Jack Woodward

use both this parameter and |birth_date to display the person's date of birth, date of death, and age at death) --> | death_place = | alma_mater = | occupation = Lawyer | party = New Democratic Party | spouse = | partner = | website = | signature = | signature_alt = }} Jack Woodward (born 3 October 1951) is a Canadian lawyer. He specializes in Canadian Aboriginal law and is the author of ''Aboriginal Law in Canada'', which is considered the leading Canadian publication on Aboriginal Law.

Woodward was named to ''Maclean's Power List'' in February 2022 as one of the top 50 Canadians who are forging paths, leading the debate and shaping how we think and live. Woodward has practiced law since 1979, primarily in the areas of Aboriginal law and environmental law. He has represented more than a hundred First Nations groups and organizations in a wide variety of legal actions including the landmark case, ''Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia'', the first successful Aboriginal title claim in Canada.

In 1980 he ran as a political candidate for the New Democratic Party in the Canadian federal election for the riding of North Vancouver—Burnaby.

Woodward wrote the first draft of section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, which provides constitutional protection to the indigenous and treaty rights of indigenous peoples in Canada. Ian Waddell, in his book ''Take the Torch: A Political Memoir,'' states that Woodward drafted the clause in January 1981, during negotiations in Ottawa with Minister of Justice Jean Chrétien. This is also referred to in the book ''Box of Treasures or Empty Box? Twenty Years of Section 35'' on page 18.

In 1988 he established the legal firm, Woodward and Company. He was also an adjunct professor of law at the University of Victoria for sixteen years, where he was instrumental in creating the university's first course in Aboriginal law.

In December 2011 Woodward was instated as a Queen's Counsel for the Canadian province of British Columbia. Provided by Wikipedia