Certified by the LSO as a Specialist in Civil Litigation, Brian Crane, KC is a senior member of Gowling WLG's Advocacy Group and practises in constitutional, administrative, and Indigenous law. Brian has appeared as counsel before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court and provincial and territorial courts and tribunals. In addition to his practice before the courts, Brian has worked extensively in the negotiation and implementation of modern Indigenous treaties, land claims and self-government agreements throughout the Northwest Territories, Alberta, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador. He was Appointed King’s Counsel in 1977 and he is also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He co-authored (with Robert Mainville and Martin W. Mason) First Nations Governance Law, 2nd Edition (LexisNexis Canada). Brian 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. Brian has been recognized by Chambers Global as a Senior Statesperson in the field of Aboriginal/Indigenous law.
