Saskatchewan First Nation goes to court to challenge law firm’s fees

Bill Graveland/The Canadian Press

Maurice Law says it is Canada’s only Indigenous-owned national law firm. Its founder, Ron Maurice, is Cree-Métis and the firm specializes in Indigenous issues, ranging from negotiating settlements for specific claims to advising First Nations on tax laws. Mr. Maurice and his firm have negotiated a slew of settlements for First Nations from the federal government, including a $130-million deal for Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan.

Beardy’s Chief Edwin Ananas is particularly bothered by the terms of Maurice Law’s contingency fees, a form of compensation that is often calculated as a percentage of a settlement deal. Beardy’s retainer agreements with Maurice Law contained provisions allowing the firm to bill by the hour as well as collect contingency fees when cases are settled.

The disputed retainer agreements also permitted Maurice Law to retroactively increase past billing by 100 per cent when Beardy’s tried to fire the firm, according to court documents. This, the First Nation alleged, amounts to a poison pill designed to prevent it from dismissing Maurice Law. Beardy’s is also challenging the loan and insurance program it alleged Maurice Law arranged to finance litigation costs, to the firm’s benefit.

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