Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/642579
"I'm experienced at straddling between communities," says Sarah McCoubrey with a smile, when asked how she became an access to justice strategist. Over her career, she has trained and worked as a sculptor, a lawyer, and an educator, and earned her community development credentials as executive director of the Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN). "That allows me to understand what people are really saying," she explains, pointing out that the various players in the justice system in Ontario are increasingly talking together, understanding each other and coming up with system-wide solutions to access to justice problems. McCoubrey stresses that legal professionals can be a big part of these solutions by taking a preventative approach to their clients' legal health. Whether it's opening a business, buying a home, or dealing with more complex and personal problems like mental health issues, family breakdowns or crime – the law is involved. Understanding the legal dimensions to everyday activities allows people to avoid problems or manage them when they arise. McCoubrey says that OJEN and CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario) – Ontario's two organizations dedicated to public legal education – do great work to make the law more understandable. "CLEO explains the law in a way that people can comprehend," she says. "OJEN educates youth and communities about the justice system, so they can understand and engage with it to gain the familiarity that will help them when future legal issues come up." McCoubrey advocates for the justice system to follow a continuum of care model. "If we have a medical issue, we may look for information online, and check in with our doctor or pharmacist, while still having the comfort of knowing that there are specialists available if the problem gets more complicated." "Ultimately, that's how lawyers could be perceived – not just as people who will resolve one legal issue, but as trusted professionals who take the time to identify potential problems before they arise." Whether that means pointing out legal issues or referring someone to quality legal information, like OJEN's or CLEO's resources, lawyers can help to make legal issues less intimidating and easier to act on. Sarah McCoubrey is a Strategist on access to justice issues at CALIBRATESolutions.ca. Sarah McCoubrey FLIP YOUR WIG 7