PERRIE LAW - About

At Perrie Law, we provide respectful, culturally informed legal services that honor the diverse experiences of our clients centre Indigenous experiences and perspectives.

Serving communities across Nunavut and Manitoba, we take the time to understand your unique circumstances and work with the courts to accommodate cultural practices, including requests for Eagle feathers and smudging ceremonies.

We recognize the unique realities faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada, and our team, which is made up of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals, is committed to listening to your story, seeing you as a whole person, and standing beside you through every step of your legal journey.

Grounded in Values

Defend your Rights

Explore every angle of your legal matter and relentlessly pursue the best outcome for your situation.

Enhance Access to Justice

Ensure you have support to navigate the colonial justice system and are treated with fairness and respect.

Support Community-Led Solutions

Amplify community voices to promote self-determination in resolving legal matters.

Integrate Cultural Knowledge

Bridge gaps between Indigenous traditions and Western legal systems by incorporating Indigenous knowledge into colonial legal practice when appropriate.

Advocate for Marginalized Populations

Provide tailored legal support for underserved groups facing systemic and cross-jurisdictional legal challenges.

Our Circle

Victoria Perrie Founder

Victoria Perrie (she/her) is a 2S Métis-Cree lawyer from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She recently received the King Charles III Coronation Medal, an award given to those who "have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada." Additionally, on October 19, 2025, she was elected Vice President of the Indigenous Bar Association.

After completing her Juris Doctor at the University of Manitoba in 2018, Victoria was called to the New Brunswick and Nunavut Bars in 2019, and to the Manitoba Bar in 2020. She graduated with a double major in Criminology and Psychology from the University of Manitoba before completing the Program of Legal Studies for Native People at the University of Saskatchewan. She is presently working towards her LLM at York University's Osgoode Hall in Criminal Law and Procedure.

Victoria is a criminal defence lawyer with a practice focused on representing clients at all stages of the criminal justice process. Her work includes trial advocacy, bail hearings, sentencing, and appellate matters. She regularly appears in circuit courts across Nunavut and occasionally in Manitoba. Victoria has extensive experience working in northern, remote, and Indigenous communities.

In addition to criminal defence, Victoria does some work in the areas of police misconduct and wills and estates. Her practice is grounded in trauma-informed, client-focused advocacy and emphasizes clear communication, cultural competency, and practical problem-solving. Victoria also engages in legal education and professional development, delivering training and presentations on advanced client-focused practice and access to justice and supports community legal education through her Tiktok @arcticlawyer.

Beyond her legal accomplishments, Victoria actively contributes to her community. She previously served as a Director of the Nunavut Law Foundation, and currently serves as Board Member to the Manitoba Association of Playwrights, and as Vice-President to the Indigenous Bar Association.

Preferred Practice Areas

Criminal Defence
Police Misconduct
Negotiations

For interviews, speaking opportunities, or media requests, please contact:

media@perrie-law.com

For all other inquires:

admin@perrie-law.com

Carlie Kane Associate

Carlie Kane (she/her) is a proud member of Obishikokaang, also known as Lac Seul First Nation, on Treaty 3 territory in Northwestern Ontario. Her deep connection to community is rooted through her grandmother, Elizabeth Southwind—a respected matriarch and language speaker. Raised in the West End of Winnipeg, Carlie’s lived experience with intergenerational trauma has strengthened her commitment to break cycles of harm and reclaim Indigenous identity through healing, education, and legal advocacy.

Carlie holds an Advanced Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies and a Juris Doctor (Law) degree from the University of Manitoba. Carlie’s most recent legal experience includes work with First Peoples Law and Saunders DeLaronde Law, where she supported Indigenous governance, law development, and community-based and Indigenous specific legal research.

Carlie currently sits on the board for the North End Women’s Centre and the Manitoba Hydro Accountability Board. She has a passion for writing and has published articles and resources with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Centre for Human Rights Research and most recently for Herizons Magazine.

Preferred Practice Areas

- Wills and Estates
- Corporate Law
- Real Estate
- Non-Contested Divorce
- Indigenous Governance
- Contracts
- Employment Law

Contact: carlie@perrie-law.com

Vanessa Friesen Associate

Vanessa Friesen (she/her) is a lawyer in Winnipeg, Manitoba. While Vanessa is a white settler Canadian, she was raised to respect all people of all backgrounds and is pleased to have the opportunity to learn about the various Indigenous peoples and cultures in Canada.

Before she became a lawyer, Vanessa completed a Bachelor of Music at Canadian Mennonite University and a Juris Doctor at the University of Manitoba. Vanessa earned her way through university by spending five summers tree planting in BC and Alberta in between school years. Vanessa completed her articles in the Okanagan region of BC, then promptly moved back to her hometown of Winnipeg. Vanessa was called to the Bar of Manitoba in 2020.

Vanessa’s experience as a lawyer includes employment, landlord-tenant, and wills and estates law. Vanessa prefers to assist clients without going to Court, for example through negotiation and mediation. Vanessa prefers resolving disputes through negotiation and mediation as these means are often less stressful, less expensive, and much faster than going to Court. Vanessa is also glad to assist clients by drafting employment contracts and policies, reviewing severance packages, drafting wills, and assisting clients with administering estates.

In her personal life, Vanessa spends her time raising her young family and enjoying music, food, and the outdoors. Vanessa sings in a choir, enjoys trying new recipes, and cycles to work almost year round.

Preferred Practice Areas

- Employment
- Wills and Estates
- Landlord-Tenant

Contact: vanessa@perrie-law.com

Lou Lamari Associate

Lou Lamari (they/them) is a Winnipeg-based lawyer with a focus on family law. As a settler on treaty one territory with mixed Algerian and European ancestry, Lou developed an early understanding of how colonization shapes identity, family histories, and the transmission of intergenerational trauma. Although their family’s experiences are distinct from those of Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island, this awareness informs Lou’s appreciation for the unique histories, strengths and challenges their Indigenous clients carry.

Lou is the co-chair of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community (SOGIC) Section of the Manitoba Bar Association and serves as a Manitoba representative on the national Canadian Bar Association Sexual and Gender Diversity Alliance (SAGDA) executive team. Their work in these roles reflects a long standing dedication to advancing equity and supporting 2SLGBTQIA communities. Lou also volunteers as a program facilitator with the Rainbow Resource Centre in Winnipeg.

Prior to law school, Lou completed a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Winnipeg. Lou completed their Juris Doctor at the University of Manitoba in 2024, and received their call to the Manitoba Bar in 2025. In their final year of law school, Lou completed an externship with the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) in Toronto, assisting on matters of national significance involving gender issues and equality rights. During their articles, Lou supported small businesses with corporate law services at a pro bono legal clinic, consulted on human rights files relating to constitutional and administrative law, and managed criminal defence and family law files with Legal Aid Manitoba.

Lou practises family law and draws on experience gained through their time at Legal Aid and in their previous work with a boutique family law firm in Winnipeg. Their practice takes a collaborative approach whenever appropriate, with the goal of helping families navigate difficult times as well as positive milestones and new beginnings. Lou strives to demystify the legal system, ensuring clients understand how the law can support them and provide informed guidance when the system feels complex or unwelcoming.

Outside of practice, Lou enjoys knitting, cooking, and spending time with their niece and nephews.

Preferred Practice Areas

- Family Law

Contact: lou@perrie-law.com

Charlotte Sheasby Research Assistant

Charlotte Sheasby (she/they) is a Research Assistant who divides her time between Calgary, Alberta, and Toronto, Ontario. Charlotte takes seriously the obligations that reconciliation places on white settlers such as herself to work to understand Indigenous cultures, support Indigenous self-determination, and disrupt colonial power structures wherever possible. At Perrie Law, Charlotte furthers the work of staff lawyers through behind-the-scenes research support.

Charlotte holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Osgoode Hall Law School of York University; a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law; a Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.), with a concentration in theology, from Yale University, School of Divinity; and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), with a major in Christian Studies, from Ambrose University. Charlotte is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Law at Osgoode Hall.

Charlotte’s professional experience includes a summer internship on the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota, advising The Episcopal Church on, among other things, the Indigenization of its work there. While in law school, Charlotte held summer positions at the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) in Toronto, as well as at the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre.

In her personal life, Charlotte enjoys watching sports, cooking and baking, and quilting.

Preferred Practice Areas

- Criminal defence and appeals
- Constitutional law
- Human rights law

Contact: charlotte@perrie-law.com

Sloan Martens Administrator

Sloan Martens (they/them) is a queer white settler living in Treaty 7 land in Mohkinstsis, Alberta.

Sloan keeps Perrie Law running smoothly so our lawyers can focus on advocacy for clients across Nunavut and Manitoba. Sloan’s approach reflects our firm’s commitment to respectful, culturally informed, client-centred service.

Sloan designs and maintains the systems that move cases forward including managing back-end systems, overseeing billing and finance, and opening & closing files. With a detail-driven, solutions-first mindset, Sloan supports our team from first contact to file completion, ensuring clients feel informed and supported at every step.

Sloan’s steady presence and practical leadership help us deliver on our promise: rigorous representation grounded in care, clarity, and respect.

Areas of Focus:

File Opening / Closing
Back End Systems Operations
Billing & Finance

Contact: admin@perrie-law.com

Kerri Potter Office Manager

Kerri Potter (She/Her) is the Office Manager at Perrie Law and the first welcoming face clients meet when they connect with our office. With a background in customer service and theatre administration, she brings many years of experience creating warm, professional, and culturally safe spaces.

A graduate of the University of Winnipeg’s Acting Honours program, Kerri has worked extensively in the Winnipeg theatre community, where she collaborated with Indigenous artists, supported the Indigenous Theatre for Youth program at Manitoba Theatre for Young People, and partnered with knowledge and language keepers on educational resources.

At Perrie Law, Kerri ensures the office runs smoothly and that every client feels supported from their very first call. She is the smiling face when you walk in our front door at our Winnipeg office and is grateful to be part of a team dedicated to serving communities across Nunavut and Manitoba.

Areas of Focus:

Operations & Administration
Coordination & Communication
Policies, Compliance & Support

Contact: office@perrie-law.com

Breanna Epp Team Manager

Breanna Epp (she/her) provides team management at Perrie Law, ensuring that each team member is well-supported while they, in turn, support the community.

Breanna has spent the past decade in team leadership and operations roles across multiple industries, from the non-profit sector to healthcare to consulting firms. She is based in Treaty 1 (Winnipeg) and as a settler Canadian, she feels privileged to play a small background role in the important work Perrie Law is doing in this community and in Nunavut.

In addition to supporting her clients, Breanna is studying Sociology at the University of Manitoba with a focus on understanding the systemic societal factors that affect health outcomes. During her free time, Breanna can be found lifting in the gym, getting outside whenever possible, or laughing at dumb TV with her husband and business partner, Ben.

Areas of Focus:

Team Care & Support
Outcomes & Impact
Systems & Flow

Contact: manager@perrie-law.com

Tess Ray Houston Communications Lead

Tess Ray Houston (they/she) is a Red River Métis Creative Consultant & Music Manager based in Treaty 1 Territory (Winnipeg, MB). As Communications Lead at Perrie Law, Tess specializes in developing clear, accessible, and impactful messaging that connects communities with legal services and advocacy rooted in empowerment, clarity, and collaboration.

With a decade of experience across communications, arts, and media, Tess brings a multidisciplinary lens to their work — blending strategic thinking with a strong sense of storytelling and design. In addition to Perrie Law, Tess founded Midnight Bannock, an artist management and creative services company, where they guided artists through branding, public communications, and long-term career development. They also gained experience supporting musicians and organizations in both non-profit and contract roles, sharpening their communications and management skills through mentorship with industry leaders.

Tess’s background in film, visual arts, and performance deepens their approach to communication, offering a unique ability to translate complex ideas into accessible and compelling stories. Their work in national media productions, fashion, and visual arts has strengthened their eye for detail and commitment to representing diverse voices with authenticity and care.

At Perrie Law, Tess applies this breadth of experience to lead communications strategy, ensuring the firm’s messages reflect its values of advocacy, accessibility, and community connection.

Areas of Focus:

Communications
Media & Speaker Requests

Contact: media@perrie-law.com

Work With Us

Our work is grounded in relationships—among our team, with our clients, and with the land and people we serve. If you carry a strong sense of responsibility, a desire to learn, and act with humility, we’d love to hear from you.

To learn more about career opportunities with Perrie Law or to share your CV, please contact Sloan Martens, Administrator, at admin@perrie-law.com.

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