Elana Yamanouchi

Elana Yamanouchi is an associate in Gowling WLG’s Vancouver office, where she assists Indigenous groups, as well as industry and government clients, on corporate commercial, governance, and regulatory matters.

Elana works on a range of general corporate and commercial matters, including corporate structures and governance. Her work includes supporting Indigenous clients on internal governance issues and assisting with corporate structures and governance related to economic development initiatives. She regularly assists with the development and application of governance documents, including laws, bylaws, and policies.

Elana also assists on matters relating to major energy and natural resource projects, particularly those engaging Indigenous lands, rights, and jurisdictions. Her work includes supporting environmental and regulatory processes such as environmental assessments, project approvals and permitting, and regulatory compliance across project development and operations.

Elana is committed to supporting Indigenous clients in advancing governance and economic initiatives in ways that reflect their priorities and long‑term objectives.

Elana earned her JD from the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia. During law school, she worked as a research assistant to Professor Natasha Affolder, conducting research on international environmental impact assessment legislation and environmental law theory. She also served as a clinic head with the Law Students’ Legal Advice Program at the Carnegie Community Action Project law clinic, held the role of Vice President, Internal of the Women’s Caucus, and worked with the UBC Innocence Project and the Criminal Law Clinic.

Prior to law school, Elana completed an Honours bachelor of arts in global development studies at Queen’s University.