Called to the BC bar in 2024, Shayla has a strong interest in how Nations can utilize economic development to further financial sovereignty. Her practice focuses on law and policy-making, including areas such as corporate and commercial development, land use, administrative procedure, membership, elections, and Nation services.  She also supports various complex negotiations, such as those for settlement, servicing, and impact benefit agreements.

Shayla has degrees in both Canadian Common Law (JD) and Indigenous Legal Orders (JID) through the University of Victoria, which is the first degree program of its kind in the world. Throughout her law school career, she has worked with Tsawwassen First Nation’s in-house legal counsel and has co-authored a discussion paper with Dr. John Borrows in partnership with the Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE) and Reconciliation and Responsible Investment Initiative (RRII) which explored Indigenous perspectives of fiduciary duty.

Outside of the office, she enjoys hiking with her pomsky, Juneau, as well as experimental cooking and fantasy novels.