Legal Aid Alberta prepares for escalating job action by criminal defence lawyers
What Albertans need to know about accessing legal aid. EDMONTON – Yesterday, Legal Aid Alberta learned through media reports that criminal defence lawyers participating in job action are planning to escalate withdrawal of legal aid services starting on September 1 and will begin refusing certain types of criminal cases. Job action by private […]
One day at a time: Legal Aid Alberta managing withdrawal of duty counsel services by contracted criminal defence lawyers
LAA is making significant efforts to support Albertans in provincial courts. EDMONTON – Right now, more than 35,000 Albertans in 75 communities are receiving legal aid assistance and demand for help never stops. People who depend on legal aid face extraordinarily difficult life circumstances such as mental health issues, past trauma and addiction. The […]
Legal Aid Alberta responds to possible withdrawal of services by some private sector roster lawyers
Legal aid support will continue to be available in provincial courts. EDMONTON — Yesterday, members of three criminal defence organizations who do legal aid work voted in favour of withdrawing provincial court duty counsel services for two weeks starting on Monday, August 8. Roster lawyers who do legal aid are not employees of Legal Aid Alberta […]
How Legal Aid Alberta lawyers navigate challenging client relationships
Tips and tricks for managing situations that involve not-so-easy-to-work-with individuals. Good communication, time management, and appropriate expectation-setting are fundamental to representing your clients effectively. With many clients, this comes easily — but occasionally, lawyers encounter situations where navigating that client relationship is particularly challenging. For more difficult client situations, Legal Aid Alberta […]
Ask a Lawyer: Ins-and-outs of bail hearings in Alberta
What to do if you’re arrested and denied bail. Protect your legal rights. Legal Aid Alberta bail lawyers are free for all Albertans. Bail hearings and self-representation have become trending topics in nationwide news coverage and social media amidst the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protests. Dave Lloyd, Justice of the Peace bail lawyer with […]
It started with a pair of shoes
Legal Aid Alberta’s Jenny Le shares the story of her journey to Canada and, ultimately, the Client Services team Jenny Le took a leap of faith when she moved to Canada. Living in the large, bustling city of Ho Chi Minh, Le was content with her day-to-day life in Vietnam—raising her two daughters […]
Legal Aid Alberta takes home two Alberta Community Justice Awards
LAA’s Jessica Buffalo and Emergency Protection Order Program (EPOP) celebrated for leadership, innovation and dedication On Friday, June 17, Legal Aid Alberta received two Alberta Community Justice Awards during a ceremony held in Lacombe, Alberta. The Emergency Protection Order Program (EPOP) received the Community Justice Award in Service Enhancement and Lawyer Jessica Buffalo received the Community […]
Family violence still rising: Legal Aid Alberta faces increase in requests for emergency protection orders
Applications for emergency protection orders have risen by 17 per cent in the last four years. Alberta continues to see a spike in family violence, with emergency protection order (EPO) applications up 17 per cent since 2018. Legal Aid Alberta (LAA) staff lawyers working within the Emergency Protection Order Program (EPOP) report 2,267 opened files […]
Students-at-law: four tips for making the most of your experience as a roster articling student
Advice from Legal Aid Alberta staff lawyers on how to build your way to a successful career. Around seventy students-at-law are connected to Legal Aid Alberta as members of the roster. Students are the future of legal aid and the legal profession. As a part of our organization, they contribute to our work in […]
Ask a Lawyer: What is the Gladue report?
Legal Aid Alberta’s Jessica Buffalo appeared on Global News Morning Edmonton to explain the process that goes behind the Gladue report and its impact on the Canadian justice system. An individual’s family, community and personal history can often affect a person’s life and decision-making. For Indigenous people in Canada, there can be a complex […]