Stephanie Dickson

Biography

Stephanie Dickson is a passionate social justice lawyer who advocates for the rights of people with disabilities.  She has years of experience working on disability and poverty-related legal issues. Stephanie joined PooranLaw in August 2019 to spearhead our specialized legal services in southwestern Ontario.  Her practice will include:  Wills, Trusts, Estates, Human Rights, Consent, Capacity and Legal Decision Making, Social Benefits, Disability Tax Appeals, Microboards and Not-for-Profit/Charitable Corporate Governance.

Prior to joining PooranLaw, Stephanie worked as a staff lawyer in community legal clinics in London and Windsor.  For several years, Stephanie has advocated for the rights of low-income clients in a variety of legal matters, including social assistance, human rights, criminal injuries compensation, Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance appeals and housing issues.  An important part of her work has also been to engage in law reform, systemic advocacy and community development. More recently, she developed The I Decide Project at Legal Assistance of Windsor, where she helped vulnerable populations to advocate for their decision-making rights and to stay safe from all forms of abuse, up to and including human trafficking.

Stephanie has also worked as a triage lawyer for Pro Bono Ontario’s Medical-Legal Partnership with Children’s Hospital – LHSC.  In that role, she helped families to identify and resolve legal problems impacting a child’s health or the family’s ability to care for their child. She advised families on a variety of legal issues, including employment matters, access to public and private benefits and estate planning.  Stephanie began her legal career in Class Actions at a law firm in London, Ontario, where she practiced for nearly four years.

Stephanie has a particular interest in travel, languages and cultures.  She is able to serve her clients in both English and French.

Community involvement and advocacy work

• Co-Chair, Steering Committee for the As Safe As Possible anti-human trafficking initiative through Community Living Essex County, (2018 – present)
• Coach, Social Paediatrics Program, Children’s Hospital – LHSC (2017 – present)

Awards

• Community Living Windsor’s Community Service Award, in recognition of her work in promoting an inclusive society for people who have an intellectual disability, (2019).

Publications

• Brendon Pooran, Stephanie Dickson and Saquiba Rahman. “Guardianship as a Last Resort,” Estates, Trusts & Pensions Journal (2021), 40 E.T.P.J. 239.