Environmental lawyer launches non-profit

By Peter Carter

Law360 Canada (August 24, 2023, 11:17 AM EDT) -- North Bay, Ont.,-based environmental lawyer Kerrie Blaise has founded Legal Advocates for Nature's Defence (LAND), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing access to justice that advocates for the protection of nature and honouring of Indigenous sovereignty in law and policy.

According to an announcement from the firm, LAND is also an accredited civil society organization by the Law Society of Ontario, which means it can provide free legal services to grassroots groups and individuals on the front lines of environment and climate injustices.

Previously a staff lawyer at the Canadian Environmental Law Association, Blaise maintains many notable advisory positions, including as co-chair of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Caucus, Réseau-Canadian Environmental Network and as a member of the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership and Domestic Law and Policy Stream.