Suzette Narbonne, Lawyer
Curriculum vitæ
Professional Memberships and Activities
- Society for Children and Youth of BC Lawyer, October 2017 - present
- Provincial Council, Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch), May 2014 - 2019
- Chair, Legal Services Society, 2015 to 2017, Vice-Chair 2013 - 2015
- Mentor, Women Lawyers Forum, Canadian Bar Association (BC) 2012 to 2019
- Director, Legal Services Society, May 2011 to 2017
- Bencher of the Law Society of British Columbia, September 2009 to December 2011
- Governor of the Law Foundation of British Columbia, November 2003 to December 2009
- Tribunal Member, Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal, 2003 to 2009
- Member of Association of Legal Aid Lawyers
- Member of the Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch)
Education
BA (Hons) University of Winnipeg, 1985
LLB University of Ottawa, 1988
Admitted to Manitoba Bar, June 1989
Admitted to British Columbia Bar, May 1995
Biography
Suzette Narbonne was called to the Manitoba bar in 1989 and began her career in The Pas with Legal Aid Manitoba.
As counsel she travelled to isolated First Nations communities, conducting free legal advice clinics and litigating for her clients in criminal and family law cases-- often in makeshift courts convened in band offices, recreation centres and hydro halls. Since 1995, she has practiced law in BC.
Suzette joined the Society for Children and Youth of BC at its inception in 2017, where she is managing lawyer, and has helped to shape the vision of child representation in BC.
She has mentored many lawyers through the Canadian Bar Association, has served as a Governor for the Law Foundation of BC, as a Bencher of the Law Society of BC and as the Chair of the Legal Services Society.
Awards & Honours:
2021 The Canadian Bar Association British Columbia Branch: Innovation Award
This award recognizes innovation in rethinking the model of legal services, challenging societal, institutional or historical barriers, and serving the bar.
The Society for Children & Youth of BC has created an innovative child-centred program that delivers much-improved access to legal services for children and youth. The Society’s Child & Youth Legal Centre is modelled with a mission to support the well-being of the child.
Award Criteria
The Innovation Award recognizes lawyers, law firms or organizations who demonstrate leadership in promoting workplace innovation within the practice of law. The award recognizes innovation and creative thinking by CBA members that break new ground for other lawyers to follow by exhibiting courage and leadership. This award is about lawyers who think outside the box and show us what is possible.
2017 Provincial investments in justice keep families together, assist with everyday legal issues
MARCH 29, 2017
VICTORIA: The British Columbia government is investing more than $16 million to support collaborative solutions for resolving child protection cases, enhance assistance with family and civil law issues, and improve access to justice.
One of these important investments expands the Legal Services Society’s successful Parents Legal Centre from Vancouver to Surrey. Another will add a full-service Justice Access Centre (JAC) to the Surrey Courthouse in 2018.
The Legal Services Society will receive $8.4 million in new funding over three years for the Parents Legal Centre, which helps families resolve child protection issues earlier and collaboratively.
In addition, Budget 2017 adds $6 million over three years to continue pilot projects operated by the Legal Services Society for low-income British Columbians who need assistance with justice issues. Initial evaluations showed the pilots – the Expanded Criminal Duty Counsel in Port Coquitlam, the Expanded Family Duty Counsel in Victoria, the Parents Legal Centre in Vancouver, and the expanded Family LawLINE, accessible throughout the province – promise faster, better outcomes for the 6,000 participants who accessed these services last year.
The Province is adding nearly $2 million to transform the Surrey Family Justice Centre into a Justice Access Centre to increase service to clients with family and civil law disputes. Justice Access Centres offer individuals and families a range of information and services designed to find early, affordable solutions to legal issues and assist self-represented litigants.
Work will begin on the renovation later this year with the Surrey JAC expected to open in 2018. Services provided by the Surrey Family Justice Centre will not be disrupted during renovations.
Quotes:
Suzanne Anton, Attorney General and Minister of Justice –
“Our government is transforming justice services to improve access to justice for low-income British Columbians. The Parents Legal Centre builds on the recommendations of Grand Chief Ed John, and its expansion to Surrey will reach even more families facing child protection issues and help more Indigenous families stay together. I’m impressed with the work of the Legal Services Society and its efforts increase access to justice in our province.”
Suzette Narbonne, board chair, Legal Services Society –
“I’m delighted that the Province continues to support the Legal Services Society’s justice transformation projects — they’re helping low-income British Columbians find timely and effective resolutions to their legal problems. The society has a range of legal aid services that support people with out-of-court solutions as much as possible, but when it’s necessary, by providing a lawyer’s help to go to court. We look forward to continuing to work with our justice system partners to improve access to justice in B.C.”
Missing Women Commission of Inquiry Announces Appointment of Independent Counsel presenting issues related to Aboriginal Interest
March 21, 2012
(Information attributable to Mr. Art Vertlieb, Q.C., Commission Counsel)
Commissioner Wally Oppal has appointed lawyers Suzette Narbonne and Elizabeth Hunt as Independent Co-Counsel to present issues related to Aboriginal interests. Commissioner Oppal believes that this role is crucial to ensure that Aboriginal interests are presented at the Inquiry.
Both Ms. Narbonne and Ms. Hunt are respected, experienced legal professionals. Commissioner Oppal has every confidence in each lawyer’s ability.
Suzette Narbonne Elected Bencher for Prince Rupert
September 2009
"Suzette Narbonne is the new Bencher for Prince Rupert County for the remainder of 2009. On September 3 Narbonne received a majority of votes cast by Prince Rupert County lawyers in the first round of a preferential ballot by-election. The by-election was required to replace Robert Punnett, QC, who was appointed to the Bench on June 19. For a breakdown of the by-election results, see 2009 Prince Rupert by-election.
Called to the Manitoba Bar in 1989, Narbonne was employed as a staff lawyer with Legal Aid Manitoba until her move to Prince Rupert in 1995, when she was called to the BC Bar. Since that time she has practised as a sole practitioner, primarily in the fields of criminal law, family law and human rights. She has served as a governor of the Law Foundation for the past six years.
In the community, Narbonne is actively involved with the Rupert Runners and with other non-profit organizations, and was recognized for that service by the BC Branch of the CBA in 2008.
The Law Society congratulates Suzette Narbonne, and expresses its appreciation to all the candidates for their participation in this by-election."
http://www.lawsociety.bc.ca 2009
Canadian Bar Association Honours Exceptional BC Lawyers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 25, 2008
VANCOUVER – Whether they’re improving the status of historically marginalized communities, supporting access to justice for the poor, or tirelessly volunteering for charitable organizations, lawyers are making a difference across BC. The Canadian Bar Association BC Branch (CBABC) recognizes the many unsung heroes in the legal profession who are quietly improving communities, and proudly congratulates the nominated recipients of the following awards:
Community Service Award
– the highest honour provided by the CBABC in recognition of community involvement and contributions outside of the practice of law.
Suzette Narbonne, Narbonne Law Office, Prince Rupert
Recipient Suzette Narbonne is recognized for devoting herself to promotion of physical fitness in her community. An accomplished marathon runner in her own right, Ms. Narbonne is lauded by her nominators as “a positive role model to others in the community and is relentless in her efforts to encourage and facilitate 'running' in her County.”
Ms. Narbonne is a sole practitioner in Prince Rupert, where, in addition to practicing criminal law and human rights law, she provides assistance to community groups in the understanding of human rights legislation and tribunals, employment rights and gender issues.
An avid runner, Suzette has completed 24 marathons, including finishing six times in Boston.
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