Ayanna Ferdinand Catlyn has a corporate and commercial law practice. She serves as a local agent for Canadian and international companies, banks and other lenders, law firms and not-for-profit organizations seeking assistance on corporate and commercial transactions, including commercial real estate and financing transactions impacting their operations in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon.
As the supervising partner of the Northern Canada corporate records office, she also has a general solicitor’s practice dedicated to serving similar business needs of local clients based in the northern territories.
Examples of how Ayanna has helped her clients achieve their business goals:
- Acted on behalf of multiple local businesses Northwest Territories and Nunavut on share and asset transactions worth several millions dollars.
- Acting as local counsel for several banks and national and international lenders on financing transactions valued at over $100 million.
- Acted on behalf of local business and as local counsel for national companies on the acquisition and sale of commercial real estate and financing.
- Acting as local counsel for mining and metal companies on due diligence, financing and security.
- Acting on behalf of local clients for multi-million dollar reorganizations while working closely with the client’s accountants.
Ayanna also regularly advises the Northwest Territories Public Utilities Board on daily operational decisions, long-term organizational strategy, corporate and commercial issues, policies and procedures, and administrative law.
Because of her ability to communicate and respond clearly to her clients, Ayanna was recently ranked in Chambers Canada Guide 2023 for General Business Law - Northern Canada and the Arctic. She strives for perfection and any client, big or small, deserves her full attention. Ayanna’s analytical thinking gives her the ability to solve a problem before the client realizes there is one.
Value to Clients
Before joining the firm, Ayanna served as general counsel and corporate secretary for several organizations for more than a decade. She recognises the importance of understanding the client’s business needs before providing legal advice thus adding daily value to her clients’ operations and ensuring that their interests always come first.
Outside the Office
Ayanna and her husband enjoy travelling to destinations around the world and having new experiences, volunteering at the local SPCA and providing a foster home for neglected cats. Ayanna also enjoys biking to work, running, skiing and a variety of Northern sports.
NWT Bar Association Privacy Law Section
Chair
2015
Canadian College of Health Leaders
Member
2003 - Present
Canadian Bar Association
Member
2003 - Present
General Business Law, Northern Canada and the Arctic
Chambers and Partners
2023
Certified Specialist
Health Law
2011
Board of the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation
Director
2021 - Present
Board of the Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation
Director
2021 - Present
North West Territories SPCA
Volunteer Support
2016 - Present
Northwest Territories Chamber of Commerce
Chair, Bylaw Committee
2016 - 2016
Northwest Territories Chamber of Commerce
Director
2016 - 2016
Northwest Territories Chamber of Commerce
Vice President
2014 - 2015