About Derek

Derek Simon has a practice focused on working with Indigenous Peoples in the areas of Aboriginal, Commercial, and Environmental Law.  He serves a wide range of clients across Atlantic Canada including Indigenous governments, individuals, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and financial institutions.

Derek advises his clients on various legal issue, including:

• Consultation, Negotiations and Litigation related to energy and resource projects, including environmental assessments and impact and benefit agreements;
• Treaty Implementation, Self-Government and Title negotiations;
• Economic Development and Taxation; and
• Governance, Environmental Protection, and Land Management.

He has represented his clients in the courts of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, and in Federal Court on issues including Aboriginal and Treaty rights, Charter rights, consultation and accommodation, and environmental protection.

Derek serves on the Law Society of New Brunswick’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee, and TRC Education Committee. He is a Past Chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s National Aboriginal Law Section. Derek has written and lectured on various topics, including Aboriginal law, taxation and economic development, renewable energy, and protected areas.

Derek studied business at Wilfrid Laurier University, law at the University of Victoria, and Indigenous law at Victoria University Wellington (New Zealand). He has Certificates in Negotiation from Osgoode Hall Law School and Indigenous Negotiation Skills Training from the Banff Centre.

Derek is a volunteer with Scouts Canada, United Dartmouth Football Club, and the United Way’s Community Land Trust Advisory Board. Derek enjoys camping and the outdoors. Derek and his wife Cheryl live in Dartmouth.