Zach advises clients across Canada on a broad range of Indigenous and project development matters.
Clients rely on Zach to provide timely and practical advice on the Aboriginal law aspects of major projects, existing facilities and M&A transactions. Zach has assisted regulated utilities, resource companies, project developers (Indigenous and non-Indigenous), lenders, investors and contractors with consultation and accommodation obligations, FPIC, environmental approvals, treaty issues, on-reserve development, procurement, dispute resolution and the strategic aspects of developing, permitting and constructing projects within traditional territories. He has advised Indigenous governments on land use and governance matters. A significant portion of Zach's practice focuses on negotiating and drafting complex agreements involving Indigenous peoples and consortiums, including accommodation agreements, joint ventures and equity participation transactions.
Zach regularly assists clients with acquisitions and divestitures of resource assets, as well as ongoing commercial activities and regulatory processes arising in connection with full build-out and decommissioning. Zach’s project experience includes:
- electrical (generation, transmission and distribution)
- pipelines and gas processing and storage facilities
- renewable energy projects
- mining projects
Prior to pursuing a career in law, Zach worked as a statement gatherer for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and a consultancy conducting traditional land use and knowledge research for Indigenous clients throughout western Canada. Zach is a citizen of the Métis Nation and a descendant of the historic Métis community at Lac St. Anne.
