Grace Pastine

In the bustling legal landscape of Vancouver, Grace Pastine emerges as a dynamic litigation attorney, steering the pro bono initiatives of her firm across Canada. Her mission? To bridge the gap in legal access for those with scant means, collaborating closely with her firm's pro bono committee to tear down barriers to justice. Through crafting partnerships with non-profits and legal aid organizations, Grace ingeniously marries the firm's vast resources with the pressing legal needs of both local and international communities.

Beginning her legal journey within the realms of litigation and dispute resolution, Grace's career trajectory took a significant turn as she embraced the role of litigation director at a leading civil liberties organization for a decade and a half. Her tenure there was marked by groundbreaking litigation efforts that championed human rights and prompted substantial reforms in areas such as patient rights, police accountability, and the treatment of incarcerated individuals.

A seasoned advocate for human rights, Grace has lent her voice to parliamentary hearings and has defended clients across various levels of the British Columbian courts, including the apex court of Canada, showcasing her unwavering commitment to justice.

Grace's academic credentials are equally impressive, holding a JD from the University of Washington School of Law and a BA, summa cum laude, from Wells College, evidencing her scholarly excellence and legal prowess.

Since her admission to the bar in British Columbia and Oregon, Grace has left an indelible mark on public interest law. Her notable cases include a landmark constitutional challenge that revolutionized medical assistance in dying (MAID) laws in Canada, allowing those suffering intolerably to choose death with dignity. Her relentless pursuit of justice also led to the condemnation of indefinite solitary confinement in federal prisons, culminating in a significant settlement for a woman subjected to this inhumane practice for years.

Grace's advocacy extended to representing individuals with debilitating conditions in their fight for equitable access to MAID, beyond the confines of terminal illness. Her advisory role to various public interest groups and her participation in Supreme Court interventions underline her dedication to civil liberties.

Her legal acumen was also evident in actions against unwarranted surveillance by government agencies and in her advocacy for accountability in police practices, contributing to the establishment of a civilian-led model for investigating police misconduct in British Columbia.

Through her multifaceted legal endeavors, Grace Pastine not only shapes the landscape of pro bono legal practice in Canada but also stands as a formidable advocate for justice, human rights, and civil liberties.