Jean Yuen*
Shareholder
Contact
Direct: 604 647 4119
Email: jyuen@nullboughtonlaw.com
vCard
Assistant: Melissa Young
Direct: 604 647 6428
Email: myoung@nullboughtonlaw.com
Practice Areas
Areas of Expertise
- Aboriginal Banking
- Aboriginal Sustainable Economic Development
- Impact Benefit Agreements
* Law Corporation
Profile
Jean is a Shareholder practising primarily in the area of Aboriginal Law, with a special emphasis on First Nations economic development. She has extensive experience in dealing with land issues arising under the Indian Act, First Nations Land Management Act, the Sechelt Indian Band Self-Government Act and certain treaty First Nations legislation. As well as economic development matters, Jean routinely advises on First Nations governance and property taxation matters and assists First Nations in the drafting of laws, policies and codes and in negotiating road tenure, protocol, accommodation and impacts and benefits agreements.
A substantial part of Jean’s practice involves commercial leasing, both in relations to First Nations lands and fee simple lands.
Education
- University of British Columbia, B.A.
- University of British Columbia, LL.B.
- Year of Call: 1994 (B.C.)
Professional Activities
Frequent speaker at seminars and conferences on Aboriginal land issues.
Speaking Engagements
Co-Presenter, “Development on First Nation Lands”; Hot Topics in Real Estate Development, PBLI Conference, October 2015
Speaker, “Structuring a Residential Development on Reserve Land – Issues to Consider”; Agassiz Harrison Area First Nations Business Forum, October 2015
Co-Chair and Speaker, “Which Land Regime Are You In?”; Real Estate Development on First Nation Lands, PBLI Conference, February 2014
Blog
- First Nation titles free from B.C. foreign tax
- First Nations-Private Sector Partnerships – Tips for Success
- Doing Business with First Nations [Legal Series on CKNW]
- Conveyance of a Leasehold Interest in First Nations Lands
Representative Transactions
- The Osoyoos Indian band on the establishment of Canada's first winery with a major aboriginal ownership interest
- A First Nation on the first arm's length commercial lease in Canada under the First Nations Land Management Act
- The Hupacasath First Nation on the establishment of the China Creek micro-hydro project
Testimonials
"I have had the pleasure of working with Jean Yuen for close to 15 years. I am always impressed with her diligence, close and caring attention to client matters, expediency and efficiency in her guidance and advice.
Jean has played a significant role in our economic development and business capacity building initiatives to date. She has assisted us in the establishment of our business and not-for-profit entities, and has advised us on a number of real estate projects, financing transactions, lease and contract negotiations, and property taxation matters. One of the most significant undertakings that Kwantlen has embarked on in recent years is transitioning from the Indian Act to the First Nations Land Management Act. Our confidence in Jean is demonstrated by the fact that we have chosen her as our legal advisor for this project.
We have enjoyed a long and wonderful working relationship with Jean. I would highly recommend her."
"As a business consultant for First Nations, I have had the pleasure of working with Jean for over 15 years. Jean is thorough, responsive and consistently finds creative solutions to difficult issues. We have worked together on numerous projects, including real estate development projects, commercial transactions, servicing agreements, additions to reserve and highway matters, just to name a few. She is an invaluable resource to me and I know my clients are in excellent hands when Jean is on the file."
