Roger A. Smith

Roger Smith is a solicitor who focuses on corporate law, tax planning, gaming law, and aboriginal law. He earned his B.B.A (1986) from St. Francis Xavier University and his LL.B. (1989) from the University of Saskatchewan. Roger has advised First Nation clients on all manner of First Nation economic development, both on and off reserve, including Additions to Reserve, Land Designations, commercial development, including casinos, hotels, conference centres, non-hospital surgical facilities and large-scale residential housing projects. Associated with these First Nations developments, Roger has also led national and cross-border bond, debt and bank financings of First Nations, including single transactions in excess of $200M. In addition to economic development and financing advice, Roger has also assisted numerous First Nations and Metis Groups in the modernization of their corporate structures to include an efficient mix of business trusts, limited partnerships, joint ventures, not-for-profit corporations and charitable societies.

Roger has sat on, and continues to sit on, numerous charitable and non-profit boards over the years, including past president of Rugby Canada, past Chair of Casino Dene and past chair of the 2006 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and past secretary of the Compassion House Foundation. He is currently Secretary of River Cree Resort & Casino and Secretary of Vancouver Sevens. Roger has given seminars on Aboriginal Economic Development, Aboriginal Tax, and Corporate Governance. Roger also provides pro bono counsel for several charitable and non-profit community and athletic associations at the provincial, national and international level.

Roger holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.