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 20 years’ experience in human rights law and public policy, 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 in good standing 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.