Law Practice in Human Rights, National Institutions & Democratic Governance
I am a lawyer in private practice, based in Montreal, focusing mainly on human rights, national institutions and democratic governance.
With more than 25 years’ experience in human rights, public policy and civil society, I have successfully led complex, global and projects on law reform, access to justice and capacity assessment, and worked with in-country missions in eight countries.
Member of the Barreau du Québec, Law Society of Ontario
Country working experience: Canada, China, Ethiopia, Iraq, Rwanda, Tajikistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Timor Leste
Academic: Associate Professor (Professional) Max Bell School of Public Policy. Instructor, Faculty of Law, McGill University.
RightsBlog: Developments in Human Rights
AREAS OF FOCUS AND EXPERIENCE
National Institutions: Establishment and strengthening of national institutions (human rights commissions, ombudsperson institutions, transitional justice institutions, cultural human rights institutions); strategic planning and organizational development; technical assistance; staff and commissioner training; legal reform and statutory drafting; capacity assessment and evaluation; developing and re-engineering complaints systems, public policy capacity and international liaison;
Civil Society: Coalition-building and CSO leadership. Developing a legal framework for supporting an enabling environment for CSOs.
Equality rights: More than 20 years' experience working in and with equality-seeking groups; advising clients through human rights complaints processes. Protection of minority rights, including linguistic rights.
Public interest litigation and social justice advocacy: Public interest litigation and community-based social justice advocacy.
Rule of Law: Sector reform; judicial independence.
Women's rights: Protections against violence against women; community engagement with women's shelters.