Judge says Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation claim against law firm can move ahead – CBC

Mar 21, 2025

Law firm notifies former directors that it may in turn sue them for damages

An Edmonton law firm that’s accused of helping Ron Barlas defraud a First Nation in the N.W.T. of millions of dollars has mostly failed in its bid to have the claim against it thrown out of court.

Barlas is the former CEO of the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation’s (LKDFN) business arm. The court has already found that he abused his authority to bilk the companies out of millions of dollars during his time as CEO. Barlas is appealing that decision.

Lutsel K’e is also seeking damages from Reynolds Mirth Richards and Farmer, the law firm that was acting on behalf of the LKDFN companies at the time Barlas was CEO. It’s claiming the firm acted more in Barlas’s interests and knew, or should have known, that the work it was doing was harmful to Lutsel K’e’s businesses.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/judge-says-lutsel-k-e-dene-first-nation-claim-against-law-firm-can-move-ahead-1.7489452