Dan Vanclieaf
Senior Legal Counsel
Dan Vanclieaf Senior Attorney © Nature United
Area of Focus
Legal Counsel
Quote
Climate change and biodiversity loss are two of the greatest challenges facing this planet. I entered the legal profession to turn my passion for environmental protection into a meaningful impact. This role allows me to do that.
Biography
Dan joined Nature United in 2022. As Senior Legal Counsel, he provides experienced legal counsel in advancing Indigenous-led conservation projects and natural climate solutions across Canada.
Prior to joining our team, Dan practiced in the areas of energy, environmental, and Indigenous law at one of Atlantic Canada’s leading firms. He has experience in a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, including regulatory compliance and corporate governance. He has worked with industry stakeholders, governments, and Indigenous communities with respect to the development, financing, and approval of renewable energy projects across Canada and compliance within a range of federal and provincial environmental protection and carbon pricing regimes.
As an Indigenous lawyer, Dan has a vested interest in advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and has provided advice with respect to the government’s duty to consult and Indigenous and treaty rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Dan is committed to protecting biological diversity and advancing natural climate solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change. This passion led him to obtain a Juris Doctor and a Certificate in Environmental Law from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, as well as a Certificate in ESG, Climate and the Law from Osgoode Hall Law School. He is a recipient of the Elizabeth May Award for Environmental Service and the James Spurr Award in Environmental Law and is a published author on topics including Indigenous Rights, natural resource management, environmental regulation and protection.