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 British Columbia Supreme Court, the Alberta Court of King’s Bench, the Federal Court, and all levels of court in 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 v Alberta, 2024 ABKB 578
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
On November 27, 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC” or “Court”) released a
JFK is excited to welcome Verukah Poirier and Whitney Morrison as new members of our team at the Vancouver