On the front lines with the Emergency Protection Order Program
Applying for an EPO can be overwhelming, emotionally charged, and confusing. Legal Aid Alberta reduces barriers and makes the process easier. LAA’s Emergency Protection Order Program (EPOP), offered in Edmonton, Calgary, and Lethbridge, provides EPO claimants with a duty counsel lawyer to represent them in court throughout the EPO application and confirmation process. Because applying for […]
On the front lines with adult criminal duty counsel
“It’s fantastically rewarding work. You’re dealing with people, often at their first court appearance, who are frightened and uncertain and don’t fully understand the situation.” When an accused person attends court before securing a lawyer to represent them, they are usually confused and overwhelmed by our complex and adversarial court system. LAA provides duty […]
Improving access to justice with Early Appearance Assistance, prioritization of calls
Starting July 15, Legal Aid Alberta is making changes that position us at the forefront of legal aid plan innovations while improving access to justice, our services, and the ways LAA supports the efficient administration of justice. During COVID, many self-represented accused could not access the courthouse to speak to duty counsel due to closures of in-person services. In […]
Ask A Lawyer: The Vital Role of Duty Counsel
Legal Aid Alberta lawyer Andrew Holko appears on the July 6, 2021 episode of the Ask A Lawyer segment of the Global Morning Show in Edmonton. Watch: Celebrating duty counsel lawyers across Canada Every day across Canada, duty counsel lawyers provide free legal services to vulnerable and disadvantaged people, providing access to justice and […]
Fleeing LGBTQ2S+ persecution, refugee claimant starts a new life with help from Legal Aid Alberta
Western countries have made a great deal of progress providing equal rights to people identifying as LGBTQ2S+ but in many parts of the world the reverse is true. Diane fled her home country in east Africa, where same-sex relations are punishable by up to life in prison. But the trauma she endured in her […]
Over 300 attend Legal Aid Alberta webinar on Indigenous Courts and restorative justice
Over 300 people gathered online to learn about Indigenous people and the law, in a virtual event hosted by Legal Aid Alberta lawyers and staff whose work focuses on Indigenous Courts and restorative justice. LAA lawyers Grace Auger and Jessica Buffalo and justice navigator Stephen Shirt connected the historic and ongoing injustices against Indigenous […]
Legal Aid Alberta offers free public webinar to bust myths about Indigenous people and the law
There is a common misconception that Indigenous people “get off easy,” and Legal Aid Alberta lawyers want to set the record straight. “Considering the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in our prisons, I can’t imagine where that idea comes from,” said Jessica Buffalo, LAA staff lawyer who works in the Calgary Indigenous Court. She […]
Legal Aid Alberta lawyer takes the lead on LGBTQ2S+ group
Chuck Easton aims to grow membership and support for the Alberta Canadian Bar Association’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community section. A Legal Aid Alberta lawyer has been appointed to lead a Canadian Bar Association section on sexual orientation and gender identity — and is hoping to increase its membership of LGBTQ2S+ and […]
LAA earns two nominations in Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential
The annual survey asks readers to nominate and then cast their votes for the profession’s best and brightest. Voting is open until June 25. At Legal Aid Alberta, our greatest asset is our people. In recognition of their contributions in the field of law, LAA President and CEO Gianpaolo (John) Panusa and staff lawyer Amna […]
Ask A Lawyer: Indigenous Courts and restorative justice
Indigenous Courts ensure fair treatment for Indigenous people in conflict with the law Legal Aid Alberta lawyer Jessica Buffalo appears on the June 1, 2021 episode of the “Ask a Lawyer” segment of the Global Morning Show in Edmonton. Watch: Indigenous Courts and Restorative Justice The discovery of the remains of 215 children […]