Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/642579
In July 2015, Christien Levien launched Legalswipe, an app informing people of their legal rights in encounters with police. In its first week, the app crashed: it couldn't meet the demand for downloads. Levien saw the need to create a free, easy-to-use, easy-to-understand resource explaining to people what their legal rights are. Levien, now a lawyer, was assaulted by police when in university. Like many others, he found the legal system confusing to navigate. He created Legalswipe to help others in the same situation: "I felt that it was incumbent upon me to use my legal education to help support others in understanding their legal rights." Levien is skilled in software development and wrote the initial prototype for Legalswipe himself. "I always felt the need to understand computers," he says. "I think we're living in a computer age. We need to find ways to engage our public that are going to appeal to this computer generation." Levien hopes to expand Legalswipe to cover family law, as well as landlord and tenant law. He also plans to make the app available in different languages, as those not fluent in English or French are particularly disadvantaged when dealing with the Canadian legal system. He also wants to cover law in other countries. This would enable Canadians to educate themselves on their rights while in other countries, and what to do if their rights are violated. Levien also sees a use for Legalswipe in school classrooms. "My dream is to see this application as part of the curriculum," he says. He took law classes while in high school in Brampton, and felt that while they provided a broad understanding of law and the Constitution, it would be hard for students to put those lessons into practice when faced with a tough situation. "I am from a community where many people have first-hand experience with police assault and brutality," says Levien. "I was fortunate to have received a legal education and can now use my platform and experience to advocate for those who lack the resources to defend themselves." Christien Levien 10 FLIP YOUR WIG