Robin Phillips is a lawyer based in Victoria, British Columbia, practicing with JFK Law LLP. She has extensive experience in Aboriginal law, collaborative dispute resolution, and environmental law. Robin was called to the British Columbia Bar in 2016 and the Alberta Bar in 2018. She joined JFK Law in 2019 and recently became a partner in 2024. Her practice areas include governance, negotiation, consultation, administrative law, land use planning, and contaminated sites.

Robin works as legal counsel for many Indigenous Nations on a wide range of governance issues. She has considerable experience drafting laws, bylaws, and policies, as well as understanding the complex jurisdiction that applies to Indigenous lands. Robin has experience incorporating Indigenous legal order into contemporary laws and advising on the development of laws that are based both on statutory authority and inherent jurisdiction.

Robin does not believe that one size fits all. In all her governance work, Robin takes a client-centered approach and endeavours to meet her clients’ needs and aspirations in the way that works for them. Robin also has experience implementing laws and legal regimes, and works with her clients to develop the guidelines, regulations, and forms that support legislative development.

Robin works to negotiate government-to-government agreements with the Crown and with local governments. She always strives to advance her clients vision for their territories, and to make sure Indigenous interests are not subordinate to that of the settler state.

Robin has a strong background in local government law and has worked with various communities across British Columbia and Alberta. She is also a mediator on the Civil Roster of Mediate BC and believes the best outcome is the one developed by the parties themselves, to meet their objectives.  Robin serves on the board of Mediate BC, where she is involved in developing an Indigenous Dispute Resolution Hub.

In addition to her legal practice, Phillips has contributed to several publications and presentations on topics such as cannabis regulation on Indigenous lands, trusts, riparian rights, expropriation, defamation, corporate governance, first nation and local government partnerships, and conflict resolution. Prior to being called to the bar, Robin had the opportunity of being a judicial law clerk for five Justices of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Her academic background includes a JD from the University of British Columbia and a BA in English (Hons.) from the same institution.

Practice Areas

• Self-Government and Self-determination
• Co-Counsel for BC First Nations in BC Treaty Process
• Development of legislation and policies
• Corporate Governance
• Negotiation of Self-Government Agreements
• Developing Servicing Agreement
• Real Estate Development and Management on Indigenous lands
• Advising on Law Code Development and Implementation
• Consultation and Regulatory Law
• Procurement
• Conflicts of Interest