Hi, I’m
Mavis Alberta Benson
Vancouver,Canada
Summary
With a proven track record at Legal Aid BC, I excel in family and criminal law, demonstrating unparalleled advocacy for child welfare and legal analysis. My collaborative spirit and crisis support skills have significantly impacted marginalized communities, showcasing my commitment to justice and regulatory compliance.
Overview
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Benson LegalVancouver, British Columbia
Family Law Advocate & Collaboration With Ministry of Children and Families, VACFSS, and CSFS
02.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams—including social workers, legal advisors, and community organizations—to address complex family dynamics, ensuring the rights and safety of children were prioritized.
- Advocated for protecting CLBs' (child) rights throughout the 54.01 application process in court, ensuring fair legal representation and outcomes.
- Advocate for the client to have her court-ordered supervision enforced.
- Advocated for families at risk of child removal by working closely with the Ministry of Children and Families to secure supportive interventions, and prevent family separation.
- Provided emotional and practical support to clients, guiding them through complex legal and bureaucratic processes.
- Advised clients on the best action to take in a legal matter.
- Used meetings to help clients prioritize actions and establish short- and long-term goals.
- Advocated for individual clients at local government meetings, effectively communicating their needs and proposed solutions.
- Provided support services, such as document preparation or investigations, during case preparation.
BC First Nations Justice CouncilVancouver, British Columbia
Researcher
03.2024 - 04.2024
Job overview
- Conducted in-depth research on project models, and developed project materials, processes, and communications to launch new micro-projects within assigned Indigenous Justice Centres (IJC), supporting initiatives to enhance justice in Indigenous communities.
Legal Aid BCVancouver, Canada
Articling Student
12.2022 - 04.2024
Job overview
- I followed my principal, Talia Magder, to her new role as Managing Lawyer of Criminal Law Services at Legal Aid BC.
- Assisted with criminal clients, particularly in matters involving prison and appeal files.
- Participated in Family Duty Counsel rotation: shadowed Family Duty Counsel in Vancouver, assisted with court adjournments, and helped conduct client interviews.
- Engaged in Parents Legal Centre rotation: represented clients in court for adjournments, updated file management systems, and researched new legislation affecting Indigenous clients.
- Participated in the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic rotation, attended criminal court appearances, gained familiarity with Supreme Court criminal procedures, participated in client interviews, and shadowed weekend duty counsel, Mark Gervin.
- Observed courtroom proceedings and strategy meetings to gain practical legal experience.
- Worked independently to meet deadlines and achieve objectives for special projects.
- Participated in client meetings and documented case details and client instructions.
- Participated in client interviews, observed questioning process and documented information.
- Conducted legal research and analysis to draft reports for advocacy tools creation.
T.M. LawVancouver, British Columbia
Articling Student
02.2022 - 12.2022
Job overview
- Company Overview: Vancouver, BC.
- Represented clients in criminal proceedings, including consent releases, contested bail hearings, and procedural matters.
- Conducted client interviews at various stages of criminal proceedings, gathering significant information on mitigating factors, and Gladue information in a trauma-informed manner.
- Successfully negotiated several stays of proceedings for clients with substantial mitigating factors.
- Involved in family law proceedings, I attended court as an agent for procedural matters and assisted with research for both the Supreme Court and Provincial Court files.
- Participated in a collaborative meeting to support a CFCSA client whose children were apprehended.
- Collaborated with opposing lawyers, judges, witnesses, and police to negotiate and resolve case matters.
- I have experience working with clients facing multiple barriers, including poverty, equity-seeking status, and non-English speakers.
- I have always practiced cultural sensitivity, utilizing Truth & Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion knowledge.
- I effectively communicated with clients who faced barriers by applying active listening, nonviolent communication, crisis intervention, and de-escalation techniques.
- Conducted legal research, prepared documents, and handled family law and child protection cases at both the Provincial and Supreme Court levels.
- Conducted legal research using databases such as LexisNexis and Westlaw to support case preparation.
- Participated in client interviews, observed questioning process and documented information.
Native Court Worker & Counselling Association of BCSurrey, Canada
Native Court Worker
11.2016 - 04.2021
Job overview
- Supported Indigenous clients in the Surrey Courthouse's criminal, youth, and family courts.
- Arranged court and legal appointments, and assisted clients with affidavits and legal forms.
- I have used my understanding of Indigenous cultures and traditions to help clients apply for legal aid and navigate the criminal justice system.
- Provided screening and support for clients experiencing family violence.
- Conducting risk assessments and safety planning.
- Developed reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities by attending cultural events and conferences, and raising awareness of available services.
- I have gained deep knowledge of family and child protection law, particularly the impact of family violence.
- Worked with clients affected by trauma, employing a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally sensitive approach.
- Developed expertise in administrative principles, policies, and legislative developments related to Indigenous programs and services.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of legislation relevant to court processes, and partnered with agencies supporting the program.
- I ensured that cultural support was available to all Indigenous clients seeking assistance.
Education
PETER A. ALLARD LAW – UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Juris Doctor
01.2016
LANGARA COLLEGE
Associate of Arts Degree from Aboriginal Studies
01.2011
University Overview
GPA: 3.96
Skills
- Family Law Expertise
- Criminal Law
- Advocacy for Child Welfare
- Thorough Legal Analysis
- Process Documentation
- Collaborative Team Engagement
- Legal Court Procedures
- Regulatory Compliance
- Project Planning
- Public Engagement Strategies
- Crisis support
- Client representation
- Document filing
- Resource management
- Criminal law understanding
- Written communication
- Presentation skills
- Knowledge of federal and state laws
Affiliations
- Teach cultural food preparation, such as making dried salmon (Beh) and moose meat (Ts'ungee)
- Professional Beading - earrings, medallions and regalia
- Running as a way to keep myself fit and energized
- Sewing with my twelve-year-old daughter, who wants to become a designer
Timeline
Researcher
BC First Nations Justice Council
03.2024 - 04.2024
Family Law Advocate & Collaboration With Ministry of Children and Families, VACFSS, and CSFS
Benson Legal
02.2023 - Current
Articling Student
Legal Aid BC
12.2022 - 04.2024
Articling Student
T.M. Law
02.2022 - 12.2022
Native Court Worker
Native Court Worker & Counselling Association of BC
11.2016 - 04.2021
PETER A. ALLARD LAW – UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Juris Doctor
LANGARA COLLEGE
Associate of Arts Degree from Aboriginal Studies
References
- Talia Magder, Lawyer, 604.862.2822, talia@magder.ca
- Kory Wilson, Executive Director Indigenous Initiatives and Chair of First Nations Indigenous Justice Council, 604.307.5478, Kory_Wilson@bcit.ca
- Darryl Shackelly, Executive Director of Native Court Workers & Counseling Association of BC, 604.985.5355, darryl@nccabc.net
- Chief Corrina Leween, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, 1.250.692.0753, cleween@cheslatta.com
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