etienne esquega

Etienne G.D. Esquega B.A., LL.B.

Year of Call: 2005
Areas of Practice: Aboriginal Law, Civil Litigation, Corporate/Commercial Law
Virtual Business Card
Email: eesquega@erickson-law.com
Law Clerk: Sarah D'Angelo

Etienne joined the firm as a lawyer in 2005 after articling with the firm in 2004-05. He holds valuable experience on how the Canadian legal system connects with First Nations political, business, and legal systems.

A large part of his practice revolves around assisting First Nation clients advancing their historical claims against industry and government for the unlawful trespasses and unlawful taking of resources and lands. Etienne also provides general counsel services on a daily basis to First Nation people, governments, and organizations on governance, corporate and commercial, taxation, employment, and various other matters. He has provided advice on forestry, mining and energy ventures.

He has appeared before the Superior Court of Justice and the Federal Court of Canada. At the Federal Court Etienne has appeared on Indian Band governance matters concerning financial information and membership issues. Etienne is also counsel on many other matters currently before the Superior Court of Justice and has participated as co-counsel with Mr. John W. Erickson, Q.C., in a lengthy 6-week coroner’s inquest before the Coroner’s Court of Ontario where they effectively represented a First Nation police force.

As part of the firm’s personal injury law group Etienne acts for plaintiffs who are victims of motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, criminal injuries and for family members of individuals who have either been injured or killed.

While in law school, Etienne’s abilities were recognized with scholarships from the Assembly of First Nations and from the Native Law Centre of Canada, at the University of Saskatchewan, for his academic achievements and commitment to the advancement of First Nations people in Canada.

Etienne graduated from the University of Windsor in 2001 with a B.A. in Political Science, and earned his LL.B. at Osgoode Hall Law School in 2004.

Memberships:
Indigenous Bar Association
Thunder Bay Law Association
Canadian Bar Association

Community Involvement:
Director, Hill City Kinsmen
Trustee, First Nation Timber Claim Trust
Former Director, Native People of Thunder Bay Development Corporation
Cast Member, 2006-2007 production of “Witness for the Prosecution”, A Magnus Theatre and Thunder Bay Law Association joint production

Publications and Presentations:
December 10, 2009, “Car Accident’s Change Lives, deal with them Immediately”, Wawatay News, Volume 36, Issue #25.

December 10, 2009, “Limiting Liability – Some Ways to Minimize Your Risk of Doing Business”, Co-Presenter with Theodore Scollie, at Wawatay Native Communications Society - Northern Ontario First Nations Communications Conference.

February 12, 2009, Mock Trial Member, Erickson & Partners mock trial for the Thunder Bay Construction Association.

July 24, 2008, “Be Prepare, plan estate”, Co-Author with Gord Keesic (RBC Dominion Securities), Wawatay News, Volume 35, Issue #15.

April 2005, Presenter (Facilitator), Local Capacity Building – Setting the Foundation Workshop, Ontario Native Women’s Association.