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Sabrina
Spencer

she / her / hers Partner
  • sspencer@airdberlis.com
  • 778.731.2224
Office:
  • Vancouver Office
Call to Bar:

Admitted to the British Columbia Bar: 2018

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  7. Sabrina Spencer

Sabrina’s practice centers on Aboriginal and environmental law, where she works to foster change and progress through innovative legal approaches. Sabrina helps clients navigate sophisticated challenges in advancing reconciliation, addressing climate change and promoting sustainable business practices. She combines her legal expertise with a background in business and policy, having held leadership roles in commercial banking and corporate sustainability, as well as serving as Vice President at the BC Council of Forest Industries. Sabrina’s experience working with executive leadership and government officials enables her to build strong relationships and develop forward-thinking strategies to drive long-term reconciliation and sustainable growth.

Sabrina is a member of the firm’s Indigenous Practice Group and Co-Leader of the Environmental Law and ESG & Sustainability Groups. She is also a member of the firm’s Energy Group. Sabrina works closely with Indigenous communities and companies to advance reconciliation and sustainability, including through negotiations between Indigenous communities and project proponents, particularly in relation to natural resource and energy projects. She works with Indigenous clients to develop governance and legal structures related to environmental and natural resource issues. Sabrina’s work in Indigenous relations includes advising both commercial and local government clients on strategies to foster positive relationships with Indigenous communities. She has led negotiations and drafted impact benefit agreements, contributing significantly to the advancement of reconciliation. Sabrina also counsels both Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients on climate change, nature and ESG matters, including reviewing annual sustainability-related disclosures, assessing climate- and nature-related risks, and advising on carbon and biodiversity credit transactions.

In environmental law, Sabrina has extensive experience assisting clients with approvals and processes under various provincial and federal regulatory regimes related to water, fisheries, wildlife and species at risk.

Sabrina also specializes in regulatory processes, assisting clients with natural resource, pipeline, energy and utility projects, including expertly navigating both provincial and federal assessments. She has extensive expertise in permitting on reserve lands under the Indian Act and the First Nations Land Management Act. Sabrina’s experience also includes representing clients in proceedings before various administrative tribunals, such as the BC Environmental Appeal Board, BC Utilities Commission, Canada Energy Regulator and Canadian Transportation Agency.

Sabrina is a member of the firm’s Student Recruitment Committee, working closely on outreach initiatives, application assessments and interview processes.

Expertise

  • ESG & Sustainability
  • Environmental
  • Energy
  • Competition, Antitrust & Foreign Investment
  • Indigenous

Professional Involvement

Memberships

  • Member-at-Large, National Energy, Environment and Resource Law Section, Canadian Bar Association
  • Member, Vancouver Bar Association

Community Involvement

  • Member, BC SPCA

Panellist, "Situation Critical: An Update on Critical Mineral Projects Across Canada," CBA Environmental Energy and Resources Law Summit, April 27-28, 2026.

Moderator, "Navigating B.C.'s Regulatory Landscape," First Nations Energy Summit 2025, December 8-9, 2025.

Co-Presenter, "Current Developments and Issues in the Duty to Consult and Accommodate," Developments in Aboriginal and Indigenous Law 2025, Pacific Business & Law Institute, October 28-29, 2025.

Related News

Firm News

Aird & Berlis Welcomes New Partners Stephen Leonard, Sabrina Spencer and Demetre Vasilounis

March 05, 2025

Education

  • JD, Specialization in Environmental and Natural Resource Law, University of British Columbia, 2016
  • Master in Environmental Studies, York University, 2013
  • BA (with Distinction), Economics, University of Alberta, 2006
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