Developed a private practice in criminal, civil and administrative law, with mentorship from managing partner Bruce Laycock (former Director, Alberta Justice, Energy). Contracted by Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation as its Legal Officer to respond to the Federal Court’s directions in Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation v Hamelin, 2018 FCA 131.

Managed heavy caseload of provincial and federal matters. Provided nine (9) RCMP detachments with pre-charge advice and ongoing support. Docket and trial work on criminal and regulatory offences, including summary conviction appeals. Developed collaborative relationships with Councils at Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, Beaver Lake Cree Nation and Saddle Lake Cree Nation. Speaking to students at schools in St Paul and Beaver Lake Cree Nation. Organized lunch-and-learn session for Crown Prosecutors in Edmonton on gendered violence via Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters. Invited by Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services to participate as Crown representative on Sexual Assault Response.

Judicial Clerkship with The Honourable Leonard (Tony) Mandamin. Wrote bench memoranda and provided advice on issues of evidence, questions of law (often novel) and statutory interpretation on Aboriginal, administrative, constitutional and civil cases and Federal Court procedure. Assisted at hearings and trials including the Alderville Litigation resulting in an unprecedented settlement between Canada, Ontario and the Williams Treaties First Nations aimed at restoring the self sufficiency of the First Nations. Assisted with developing Federal Court Aboriginal Litigation Practice Guidelines. Organized lunch-and-learn sessions for Judicial Clerks with The Honourable Frank Iacobucci and The Honourable Michael Moldaver.

Summer (2011, 2012) and articling (2013-14) terms with the following departments:

• Prosecutions and Criminal Appeals: Second chair on R v Raynor (sexual assault causing bodily harm), R v Lopez-Garcia (aggravated sexual assault); R v Porter (fatal hit and run), R v Noel (prolific bank robber). Completed provincial and criminal trials with just outcomes.
• Social Enhancement Legal Team: Completed litigation files involving Child Protection, Child Support, Maintenance Enforcement, and Office of the Public Guardian.
• Civil Litigation: Obtained orders relinquishment of property and monies seized from the drug traffickers under the Victims Restitution and Compensation Payment Act. Helped draft record in judicial review of decision to close Michener Centre, Alberta’s remaining institution for people with developmental disabilities.
• Office of the Public Trustee: Served 22 trust officers and their clients. Assisted a vulnerable Albertan with removing squatters from his property in Mannville.
• Aboriginal Law: Provided direction to 10 client ministries on consultation and accommodation. Assisted legal team with drafting response to SCC leave to appeal application in R v Hirsekorn (leave refused). Conducted chambers applications and examinations for discovery. Conducted research for trial and appellate matters.
• Central Services (Solicitors): Completed administrative license suspension appeal submissions on behalf of the Registrar of Motor Vehicle Services for the Alberta Transportation Safety Board (creating a fulsome practice of response that was adopted by Alberta Justice). Drafted services contract for Chief Medical Examiner.

Contracted by Legal Aid to improve objectivity in Gladue reports. Provided training to writers, edited reports, and organized an information session for students at UBC Law.

Invited by British Columbia Prosecution Service (Surrey Crown) to participate in a non-academic Performance as Judicial Intern led to Surrey Crown invitation to job shadow prosecutors including Winston Sayson QC who had me assist as second chair on R v Soderberg, a robbery and unlawful confinement judge and jury trial (note-taking, researching points of law, victim relations).

Chosen by selection committee for Judicial Internship supervised by The Honourable Melissa Gillespie and The Honourable Kenneth W. Ball. Researched points of law and drafted materials for 13 judges at BC’s highest volume Provincial Court. Participated in Circuit Court with Judge J. Wingham in Bella Bella (Heiltsuk First Nation) and Klemtu (Kitasoo First Nation). Assisted then Judge K.W. Ball in R v Christensen, 2012 BCPC 0374 (providing research on constitutionality of mandatory minimum sentences). Assisted Judge J. Jardine with his publication “Warrants to Search: Investigative Tools or Judicial Roadblocks?”.

Articled temporarily in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside under Director Sarah Rauch, provided free legal services to the Indigenous community in areas of criminal law, family law (including mediations), civil claims, and administrative tribunals and appeals. Completed Independent Assessment Process and Common Experience claims for residential school survivors.

Worked full-time as an Internal Investigator, then part-time during undergraduate studies as an External Investigator. Highlights included training new hires, terminating a major counterfeit credit card operation, helping arrestees with recovery plans, running child identification clinics, and narrating the company’s employee training video.

Elected recruit training class valedictorian. Coordinated Sheriffs’ inaugural participation in 2006 Peace Officers’ Memorial. Provided enforcement during 2006 Stanley Cup riots in Edmonton.

Elected Class President both years.
Organized student volunteer opportunities with Crimestoppers Edmonton.
Louise McKinney Scholarship for highest GPA in first year studies.
Participated on inter-faculty Project HOPE student team that raised $35,000 before traveling to Guatemala to build a three-room schoolhouse for the Indigenous population (Summer 2014).