Jeffrey Rath fought for First Nations. Now former clients are fighting him

For decades, lawyer Jeffrey Rath championed First Nations in their legal battles against Canada and Alberta, securing significant treaty and claims settlements. However, a Global News investigation reveals a pattern where these victories were often followed by disputes with former clients over Rath's fees, professional conduct, and the management of settlement funds.

These ongoing legal challenges now cast a shadow over Rath's prominent role in advocating for Alberta's independence. The lawyer, who once argued that governments had failed First Nations, now faces accusations from some of those same First Nations of failing them himself. Rath has vehemently denied any inappropriate behavior, calling the allegations false and indicating potential defamation actions.

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completely [denies] any inappropriate behaviour

Court and disciplinary records show that at least 10 First Nations have been involved in legal or Law Society proceedings against Rath. One First Nation even issued him a banishment notice, citing safety concerns. He is also scheduled for a three-week trial in 2027 concerning allegations of overcharging a nation after a treaty settlement, though none of these allegations have been proven in court.

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Clients are always happy when you spend years funding and pursuing cases on their behalf. Many are unhappy when they are rewarded for the hard work of their legal counsel and are billed exactly what they agreed to pay on a percentage basis at the outset of the case.

Rath has been a visible figure in various political movements, including suing Alberta over COVID-19 restrictions and supporting "Freedom Convoy" organizers. He was a key architect of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a separatist group, and reportedly criticizes Premier Danielle Smith for not pursuing separation aggressively enough. He is also representing Mitch Sylvestre in an independence petition fight, which faced a setback when First Nations successfully argued a lack of consultation.

One notable case involves the Tallcree First Nation, whose long-standing dispute with Rath escalated over trust money intended for minors. In 2021, Alberta courts ordered Rath & Company to refund $8.5 million of a 20 percent fee charged for the Tallcree's $57.6-million Treaty 8 settlement, money that court documents indicated was earmarked for minors.

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concerns for [members’] physical safety