Julie Lassonde

Julie Lassonde navigates multiple domains with fluency in English and French. As a research lawyer, translator, and performance artist, she brings a unique blend of skills to her work. She's a member of both the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Barreau du Québec. Her career began at Baker and McKenzie LLP, where she articled, demonstrating early on her aptitude for the legal profession.

In 2007, Lassonde's interdisciplinary LL.M. thesis, Performing Law, garnered her the Innovative Electronic Theses and Dissertations Award. Completed at the University of Victoria under the guidance of Rebecca Johnson, Lucy Pullen, and external supervisor Marianne Constable from UC Berkeley, this thesis merged law with performance art and was partially published in The International Journal of the Arts in Society.

For the past five years, Lassonde has run a consultancy focused on gender, sexuality, and broader social justice issues. Between 2008 and 2010, she contributed as a part-time research lawyer at the Law Commission of Ontario, where she spearheaded a family law project. Currently, she dedicates her efforts to establishing Toronto's first Francophone women's shelter, addressing a critical gap in services for Francophone women facing violence.

Julie Lassonde, also known by her pronouns she/they, is a bilingual lawyer and accredited mediator, affiliated with the Law Society of Ontario and the Barreau du Québec. She earned her joint Bachelor of Civil Law and Bachelor of Laws from McGill University and completed a Master of Laws at the University of Victoria, integrating visual arts into her legal studies.

In recent years, Lassonde's focus has centered on social justice, particularly in addressing harassment, discrimination, and violence, including domestic violence. Her expertise extends to training, mediation in diverse environments, and legal work in family law within the public and non-profit sectors.

Since 2022, Lassonde has served as a part-time commissioner at the Canadian Human Rights Commission. From 2018 to 2020, she was a part-time member of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board of Ontario. Her contributions also include active roles on various committees and boards, notably the Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Ontario (AJEFO). Previously, she led a family law research project at the Law Commission of Ontario and managed the construction of Toronto's first Francophone women’s shelter.

Her master’s thesis at the University of Victoria, titled Performing Law, earned her the Innovative Electronic Theses & Dissertations Award. This work uniquely combined law and performance art, showcasing her interdisciplinary approach. Additionally, she received the Law Society of Ontario's Laura Legge Award, which honors significant leadership within the legal profession.

Lassonde's diverse career highlights her ability to intertwine various fields, pushing boundaries and fostering social change. Her ongoing efforts to build supportive environments for marginalized communities exemplify her commitment to justice and advocacy.