One of the biggest draws of law school is becoming empowered to make a positive difference as a lawyer.
Allard Law’s Specialization in Law and Social Justice is one way that students can gain a deeper understanding of the law’s role in the pursuit of social justice.
We spoke with three Allard Law alumni who have made social justice a priority in their work – Mara Selanders, Joey Doyle and Nermin Karim– about their experiences completing the Specialization in Law and Social Justice and how it shaped their careers.
Mara Selanders (JD '2020)
Mara Selanders is the Interim Education Director at Health Justice, a non-profit, charitable organization that uses research, education and advocacy to transform the systems that shape mental health and substance use treatment in BC.
How did you get started doing social justice work? What do you enjoy most about it?
I started my journey while working as a policy lawyer at the BC Civil Liberties Association, one of the legal non-profit organizations in BC. I didn’t know that kind of law job existed before law school, but I learned a lot about it at Allard, especially through classes related to the Specialization in Law and Social Justice.
My work at the BCCLA, and now at Health Justice, is all about translating the law to make it more accessible. What I love about this field is that you can go really deep into how a particular law or policy impacts people and educate others about it or advocate for change. Whenever I talk to law students, I'm vocal about the fact that you could be a policy lawyer too, whether for government or a nonprofit. It's a really rewarding way to engage with the law.
What was the most impactful learning opportunity that you took part in as part of the Specialization in Law and Social Justice?
I was a student at Rise Women's Legal Centre. That definitely shaped the person and the lawyer that I am today.
My favourite thing about Rise is that it's an interdisciplinary clinic that incorporates social work and law, and it works to support the full 360 experience of the people who come there. That helped me see how law is just one piece in a broad range of issues that one human being can be experiencing. It also taught me a lot about meeting people where they're at and connecting with people on a human level, which I think is a big part of the specialization. It teaches you how to be a human and not just a lawyer.
What’s your advice for law students who are considering a career related to social justice?
My advice is to really get to know the communities that are at the heart of the area of law that you're interested in. People are the experts in their own lives, and they know way more than we do as lawyers. I think that's something that law students can really speed past, but that's been the most valuable part of my career.
Joey Doyle (JD '2018)
Joey Doyleis a Vancouver-based lawyer, practicing mainly criminal defence. Doyle is also a founding Steering Committee member of the Law Union of British Columbia, an organization committed to using the law for social change.
How did completing the Specialization in Law and Social Justice influence your career path?
It’s had a big impact. I ended up working for myself, but I wanted to have social justice as the motivator. While at Allard, I learned about the different models of legal practice and that you can practice in ways that fit within that social justice model.
Working for myself, I have a lot of flexibility to choose my cases, and there's a social justice angle to almost to all of the work that I do now, including things like legal aid work as a criminal defence lawyer. Even with private clients, you're dealing with a confrontation between a state that's vastly more well-resourced and often quite oppressive. That's something where you can feel like you're making an impact in people's lives.
This work is something that I was well prepared for. I gained a lot of the knowledge and experience I needed, thanks to this specialization and the community around it.
Why should law students consider completing this specialization?
If I had to give one reason to do it, it's the community. You can find like-minded people who are going to be like-minded lawyers, and you're going to hopefully continue these connections and friendships beyond law school and into your careers – and be able to grow and support each other.
The coursework and the clinics were also very important. I feel like I had a lot of preparation in terms of learning different ways to approach my work.
What advice would you give to students who are considering a career related to social justice?
After law school, I went out on my own right off the bat. People often ask me, “Isn’t that scary?” My advice would be that it's totally doable, and it's actually easier than it seems. There are lots of guides available about how to set up your practice.
In terms of the social justice aspect, if you're working for yourself, you can choose how that makes sense for you. There's no shortage of people out there who, unfortunately, need a lawyer. Criminal defence clients are one type of client, but there's no shortage of people who have human rights complaints or workplace-based complaints, for example.
If you have something that you feel passionate about, you can make it work – or at least give it a good go.
Nermin Karim (JD '2015)
Nermin Karim is the Director of Programs and Operations at the North Shore Restorative Justice Society, a non-profit charitable organization that advocates for and supports restorative responses to crime and conflict.
Tell us about your current work.
At the North Shore Restorative Justice Society, we accept files diverted from the criminal justice system by police. To accept a file the person harmed must want an alternative process to the criminal justice system and the harm doer must accept responsibility for the act that forms the basis of the offence the person is alleged to have committed. The harm doer is offered protection under the Criminal Code, creating an environment for truth-telling, unlike the criminal justice system, which rewards silence.
The North Shore Restorative Justice Society also has an Education Initiative. Our ‘Circles in Schools’ team offers young people the skills to transform conflict, heal relationships and create restorative communities. We are planting seeds to show how conflict can be resolved in community and what creating space for all voices looks like. Some topics we cover include identity, diversity, self-awareness and most recently, gender-based violence. It's a beautiful way for young people to learn how to build relationships and manage conflicts as they go into their adult lives.
How did the Specialization in Law and Social Justice influence your career path?
Like many, I came into law wanting to make a difference. I was already social justice oriented. However, knowing that there was a specialization that you could take certainly helped form that broad foundation you need to have the right perspective going forward. It helped direct the course choices I made – and so many of them drove my passion. When other mandatory courses in law school felt dry or weren't what I was searching for, it was these courses that really kept me motivated. Moreover, I was able to display my social justice specialization on my resume to show where my heart lies.
What would your advice be for law students who are considering a career related to social justice?
Go for it! It’s the most satisfying work ever. However, the work can often also be quite disheartening. Create lots of good self-care routines and supports around you. Build connections with like-minded people who will help you through the tough times.
Remember that every bit counts. Although you may not accomplish your goal, you may have created a path for others. You do what you can and then pass the baton on to the next person. If you think you're going to get there all by yourself, then you're going to be disappointed. Keep that big picture perspective and have long-term goals.
