Who We Are
Since opening our doors in 2007, our firm has been recognized nationally for its work in law relating to Indigenous peoples. Founders Paul Dionne (now retired) and David Schulze have been named among Canada’s best lawyers in this field every year since 2006; they have since been joined by Élisabeth Patterson and Jameela Jeeroburkhan, who also feature consistently on these lists. Their leadership helped shape a practice grounded in excellence, collaboration, and community trust. In 2024, Nicholas Dodd and Marie-Eve Dumont also became partners.
We work on everything from high-profile constitutional litigation and class actions to matters like employment law, governance, and environmental assessment. Whether it’s a major court case or day-to-day strategic advice, we tailor our approach to meet our clients’ goals — within timelines and budgets that work for them.
Our practice is grounded in long-term relationships. Our clients return to us because they trust us to respond to their needs and serve their interests.
Our Values
Delivering quality work to every client with an attention to detail that reflects our professional rigour. Demonstrating our creativity and boldness in finding solutions to our clients’ challenges by integrating different legal sources and traditions.
Respecting the autonomy and goals of our clients and being alive to the realities in which they operate.
Working collaboratively and drawing on the strengths of each team member. Fostering client relationships that are marked by mutual learning and knowledge sharing.
Fighting for access to justice for our clients, and contributing to a more just society.
Our Team
We are a team of experienced, bilingual lawyers with a well-established practice in Indigenous law. Trained in both Quebec civil law and Canadian common law, we’ve appeared before courts and tribunals at all levels.
Our partners have helped Indigenous communities and organizations achieve meaningful, lasting results — supported by a dedicated group of lawyers and legal staff who share a commitment to high-quality, community-centred legal work. We’re proud to include both Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals, many with international or trauma-informed experience, and we’re deeply invested in mentoring the next generation of Indigenous lawyers.
David Schulze
Partner
David Schulze is a founding partner of the law firm of Dionne Schulze and has acquired an expertise in Aboriginal law since his call to the Bar in 1995.
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Elisabeth Patterson
Partner
Elisabeth Patterson joined Dionne Schulze law firm in 2010. She advises mostly First Nation and Inuit governments and organisations…
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Jameela Jeeroburkhan
Partner
Jameela Jeeroburkhan joined Dionne Schulze in 2010 as counsel and became a partner in 2013. She maintains a diverse practice …
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Nicholas Dodd
Partner
Nicholas Dodd joined Dionne Schulze as an articling student in 2009, became a lawyer with the firm in 2010, and has been a partner since 2024.Full Bio →
Marie-Eve Dumont
Partner
Marie-Eve Dumont has been with Dionne Schulze since its foundation in 2007. She has worked as a lawyer at the firm since 2012 and as a partner since 2024.
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Maryse Décarie-Daigneault
Lawyer
Maryse Décarie-Daigneault joined Dionne Schulze’s team as a lawyer in November 2017. She is particularly involved in cases involving ancestral…
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David Janzen
Lawyer
David Janzen joined Dionne Schulze as a lawyer in 2016 after articling and working as a law student with the firm. David Janzen primarily represents…
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Sarah-Maude Belleville-Chénard
Lawyer
Sarah-Maude Belleville-Chénard joined Dionne Schulze in June 2017 as a lawyer. She acts primarily in environmental and territorial governance matters…
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Marie-Alice D’Aoust
Lawyer
Marie-Alice D’Aoust joined Dionne Schulze in January 2018 as an articling student and, since August 2018, as a lawyer. She is notably involved in First…
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Léa Lemay Langlois
Lawyer
Léa Lemay Langlois joined the Dionne Schulze team in January 2019, first as an articling student and then as a lawyer. She works on various …
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Sara Andrade
Lawyer
Sara Andrade joined Dionne Schulze as a lawyer in June 2019. She has been working on files involving specific claims, environmental assessment…
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Rose Victoria Adams
Lawyer
Rose Victoria Adams joined Dionne Schulze as a lawyer in 2022. She is notably involved in the litigation of class actions for historical institutional abuse and …
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Marsela Ianni
Lawyer
Marsela Ianni joined the Dionne Schulze team in 2024 as Claims Counsel for the Indian Boarding Homes Class Action settlement.
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Wade MacAulay
Lawyer
Wade MacAulay joined Dionne Schulze in 2020, first as a law student, then as an articling student, and finally as a lawyer in February 2023.
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Adrienne Tessier
Lawyer
Adrienne Tessier joined Dionne Schulze in 2022 as a law student, then as an articling student, and then as a lawyer in December 2024.
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Alexia Legault
Lawyer
Alexia Legault joined Dionne Schulze’s team in 2024 as a lawyer for the Indian Boarding Home class action settlement. In this role, she regularly travels to…
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Julia Thomas
Lawyer
Julia Thomas joined the team at Dionne Schulze in 2025. She works primarily on class actions related to institutional abuse.
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Vanessa Lafaille
Senior Legal Assistant
Vanessa Lafaille joined Dionne Schulze in 2009 as a legal assistant. She completed her D.E.C. in the Paralegal program at Collège Ahuntsic in 2008.
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Julie Gay
Paralegal
Julie Gay joined the Dionne Schulze team in 2023 as a paralegal. She assists the firm’s lawyers with litigation matters before the Superior Court …
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Alice Szekely
Human Resources Coordinator
Alice Szekely joined the firm in June 2023 as Human Resources Coordinator. She studied law in France and then moved to Quebec, where she obtained…
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Raphaëlle Morin-Harvey
Administrative Assistant
Raphaëlle Morin-Harvey joined the team in February 2024 as an administrative assistant.
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Eliza Kingston
Administrative Coordinator | Boarding Homes Class Action
Eliza Kingston joined Dionne Schulze in September 2024 as part of our Indian Boarding Homes Class Action team. She is responsible for the…
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Geneviève Dionne-Mandell
Coordinator | Boarding Homes Class Action
Geneviève Dionne-Mandell joined Dionne Schulze in August 2025 as part of our Indian Boarding Homes Class…
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Paul Dionne, Ad. E.
Founding Partner (retired)
Paul Dionne has represented Indian bands and tribal councils for almost 40 years. His practice included the negotiation of treaties, administrative…
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Birdie
Senior Canine Support Coordinator
Birdie joined the Dionne Schulze team in 2023 when Rose Victoria Adams adopted him from the Montreal SPCA.
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