James Hsu is a lawyer at PortaLaw, where he practices employment and human rights law. After working at a large national law firm, a boutique business law firm and as in-house counsel to an e-commerce technology company, James knows what works and doesn’t work for clients. He’s now found his place with the innovative and thoughtful team at PortaLaw, where he works collaboratively with businesses and workers to address their workplace needs. His clients include organizations that serve indigenous communities and employees in indigenous workplaces. James has volunteered in the past with Level’s Indigenous Youth Outreach Program. While in law school, James was a clinician at the UBC Indigenous Community Legal Clinic serving clients in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside and worked at the Chiefs of Ontario in their justice sector.

Paula is an employment and human rights lawyer, and co-founded PortaLaw, a benefit company and Certified B Corp. Engrained in PortaLaw’s ethos is a commitment to using business as a force for good. Paula’s strengths as a lawyer come from her ability to empathize and communicate. She approaches problems with a positive mindset and thoughtful advocacy skills. Her clients include employers interested in respectful and dignified legal solutions to their workplace challenges.

Koren Lightning, K.C., LLB, LLM, CIC.C, Blue Thunderbird Woman, is Cree from Samson Cree Nation. She is the Legal Director of Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge. She is a Board Member for First Nations Caring Society, and Board Member for Peace Hills Insurance. Koren is a Board Member for LEAF, Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund. She was President of the Indigenous Bar Association for 6 years and former Acting Commissioner for Alberta Utilities Commission. Koren graduated from Law School in 2007 at the University of Alberta. She was called to the bar in February 2009 and had the honour of having her Bar Call in her First Nation Community, Samson Cree Nation. Koren received her Master of Laws in 2018 from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, her concentration was Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Koren’s work focuses on working with Indigenous clients and supporting the revitalization of Indigenous Laws. Koren advises in the areas of Indigenous Governance, Indigenous Child Welfare, Indian Act matters. She was recently awarded the “Pringle/Royal sessional teaching excellence” Award from Faculty of Law, University of Alberta for 2021/2022. She was awarded “Tomorrow’s Leader” Award from Women in Law Leadership Awards in 2019. She was also awarded the Alumni Horizon Award from the University of Alberta in 2017. Koren is an alumni of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference, she participated in the 2017 NWT Tour. She is a sessional instructor at Maskwacis Cultural College and University of Alberta, Faculty of Law.

Virginia Lomax is the owner and principal lawyer at Lomax Law, and provides quality legal services specializing in,

• Employment law;
• S. 35 Aboriginal and Treaty rights;
• Human rights (Charter of Rights and Freedoms, provincial and federal human rights codes)
• Specific Claims;
• First Nations’ Bylaws;
• Not-for-profit corporate governance;
• Justice and policy reform;
• Self-governance agreements;
• Civil litigation; and
• Contract drafting.

Virginia previously provided legal advice and services during her time with two boutique aboriginal law firms with national scope (First Peoples Law LLP and Westaway Law Group). Virginia was also in-house counsel to the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC). She acted as lead counsel for NWAC during the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. She has been honoured to represent Indigenous clients as interveners before Supreme Court of Canada on high profile cases: R. v. Ewert, Canada (Canadian Human Rights Commission) v. Canada (Attorney General), Southwind et al v. Canada, and Restoule v Canada (Attorney General).

Virginia holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction from the University of Toronto with a double major in Criminology and Ethics, Society & Law. As part of this degree, she completed an undergraduate thesis literature review project on the unique nature of domestic violence in queer relationships and the lack of appropriate services available to survivors. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2017 after completing her articles at a boutique Labour and Employment Law firm. She is an avid reader, gardener, and animal rescuer who is happiest spending time in nature with her family.

Melanie is an associate in the Employment and Labour Law groups at Nelligan Law. With a foundational background in Biochemistry and Immunology, Melanie expertly navigates complex workplace issues, including wrongful dismissal and human rights disputes. Her analytical skills and problem-solving abilities enable her to provide clear, compassionate guidance to each client, ensuring they understand their rights and options.

Fluent in both official languages, Melanie has successfully represented clients before the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeal Tribunal and the Federal Court. Today, she brings her depth of knowledge and advocacy to our discussion. Let’s give a warm welcome to Melanie.

Christina Tachtampa is a global development professional with over a decade of experience working across Asia, Africa, and Indigenous communities in Canada. Her work focuses on sustainable livelihoods, capacity development, and organizational growth. She currently serves with the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government as the Director of Learning & Organizational Development, where she leads initiatives rooted in Indigenous governance, systems change, and collaborative planning. Key areas of focus include strategic implementation, HR and talent development, learning design, and change management.

Christina holds a Master’s in Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Smith School of Business at Queen’s University, specializing in corporate innovation, the entrepreneurial economy, and social impact. She also earned a BA in History from Toronto Metropolitan University, a certificate in Social Innovation and Design from Jiangnan University, China focused on food security, and is a Prosci-certified Change Management Practitioner.

She is an immigrant to Turtle Island from Kalamata, Greece, she carries Pontic Greek ancestry from Minor Asia.