NSRLP welcomes another Access to Justice All-Star, Michael Marin!
Michael is the Dean and an Associate Professor at the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law. Before moving to New Brunswick, Michael taught at the University of Ottawa for four years and was the founding Academic Director of the Business Law Clinic. Before entering academia, Michael clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada for the Hon. Ian Binnie.
He is actively involved in the pursuit of access to justice through his legal career. In New Brunswick, he serves on the Atlantic Regional Committee of the Supreme Court Advocacy Institute, the Council of the Law Society of New Brunswick, and the Council of the Canadian Bar Association New Brunswick Branch.
Michael’s clinical initiatives have gained recognition for their commitment to promoting access to justice. At the University of Ottawa, he founded the Business Law Clinic that partners with corporate law firms to provide legal advice to low-income and new Canadians regarding the legal procedures for starting a small business. Often, Canadian immigrants do not have the same access to the labour market due to educational credential inconsistencies and language barriers. Thus, one of the only ways to earn a living is to start a business. The Business Law Clinic provides the basic livelihood for Canadians in this category.
What Michael says about the uOttawa Business Law Clinic:
“Addressing the issue of access to justice, we generally focus on criminal law, family law, housing, etc. However, we don’t always think about the other critical areas of law that access to justice extends to, such as business law.”
Michael is currently starting another clinical initiative at the University of New Brunswick. Hoping to begin in September 2022, the UNB Legal Clinic will provide legal services regarding housing, employment, immigration, criminal defences that some individuals do not have sufficient access to. Currently, New Brunswick faces significant challenges and a lack of resources to address access to justice. Therefore, this legal clinic will make a standing impact within the community.
What Michael says about the UNB Legal Clinic:
“By tapping into the energy and enthusiasm of law students who want to learn and acquire legal skills, we can address this societal challenge in a cost-efficient way. In terms of clinical legal education, it is an opportunity that enriches students, the law school, society, and the people who would not otherwise have the legal assistance they require.”
Michael continues to inspire the legal society with his advocacy. Congratulations Michael! Thank you for being an A2J All-Star!