Aaron Christoff

Aaron Christoff is an Indigenous law and litigation partner in Cochrane Sinclair’s Vancouver office. Before joining the firm, Aaron was part of the Vancouver Indigenous law group at a major international law firm, where he built a robust practice advocating for Indigenous communities.

Aaron regularly advises and represents First Nation governments on various complex issues, including Aboriginal and Treaty rights, specific claims against the Crown, self-government, elections, and governance matters. He works closely with Nations to develop and draft legislation and policies, such as custom election codes and child and family services laws under Bill C-92.

In his advocacy practice, Aaron frequently represents Indigenous clients in legal proceedings, including class actions, judicial reviews, and specific claims. He has also acted on behalf of corporate clients across diverse sectors, including tax and telecommunications. His courtroom experience spans appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the Alberta and Saskatchewan Courts of King’s Bench, Ontario Divisional Court, the Nunavut Court of Justice, the Federal Court of Canada, and administrative tribunals.

Aaron is honoured to have advised the Whitecap Dakota Nation in negotiating the historic Whitecap Dakota Self-Government Treaty, which came into effect on September 1, 2023. This treaty marks the first stand-alone, treaty-protected self-government agreement in Canada and the first self-government agreement in Saskatchewan.

A Nehiyaw (Cree) citizen of Saulteau First Nations in north-eastern British Columbia (Treaty 8), Aaron has lived, worked, and studied across Canada. His deep commitment to Indigenous rights and wide-ranging legal experience make him a trusted advocate for his clients.
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Education

• University of Toronto, Juris Doctor, 2011
• University of Toronto, Bachelor of Arts (with Distinction), 2008
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Leadership, Membership and Achievements

• Best Lawyers in Canada: Ones to Watch (Recognized since 2022)
• Law Society of British Columbia
• Law Society of Alberta
• Canadian Bar Association
• Director, Vancouver Aboriginal Child & Family Services Society