Courtney brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding to her practice as an associate in Fasken’s Specialty Litigation Group. With a focus on environmental law, energy regulatory, and Indigenous legal matters, Courtney takes pride in representing clients across Canada, presenting cases and advocating for their interests both in the courtroom and before various government and administrative decision-makers.
Courtney’s core focus is advising clients advancing projects, through provincial and federal approval processes, and representing them in regulatory hearings and litigation. Her involvement does not end with the inception of projects; she is an invaluable asset throughout the lifecycle of energy, mining, and natural resource ventures, ensuring compliance, facilitating permitting, and managing amendments to authorizations. Courtney thrives on collaborating with professionals across a diverse range of disciplines—engineers, scientists, economists, and accountants—drawing on their collective knowledge to navigate the intricacies of regulation and public policy, as well as complex litigation proceedings.
In her role as counsel for public utilities before the BC Utilities Commission, Courtney adeptly advises and provides representation on an array of complex proceedings and issues including rates and rate design, tariffs, cost of capital, the development of major projects and facilities, commission-initiated inquiries, renewable natural gas and hydrogen, and energy system planning.
Proudly Cree from Papaschase First Nation and Métis, Courtney is a dedicated advocate for Indigenous rights. She has a reputation for representing First Nations clients before the Specific Claims Tribunal and in the negotiation of intricate land and treaty claims against the Government of Canada. Her expertise also includes advising and supporting First Nations exercising jurisdiction over child and family services pursuant to An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, Youth and Families (C-92).
Courtney's academic journey includes a bachelor’s degree in English-Environmental Studies from the University of Northern BC and a law degree from the Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC. Before joining Fasken, she clerked for Chief Justice Robert J. Bauman of the Court of Appeal for BC and Yukon, and, before embarking on her legal career, she honed her project management skills on infrastructure projects throughout Western Canada.
Courtney’s life beyond law is characterized by a spirit of adventure and community service. Her love for traversing BC’s backroads in her trusty (and very rusty) vintage Land Rover, her dedication to training for long-distance running races, and her ventures down the ski slopes are matched by her commitment to the legal profession and her community. She serves as a Director of Courthouse Libraries British Columbia, is involved with the CLBC’s Finance Committee, presides as the President of Young Professionals in Energy's Vancouver Chapter, and offers her legal advice as appellate referral counsel for Access Pro Bono BC.
