the Legal 500 Canada. In 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2024, he was named “Lawyer of the Year – Ottawa” by Best Lawyers™ Canada in three different practice areas – administrative and public law, appellate practice, and Aboriginal/Indigenous law. He has been recognized by Chambers Global as a Senior Statesperson in the field of Aboriginal/Indigenous law.
