Kaelan Unrau

Associate

He/Him/His
  • kunrau@jfklaw.ca
  • P 604-687-0549 (Ext. 203)
  • Legal Administrative Assistant Halim Habibi 604-687-0549 (Ext. 123) hhabibi@jfklaw.ca
  • 260 - 200 Granville Street Vancouver, BC V6C 1S4

Kaelan is a spirited advocate who is dedicated to advancing his clients’ interests, both inside the courtroom and beyond.

Kaelan routinely represents First Nations and Indigenous clients in civil litigation matters, from Treaty infringement lawsuits to judicial review proceedings to reserve land disputes. He has appeared before various levels of court as both junior and lead counsel, including the Alberta Court of King’s Bench, the Federal Court, and all levels of court in British Columbia and Ontario.

Prior to joining JFK Law in 2021, Kaelan clerked for three justices of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia and Yukon, before practicing for two years at a Toronto Indigenous rights litigation boutique.

When he isn’t lawyering, Kaelan enjoys going on nature walks, reading plotless novels, and improvising on the piano.

Practice Focus

  • Aboriginal and Treaty rights
  • Reserve land and tenancy disputes
  • Judicial reviews and duty to consult
  • Human rights
  • Civil litigation

Qualifications

Member of the Law Society of Alberta, 2023

Member of the Law Society of British Columbia, 2021

Member of the Law Society of Ontario, 2019

University of Toronto, Juris Doctor (Honours), 2018

University of Victoria, Bachelor of Arts (Honours), 2014

Highlights

  • Together with JFK Law Partner Robert Janes, KC, and JFK Law Associate Mae Price, successfully opposed strike applications brought by the Government of Alberta in a legal challenge to the provincial consultation regime: Mikisew Cree First Nation and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation v Alberta, 2024 ABKB 578, aff’d 2025 ABCA 304

  • Together with JFK Law Partner Claire Truesdale, successfully opposed a complex action contesting the closure of an on-reserve manufactured home park and obtained additional post-judgment enforcement remedies: McEwen v Songhees Nation, 2025 BCSC 1167 

  • Successfully obtained an eviction order on behalf of a First Nation providing on-reserve member housing: Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation v Jacob Brant, 2023 ONSC 4319

  • Successfully opposed an order-variation application brought in a committeeship proceeding under the BC Patients Property Act: Cameron (Re), 2023 BCSC 1849

  • Together with JFK Law Partner Robert Janes, KC, successfully opposed a challenge to a First Nation’s election under the First Nations Elections Act: Wigwas v Gull Bay First Nation, 2022 FC 1601

Publications

JFK Law in the News: APTN reports on First Nations’ pressure on the Carney government to reintroduce the First Nations Clean Water Act and address water system funding issues, citing JFK’s Clayton Leonard

APTN reports on First Nations’ pressure on the Carney government to reintroduce the First Nations Clean Water Act and

JFK Law Partner Nadir André’s latest column on Radio-Canada Espace Autochtones: “Convention de la Baie-James et du Nord québécois : quelles leçons en tirer?”

Read Nadir’s latest column: “Convention de la Baie-James et du Nord québécois : quelles leçons en tirer?”

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