May 3, 2023
Funded by the Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) Canada, the two-day virtual symposium (June 05 & June 06, 2023) is a learning and networking opportunity for lawyers (CPD credit information forthcoming), family law advocates, and support workers dedicated to increasing access to justice for their clients by working collaboratively.
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.
The symposium will cover multiple topics with some sessions at the same time for specific audience.
Day 1: June 05, 2023
9:30am: Welcome
9:45am: Land acknowledgement by Bonaventure Fabian
10:00am: For Lawyers: A Lawyer’s Introduction to Advocates and Support Workers in Family Law or
Open to Everyone: Effective Referrals to BC Resources
12:30pm: For Lawyers: Furthering Collaboration with Support Workers, or
For Support Workers and Family Law Advocates: Furthering Collaboration with Lawyers
02:30pm: Open to everyone: Services for indigenous clients or
Culture and language sensitive services or
Services for elders or
Services for 2SLGBTQIA+ clients or
Services for clients – Drug use and mental health challenges or
Services for clients with disabilities. (pick two)
Day 2: June 06, 2023
9:30am: Welcome
9:45am: Land acknowledgement by Norm Leech
10:00am: For Everyone: Solicitor-Client Privilege and Support Workers or
For Support Workers or Family Law Advocates: Become a Commissioner of Oaths (pick one)
12:50pm: For everyone: A preliminary report from the VLC on lessons learned respecting geographic differences in access to justice in British Columbia.
SPEAKER BIOS
Marie-Noel Campbell
Called to the Bar in New York State (2011) and in British Columbia (2016), Marie-Noel started her legal career in Canada at a non-profit organization where she launched pro bono programs to represent clients before various tribunals, while also being an active lawyer at their wills clinic. Marie-Noel was later appointed as an adjudicator for the Mental Health Review Board, then opened her law firm focusing primarily on Immigration & Refugee Law and Housing Law. She has been serving older adults in British Columbia along with Seniors First BC’s dedicated team since December 2020.
Bonaventure Fabian
Two-spirit elder/uncle Bonaventure Fabian (he/they/them) is Red River Métis from (Treaty One territory ), living on Squamish. Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories since 1978. Involved in ceremony for nearly 30 years, 20 year Sundancer and pipe carrier. Bonaventure believes we are all gifts as we are, wherever we fit on the spectrum. Warm, welcoming, creative and playful, they have a gift for connecting with people of all genders.
Margarita Tellez Espana
Margarita Tellez Espana is the Manager of the Refugee and Specialized Programs at DIVERSEcity Community Resource Society. At DIVERSEcity, she leads a team that delivers holistic language and cultural specific case management to vulnerable refugees including LGBTQ+ refugees. Through her time as a manager and as the previous Program Coordinator, Margarita has seen the unique struggles of LGBTQ+ refugees and their emerging needs. Margarita is excited to be able to share the struggles and strengths of this population.
Stephanie Van Dyke
My name is Stephanie Van Dyke. I live and work on the unceded and traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh people. I have been a social worker for 10 years and am currently working at Sheway, a program for pregnant and new families impacted by substance use and other social barriers. I am passionate about supporting families and pregnant people in achieving their goals and walking with them in their journeys.
Margery Pazdor
Margery Pazdor (she/her) began her journey as an advocate and ally by representing former residents of an institution for people with disabilities in a class action lawsuit against the province. After some time working as an employment and labour lawyer, she was gratified to return to working on behalf of people with disabilities as a staff lawyer at the Disability Law Clinic at DABC in 2022.
Salina Dewar
Salina Dewar (she/her) is an advocate and assistant at DABC’s Disability Law Clinic. She has worked at DABC for more than 7 years and is passionate about the rights and interests of people with disabilities, including those who also identify as members of other equity-seeking populations. Salina speaks conversational French and loves to sing. She is a non-practicing member of the BC Bar, and is a person with disabilities.
Sarah McCoubrey (speaker profile coming soon)