Stories

Shayne Robinson: Family Duty Counsel – British Columbia

October 15, 2026

Shayne Robinson articled under Tony Prkacin at PGS Law in 2010 and immediately loved working within legal aid.

Justice for All: Malvin Harding and the Front Lines of Immigration Duty Counsel

October 15, 2026

With more than 36 years of legal experience, Malvin is a respected and enduring figure in Canadian immigration law.

Julie Déziel

October 15, 2026

Julie Déziel was admitted to the Barreau du Québec in 2010, where she practiced as an immigration and criminal lawyer.

Bobbi Jo Hennigar: On the frontlines of the justice system

October 14, 2026

Legal Aid Alberta’s Bobbi Jo Hennigar describes her role as a duty counsel as the legal equivalent of an emergency room doctor.

David Paull, K.C: Standing up for clients in rural Alberta

October 14, 2026

When David Paull, KC, joined Legal Aid Alberta (LAA) as a staff duty counsel in 2012, he was already 27 years into an accomplished law career that saw him practise largely as a sole practitioner in criminal law in Edmonton and the surrounding area.

Julia McGraw: Helping families navigate difficult days

October 14, 2026

For Julia McGraw, family law is about helping people navigate some of the most stressful and emotional moments of their lives.

“The responsibility that comes along with being a criminal defence lawyer is the most fulfilling work in law. It is intense and can be gritty. If I can assist a client in asserting their rights and help achieve a fair day in court, I have done a meaningful thing. There is nothing more exhilarating than that. There is a lot at stake, but it is so rewarding.”

“A lot of people feel very alone in the justice system. We’re there to help them navigate the system and figure out release plans and next steps. We’re on their side.”

“I think it’s important to recognize that most people who come into contact with the justice system are vulnerable and often marginalized. They’re struggling with addiction, poverty, homelessness and are often victims themselves. I believe that all individuals deserve our help.”

"Your endless support for clients across Canada has been the difference between my clients surviving or not. Their ex-spouses lock the finances so they have no access to pay a law firm. I was one of them myself. I came to duty counsel for support."

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