Ask A Lawyer: Preparation is the best defence when heading to a trial

Legal Aid Alberta’s experienced lawyers break down the work and planning necessary for a proper defence. Courtroom dramas on TV or in the movies don’t tell the full story. In real life, there is an incredible amount of research and planning required for a lawyer to defend someone in a trial. Legal Aid Alberta […]
Ask a Lawyer: Family Violence Prevention

Legal Aid Alberta staff lawyers Jessica Chapman and Ruth Williams join Global News Morning Edmonton to shed light on family violence, the overlaps for those in immigration matters and the supports available. November is Family Violence Prevention Month. It can happen to anyone, and it’s important to work together to spread awareness, educate and […]
Ask a Lawyer: National Duty Counsel Day can be a powerful tool for those heading to court

Legal Aid Alberta staff lawyer Sean Smith shares the significance of knowing your rights and the crucial role of duty counsel in Canada Stepping into a courtroom can feel like entering a whole new world, filled with unfamiliar language and uncertainty. Whether you’re facing a criminal charge, dealing with a family issue, or […]
A stress-free summer for kids and co-parents: How to co-parent during summer breaks and holidays

Legal Aid Alberta staff lawyer Sunaina Kakkar shares four tips for co-parents on how to navigate the summer months and vacations There’s still a month left of summer break for many families across Alberta, and for divorced or separated parents, making summer plans for the kids isn’t always an easy feat. Between vacations, […]
Tackling the cycle of addiction and crime

Legal Aid Alberta is playing an important role in Alberta’s therapeutic courts, supporting fairness in the criminal justice system Drug treatment courts across Alberta are literally saving lives, according to the LAA staff duty counsel lawyers who represent their clients through the therapeutic court – and to the clients themselves. “I was entrenched […]
Ask a Lawyer: Healing and peacemaking at Edmonton Indigenous Court

Edmonton’s Indigenous court is an opportunity for healing, peacemaking and community support for Indigenous people in the justice system. Edmonton’s Indigenous court is distinct from your typical docket court – aside from the accused, defence counsel, prosecutor and judge, this court process also involves an Elder, a caseworker, an eagle staff and even a […]
Family Day is different for everyone: Legal Aid Alberta’s recommendations for those going through family breakup

LAA family lawyer shares top five tips for navigating separation and divorce Family Day is usually a time of togetherness. It’s a time for celebrating families from all walks of life. If you look around, no two families are the same. Each unit comes with their own unique set of circumstances – […]
Legal Aid Alberta honours 51 long serving employees

LAA celebrates team members who have dedicated their careers to delivering access to justice for disadvantaged Albertans The year is 2017. Unicorn food has taken over the food industry, Luis Fonsi’s Despacito is the top song in Canada and Legal Aid Alberta welcomed 28 new faces, including Family Lawyer Jessica Chapman. Five years later, the […]