Donna L. Kydd

Donna Kydd has had a successful solo practice since 1981 involving a mix of aboriginal law, general civil litigation and solicitor’s work. She brought that experience with her when she joined Ramsay Lampman Rhodes in 2012.

Donna’s expertise includes litigation and solicitors work for bands, Tribes and First Nation organizations, and members of bands in British Columbia. Her practice experience includes:

• Band/First Nation Administration, Bylaws, Elections and Band Governance
• Economic and natural resource development for Band/First Nations and Band/First Nation Corporations (e.g., resort development, forestry, fish farming, etc., projects)
• General counsel work for a unique band and municipal not-for-profit corporation
• New reserve acquisitions/ addition to reserves, Specific Claims and Treaty work
• Forestry, road and railway rights of way negotiations
• Foreshore and water rights negotiations

Donna also has considerable practice experience dealing with general civil litigation and her solicitor’s practice includes a broad mix of:

• Corporate and Business Law
• Estate Administration
• Intellectual Property
• Trust Law
• Wills, Power of Attorney, Health Representative Agreements and Advance Directives

Education:

Donna holds a Bachelor of Arts (University of New Brunswick – Fredericton Campus) and graduated with an LL.B. from Dalhousie Law School in May 1973. Donna was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1974 and called to the B.C. bar in January 1981.

Before starting her own boutique law practice in 1981, Donna:

• Worked with the Justice Development Commission and the Legal Services Commission in Vancouver, British Columbia
• Worked with a First Nations organization in Vancouver and its member First Nations throughout British Columbia
• Provided legal and archival research with a focus on novel arguments and gathered historical and oral evidence for First Nations involved in litigation
• Worked towards the settlement of various long-outstanding claims involving various First Nations in British Columbia

Publications + Presentations: 

• “Aboriginal Law On & Off Reserve for Small Business,” presentation for the Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation, October 2013
• “Copyright, Trademarks & Internet Agreements,” paper provided to Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation (B.E.S.T.) program, October 2013.
• Submission to the Ministry of Justice, Strategic Planning and Legislation Office, on The Proposed Changes to the Scope of Notarial Services in BC, as Chair of the Solicitors’ Practice Issues Committee, CBA-BC Branch, February 2012
• Co-editor, Aboriginal Law Practice Checklist, Law Society of British Columbia, 2008
• Co-authoring a paper in 2007 entitled “Commodity Tax Overview for First Nations” with David P. Owen
• Author, Legal Information Booklets Numbers 1-6, Native Programs, Legal Services Society, Vancouver, BC, 1987-1993: Indian Land Holdings on Reserve; Land Use on Reserves; Surrenders & Designated Lands; Funds for Housing on Reserve; Labour Law on Reserve; Debtor-Creditor Law on Reserve; Indian Estates
• Author, Towards a Native Legal Education and Information Program: A Review of the Literature and Annotated Bibliography, Native Law Centre, Saskatoon, Sask., 1979
• Co-author, The Law Game, Public Legal Education Project, Legal Services Commission, BC, 1978

Membership and Community Involvement: 

• CANADIAN BAR ASSOCIATION- BC BRANCH
  • Member, Judicial Advisory Committee
  • Member, Government Relations Committee
  • Past Chair, Solicitors’ Practice Issues Committee: 2010-2014
  • Member of Solicitors’ Practice Issues Committee for 1 term: 2009-2010
  • Member, Business of Law Committee: 2009-2013
  • Membership since 1981
• Longstanding member of the International Commission on Folk Law & Legal Pluralism
• Founding 500 Donor of the Minerva Foundation for B.C. Women (a non-profit society that focuses on the advancement of young and adult women in BC)
• Longstanding Foster Parent, Plan International Canada Inc.