Cherie Brant

Associée

Toronto

Experience

  • Counsel to developers and Indigenous groups across Canada on renewable energy, electricity and transmission projects to advise on duty to consult matters as well as transactional advice and strategic partnerships.
  • Lead Counsel to Ontario Chiefs-in-Assembly on the creation of Ontario First Nation Sovereign Wealth LP, a partnership among 129 First Nations in Ontario, on the negotiation to acquire 2.4 per cent of Hydro One Limited from the Province of Ontario and obtain a significant seed capital contribution for long-term wealth creation.
  • Completed more than 1000 MW of commercial partnerships involving First Nations and more than 300 MW of installed capacity for First Nations.
  • Special Counsel to 1000 MW merchant transmission line project that is proposed to connect Canada/US through the IESO and PJM networks.
  • Counsel to First Nations Energy Alliance (representing 16 First Nations) on the Integrated Power System Plan proceedings at the Ontario Energy Board.
  • Counsel to First Nations intervenors on East-West Tie proceeding to develop a 450 km transmission line in Northern Ontario.
  • Counsel to several First Nation Development Corporations established to attract own source revenues for First Nations and lead to long-term economic sustainability.
  • Counsel on joint venture agreements among Indigenous groups and infrastructure companies for competitive procurement processes in mining and infrastructure.
  • Counsel to national retailer developing franchises on First Nations lands.
  • Counsel to First Nations on land and retail development projects involving leasing, financing and establishing franchises on First Nations lands.
  • Counsel to a First Nation for a large impact benefit agreement in the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario.
  • Counsel to an Aboriginal Housing Fund that administers multi-residential development loans for Indigenous projects in the Greater Toronto Area.
  • Counsel to several First Nations and industry/government groups on the development of consultation policies and frameworks for Indigenous engagement.
  • Counsel to First Nations on the establishment of cannabis laws on First Nations.
  • Counsel to First Nations cannabis producers and retailers on licence and project development on Indigenous lands.
  • Counsel on several commercial financings for multi-residential, industrial and commercial properties ($5M to $50M).
  • Borrower counsel on several loan refinancing ranging for industrial and commercial properties across Ontario ($5M to $80M).
  • General counsel to several First Nations, First Nation Tribal Organizations and community based renewable energy association (Ontario Sustainable Energy Association).

Beyond Our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Board Member, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)
  • Fellow, Collège canadien des avocats en droit de la construction, depuis 2014
  • Membre, Association du Barreau canadien, section Droit de la construction
  • Independent Director of TD Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD Bank)

Community Involvement

  • Président et président du conseil d’administration, The Pillars Trust Fund Inc., depuis 2013
  • Président et président du conseil d’administration, The Pillars Trust Fund Inc., depuis 2013

Awards & Recognitions

  • Selected as an "Excellence Awardee" for Female Trailblazer of the Year (Private Practice) at the 2023 Canadian Law Awards
  • The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory for Indigenous Law and Corporate Commercial Law(since 2021)
  • The Best Lawyers in Canada for Aboriginal Law/Indigenous Practice and Real Estate Law (since 2021)
  • Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure (since 2022)
  • Lexpert Special Edition: Energy, (since 2022)
  • Lexpert Special Edition: Agribusiness and Cannabis 2020
  • Lexpert Special Edition: Energy 2020
  • Lexpert Leading Lawyer for Aboriginal Law (since 2013)
  • Lexpert Leading Lawyer for Energy Law (since 2015)
  • Lexpert Zenith Award Winner, 2017
  • Lexpert Rising Stars, Leading Lawyers Under 40, 2012