S.M. Hare Law Office
This summer, as a result of the Aboriginal Law Fellowship I received, I had the opportunity to work with sole practitioner, Susan Hare (S.M. Hare Law Office), in M'Chigeeng, on Manitoulin Island in Ontario. I have drafted pleadings, organized continuing records, and learned about the procedures and timing involved in case management. I have also been gathering documents to prepare for a criminal trial. I have continued to refine the Gladue template, specific to the community of M'Chigeeng, that I have been working on in between other day-to-day tasks. I have also created a written and slideshow presentation on the Duty to Report under the Child and Family Services Act to be presented to Ontario Works employees in Wikwemikong First Nation. This work is part of a series of First Nations community legal clinics that are delivered by Susan Hare through Legal Aid Ontario.
One of the best things about working for a sole practitioner (other than being able to bring my dog to work) is the autonomy and the breadth of work I am exposed to. Susan occasionally takes pro bono family work so that I can take on these cases myself. I am also in charge of a divorce case, which is a great opportunity because this is an area of law that I never get the chance to work on in a volunteer capacity. All of our work, regardless of the area of law, is for Aboriginal clients, and I appreciate that working directly on Aboriginal issues is a rare opportunity. I can see that there is a significant gap between academic perspectives and the reality of practicing law for First Nations clients.
Another aspect of the work revolves around the fact that this practice is located in a rural area, as with most practices that deal with First Nations issues. This presents challenges because there is a lack of lawyers in the area. With only four lawyers who work on family and criminal matters on the entire island, there can be conflicts of interest. There is also a great deal of travel involved with the work. Since I have been here, Susan has had to travel to places such as Thunder Bay, North Bay, Toronto and Sault Ste Marie.
I can't say enough good things about my experience working for Susan Hare. I have been given the chance to be challenged and to learn practical skills. Because of my work this summer, I feel that I am closer to be achieving my goal of opening a practice soon after articling. I have also been able to take advantage of the activities that are available on Manitoulin Island such as swimming, hiking on the Niagara Escarpment, attending pow-wows, and spending time with my family, most of whom reside on the Island.
