Michelle (they/them) joined Ecojustice in October 2023 as an Articling Student working between the Toronto and Ottawa offices. Michelle graduated magna cum laude from the English Common Law Program at the University of Ottawa in the same year and received the Dean’s Award for their academic achievement and leadership demonstrated through two terms as the law student society president and OUTLaw president.
Michelle is a licensed professional engineer (P.Eng) in Ontario. Prior to going to law school as a mature student, they worked for various national and international engineering firms while completing their Master’s at the University of Waterloo, where they also obtained their undergraduate degree in civil engineering. Their Master’s research involved extensive field work in Yellowknife, NWT to examine the impact of climate change on the permafrost-related deteriorations observed in Northern transportation infrastructure.
In addition to completing their articles at Ecojustice, Michelle is continuing their work as a researcher/PhD candidate, EDI speaker/trainer/consultant, board member of the Ontario engineering regulator, and various other volunteer service roles. Across all their undertakings, Michelle is focused on using their lived experiences and subject matter expertise to advance social and environmental justice.
Michelle is a settler living and working on the traditional and sacred territory of Algonquin peoples.