Non-profit advocacy organization for band members being sued by Indigenous law firm

The head of an advocacy organization for First Nations band members is being sued by an Indigenous law firm. Maurice Law has filed a statement of claim against Rob Louie, the founder of the Band Members Alliance and Advocacy Association of Canada (BMAAAC), alleging Louie defamed the firm’s founder, Ron Maurice by questioning his Indigeneity in an online post. Filed at Court of King’s Bench in Calgary on July 18, the statement of claim names Louie, director Mariah Bigsky and the grassroots organization as defendants. The claim details communications between Maurice Law and BMAAAC in 2024. It alleges Louie, who lives in B.C., made disparaging comments in a letter concerning Maurice Law’s management of its client files. In the letter, Louie also allegedly questioned Maurice’s Indigenous heritage. The letter was allegedly posted to Louie’s social media accounts. Founded in 2002, Maurice Law claims on its website to be the first – and only – Indigenous-owned national law firm in Canada. Maurice’s bio states he is of Cree-Métis heritage. Ron Maurice is described as a Cree-Métis lawyer on his firm’s website. Photo: Maurice Law Maurice Law has represented a number of First Nations governments in their land claim and agricultural benefits claim settlements with the federal government. None of the allegations in the lawsuit have been tested or proven in court. The claim accuses Louie of using his personal and BMAAAC’S professional social media accounts to make “ongoing (allegedly) disparaging statements about Maurice Law’s representation of its clients and about the work of specific lawyers at the firm.” Bigsky is accused of engaging “in this same conduct by making additional (allegedly) disparaging comments about Maurice Law and its lawyers” on her social media accounts. According to the plaintiff, these are serious allegations that defame “Maurice Law and it’s lawyers’ professionalism and ethics.” The Claim is seeking $5 million in damages. Recently made headlines Maurice Law recently made headlines when Keeseekoose First Nation in southeastern Saskatchewan decided to terminate the firm’s services due to the cost of legal fees. In a letter addressed to Keeseekoose band members, the chief and council stated that “any contingency agreements for any further claims are costly and not in the best interest of our nation.” It says that in two of its previous claims – Racing Lake and Agricultural Benefits (also known as Cows and Plows) – the cost to Keeseekoose was $8.9 million and $6 million, respectively, based on Maurice Law being paid a percentage of the final settlement. The letter states that in future claims, the band “will be looking to retain legal counsel to an agreement based on hours worked and not a percentage of the final settlement.” Keeseekoose says pending claims include the Treaty Annuities claim, Misadministration claim and the NRTA claim around hunting and fishing rights, as well as the Swan River haylands claim. Louie told APTN News Monday he will be filing a statement of defence. Continue Reading