Cynthia Callison

Founding Partner
cynthia@chlaw.ca

Cynthia Callison is a founding partner of Callison & Hanna with a reputation as a leading negotiator in innovative agreements between Indigenous peoples, governments, and resource developers. Cynthia is a graduate of the Sauder School of Business and the Allard School of Law at UBC and she received a Masters in Constitutional Law from Osgoode Hall Law School.  She is an exceptional public speaker and an invited presenter at dialogues on Indigenous peoples. She currently serves on a number of boards which provide leadership for revitalizing Indigenous well-being.  Cynthia is a member of the Tahltan Nation whose territory is the Stikine River Watershed in northwestern BC.

Darwin Hanna

Founding Partner
darwin@chlaw.ca

Darwin Hanna is a founding partner of Callison & Hanna with a focus on comprehensive and specific land claims, self-government, and business law. Darwin graduated from SFU and UBC with degrees in Criminology and Law.  He is a member of both the Law Society of British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. For the last 20 years, Darwin has taught First Nations and Economic Development as an Adjunct Professor at UBC’s Allard School of Law and he recently authored Legal Issues on Indigenous Economic Development published by LexisNexis. He was the recipient of the GNWT Premier’s Award for collaboration on the Wildlife Act. Darwin is a member of the Nlaka’pamux Nation from the community of Lytton in the Fraser Canyon of BC. 

Chaslynn Gillanders

Senior Counsel
chaslynn@chlaw.ca

Chaslynn Gillanders has practiced law with Callison & Hanna since 2005 after studying criminology at SFU and receiving her law degree from the Allard School of Law at UBC.  Chaslynn's law practice is focused on comprehensive land claims, employment law, and finance law.  She is a member of both the Law Society of British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. Chaslynn is a member of the Board of Governors of the University of British Columbia and a trustee for the Richmond Public Library. While pursuing her post-secondary education, Chaslynn worked as a federal public servant in law enforcement. Chaslynn is a member of Nisga’a Nation in northern BC.

Michael Segelken

Senior Counsel
michael@chlaw.ca

Michael Segelken has practiced law with Callison & Hanna since 2006 after graduating with degrees in Political Science and Law from UBC and after articling and practicing civil litigation with a large downtown firm. His law practice is focused on business and economic development for Indigenous clients. He has been instrumental in the negotiation and implementation of several complex resource development agreements for Indigenous governments. He also advises Indigenous governments on trust management. Prior to attending law school, Mike spent five years working in the mining industry which has helped inform negotiations in the resource sector.  Mike was raised in North Vancouver, BC.

Nicole Hajash

Senior Counsel
nicole@chlaw.ca

Nicole Hajash rejoined Callison & Hanna in 2021 after practising law on Vancouver Island for 15 years. Her law practice focus is on governance, policy, and economic development. She is a certified mediator and arbitrator and she is also a certified electoral officer who has conducted many First Nations elections and referendums both in person and with digital voting.  Nicole practiced law with Callison & Hanna from 2002 to 2005 after graduating from UVIC and UBC with degrees in Arts and Law. Nicole is a director of the Hulitan Family & Community Services Society and is a member of the Da'naxda’xw First Nation which is located on the coast of B.C.

Caroline Roberts

Associate
caroline@chlaw.ca

Caroline Roberts joined Callison & Hanna as an associate in 2017. Her law practice focus is on strategic consultation and accommodation processes and on implementing treaty related measures.   Caroline graduated with a specialization in Aboriginal Law from the Allard School of Law at UBC. Prior to law school, she earned a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Indigenous Studies from UBCO. Caroline is a member of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation near Campbell River, BC.

Dana Makarenko

Paralegal
paralegal2@chlaw.ca

Dana Makarenko joined Callison and Hanna as a paralegal in 2018. She is a business graduate from Simon Fraser University with a double degree in business administration and international business and experience in both domestic and international business case competitions. Dana is currently attending Allard School of Law and working part-time with Callison & Hanna.  Dana was raised in the Ukraine and came to Canada to pursue post-secondary education.