Joshua D. Sutherland

Counsel

Josh is a member of the Red Rock Indian Band of the Lake Helen Reserve. Due to his tireless efforts in representing First Nations and their Indigenous related organizations, Josh was honoured to receive the traditional Blackfoot name of Awootaninaw (Shield Chief) by an Elder of the Siksika First Nation in a name giving ceremony. Throughout his career, Josh has remained unafraid to tackle any legal issue or case regardless of size or complexity. From First Nation clients (both on and off Reserve) to multi-national public and private companies and local businesses, Josh guides federally and provincially regulated employers and provides strategic advice on all aspects of workplace law.

No stranger to the courtroom, Josh has acted for clients before the Supreme Court of Canada as well as every level of court in multiple provinces. Josh has additionally conducted other matters before tribunals, adjudicators, fatality inquires, trial by judge and jury and more.  As a trusted legal advisor to Chief and Council, Boards of Directors, in-house counsel, senior management, executive leadership teams, and human resource departments, Josh guides his clients on best practices in all facets of workplace law.

Josh has extensive experience handling all aspects of employee dismissals, human rights issues, performance management, workplace investigations, drafting policies and executive and employee contracts, and presenting training modules for clients.  

As a grateful survivor of the 2004 Tsunami in Thailand, Josh has received various awards for his distinguished service in rescue efforts and for his work as a motivational speaker. Through his extraordinary background and varied life experiences, both domestic and abroad, Josh is able to relate to clients from all walks of life and delivers legal advice in a practical and common sense manner, without ever losing his signature sense of humour.

Education & Call to Bar
  • University of Toronto Faculty of Law, 2009
  • Law Society of Ontario, 2010
  • Law Society of Alberta, 2011
  • Lase Society of BC, 2021
Recognition
  • National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation Award, 2009
  • Gladys Watson Aboriginal Award, 2009
  • Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth Award, 2006
Community Involvement
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association
  • Founder, Diversity Pipeline Initiative
  • Aboriginal Outreach Project
  • CAPE Fund Advisor to the Honourable Prime Minister Paul Martin
  • Past Board Member, Two Wheel View Former Executive, Calgary Reads
  • Volunteer, Wellspring Legal Clinic
  • Volunteer, Pro-Bono Law Alberta
  • Volunteer, Living Book Career Event, Calgary Public Library