Etienne Esquega

Etienne Esquega, L.L.B., Associate

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

Etienne has a diverse litigation practice which has led him to representing clients on matters concerning Aboriginal rights, personal injury, disability claims, taxation, bankruptcy, debt collection, commercial disputes, construction law, forestry liens, storage liens, wrongful dismissal, human rights, criminal injuries compensation, and coroner’s inquests. His litigation practice has resulted in appearances before various tribunals and courts, including the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Divisional Court, the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal, and the Ontario Coroner’s Court.

With respect to the advancement of First Nation historical land claims and constitutional rights, Etienne currently has carriage of matters against the governments for unlawful trespasses, taking of resources, and treaty right entitlement claims, including: flooding claims, timber claims, right of way/highway claims, farming land claims, and treaty land entitlement claims.

Notably, he, and the late Mr. John W. Erickson, Q.C., had a First Nation couple acquitted of the charges that they unlawfully constructed a cabin on their traditional lands without a work permit. The couple was acquitted on the basis that the Crown unjustifiably infringed their treaty right to construct shelter on their traditional lands pursuant to the promises of Treaty #9.

He advises Aboriginal clients and their organizations as general legal counsel on various matters including advice and representation pertaining to:
•governance issues;
•corporate and commercial transactions;
•taxation;
•labour and employment;
•human rights issues;
•forestry, mining and energy ventures; and
•resource sharing.

Education:
B.A. (Political Science), University of Windsor
LLB - Osgoode Hall Law School.
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.

Memberships:
Law Society of Upper Canada
Indigenous Law Association
Thunder Bay Law Association
Canadian Bar Association

Community Involvement:
Associate Member, Hill City Kinsmen
Trustee, First Nation Settlement Trusts
Past Director, Native People of Thunder Bay Development Corporation

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 Prepared, plan estate”, Co-Author with Gord Keesic (RBC Dominion Securities), Wawatay News, Volume 35, Issue #15.