A. Olthuis

Senior Legal Consultant and Arbitrator, Executive Chairman and Founding Partner:

A. Olthuis is a founding partner of BS Lawyers & Legal Consultants, specializing in Aboriginal rights. He represents First Nations across Canada in litigation and major negotiations, including those related to comprehensive and specific land rights, self-government, and impacts and benefits agreements with project proponents.

John served as legal counsel to the Chiefs of Ontario and was a table negotiator at the Aboriginal Government table for the Assembly of First Nations during the Charlottetown Accord Constitutional negotiations. His extensive experience also includes representing clients in environmental cases and appearing before various federal boards, commissions, and agencies across Canada, such as the National Energy Board, the Berger Commission, and federal and provincial environmental assessment panels.

Since 2006, John has been annually recognized by his peers and included in The Best Lawyers in the United Arab Emirates.