About Wayne D. Garnons-Williams 

Wayne is Senior Lawyer and Principal Director of Garwill Law Professional Corp. that offers litigation, ADR and corporate commercial services with a particular interest in Aboriginal law, Customs, Excise and International Trade law.  

Wayne enjoys resolving challenging civil litigation and corporate commercial law problems that have a mix of Aboriginal law and Trade Law concepts.  Providing corporate law services to young and growing start-up companies and First Nation business ventures is a passion for Wayne.

Wayne was born on the Moosomin First Nation, Treaty 6 territory in Saskatchewan.  He received his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Windsor and his Bachelor of Laws at Queen’s University. He was called to the bar in the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1992 and to the Law Society of British Columbia in 1994.  For nine years he was a lawyer practicing in the Litigation Section, Department of Justice, Ottawa and Vancouver Regional Office. As a lawyer Wayne gained litigation and ADR experience in most federal boards and tribunals, the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal as well as the Superior and Appeal Courts of Ontario and British Columbia.   In 1999 he accepted the position of Senior Litigation Counsel, Sierra Legal Defence Fund, Eagle Project (Environmental and Aboriginal Guardianship through Law and Education) in Vancouver which litigates aboriginal title/ environmental issues on behalf of First Nations in British Columbia and Alberta.  In 2001 Wayne obtained his Certificate in Advanced Alternative Dispute Resolution from the University of Windsor.  In the fall of 2008 he received his Masters of specializing in Judicial Administration Management theory and practice at Dalhousie University.  

From 2008 to 2011 Wayne was the President of the National Council for Aboriginal Federal Employees (NCAFE). Wayne is currently an active member in the Indigenous Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association (Aboriginal Law, Corporate Law, Civil Litigation and Administrative Law chapters), the Carleton County Law Association, the Advocates’ Society and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

Wayne held various federal executive legal positions, including: Registrar of the Federal Court of Canada; Director of Service Coordination, Courts Administration Service and Director for Resolutions, Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada and closing out his public sector career as Deputy Head and Registrar of the Specific Claims Tribunal of Canada. In December 2012, Wayne was appointed Tribunal Chair of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Appeal Tribunal.

Company Overview

Garwill Law is a boutique law firm. Founded in 2012, Garwill Law offers tailored legal advice and representation to companies, individuals, and governments seeking legal advice, advocacy, or representation in the areas of corporate commercial, civil litigation and ADR.

Garwill Law has its headquarters in downtown Ottawa, but the firm has extensive digital technology in place, which allows its lawyers and support staff to work from almost any location with ease. Garwill Law’s digital office platform minimizes the firm’s operational costs. This lowers Garwill Law’s operating budget, and increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the legal work performed. The savings accrued are passed on to the client, in the form of flat fee billing or competitive hourly billing for clients of Garwill Law.

Garwill Law's founder, Wayne Garnons-Williams, brings over 22 years' experience in litigation at federal courts, tribunals, boards, and commissions.  Wayne has extensive advisory and representative experience. Wayne has held a number of legal executive positions, including Chair of the FSIN Appeals Tribunal, Registrar and Deputy Head of the Federal Court of Canada, and Registrar and Deputy Head of the Specific Claims Tribunal of Canada. Wayne has gained unique knowledge of the internal workings, tactics and strategies pertaining to tribunal and court practice. 

Client Services

Garwill Law specializes in civil litigation and corporate commercial law, with a strong interest in Aboriginal law and Trade Law.  Providing corporate law services to start-up companies and First Nation business ventures is a passion for the firm.

Garwill Law focuses primarily on building a clientele among new and developing businesses or individuals seeking representation on corporate commercial, civil litigation and ADR matters. Garwill Law accepts Law Society and law firm referrals from individuals and businesses on corporate commercial, civil litigation and ADR matters.

Garwill Law also offers individuals, businesses, and governments a wide variety of representation for federal administrative law litigation and advisory practice, including Charter, human rights and equity law issues, immigration, Aboriginal law, unjust dismissal, and judicial administration and not-for-profit/charity law. 

There is a natural fit with Garwill Law for matters involving international trade, customs, excise, and investment law. Garwill Law represents clients in trade disputes, negotiates complex trade arrangements, interprets complex treaty obligations, and advocates on behalf of clients with Canadian and foreign governments.

Garwill Law can assist in trade and investment matters, and participate in administrative law litigation regarding international trade. Garwill Law’s advisory practice includes Charter, human rights and equity law issues, immigration, Aboriginal law, unjust dismissal, and judicial administration.