March 26, 2010

Lifetime of social justice nets Allan Parker a QC

Access Justice Executive Director Allan Parker identifies himself as many things, from a lifelong learner to a Legal Services Society (LSS) "lifer." Now he's got one more thing to add to his collection — a Queen's Counsel.

"For me this has been quite humbling because it means recognition from my peers," he explains.

"Everyone aspires to be recognized in some way, whether it's your spouse saying you've cooked a delicious meal or your colleagues saying you've done commendable work for your profession.

"It encourages you. Both Chris (Maddock — Abbotsford local agent and QC appointee) and I feel as though it's a source of recognition of the work we've both been doing for the past 30 years, and the importance of that work, and our commitment to that work."

Ever since Allan started practising law in the late 1970s, furthering people's access to justice has been one of his passions. He has since worked as a consultant to the Legal Advocate Training Course for the Law Foundation, published countless legal materials, and was awarded an "Honorary Lecturer" designation from Cardiff Law School (University of Wales) as a result of six months' consultation work with the school's legal practice course in 1993.

So what inspires Allan to continually take on more projects?

"I teasingly call myself a child of the '60s. That was when I went to high school and the first part of my post-secondary education, and I got caught up in various social action issues," he explains.

"I also have personal beliefs about social justice and had always wanted to do social justice law, so when I landed at the Legal Services Society (as a staff lawyer in Nanaimo), it meant I landed happily, exactly where I wanted to land, with my first position — and I loved it."

In particular, the idea of developing more pro bono law programs is something Allan holds close to his heart.

"Pro bono services will never be a substitute for properly funded legal aid, but I think there is now a more organized approach to saying there is a pro bono responsibility in the legal profession," he says.

"Realistically there's never going to be enough legal aid, so it's important to get the profession looking at pro bono and taking a bigger part in it."

Allan left LSS in May 2007 to become executive director at Western Canada Society to Access Justice (which will merge with Pro Bono Law of BC on April 1 this year) after the tragic death of well-known pro bono advocate, and Access Justice founder, Dugald Christie.

It was a challenging time — not least because of the legacy left by Dugald Christie — but Allan learned how to "make things work" his own way. And he has continued to learn, finding more ways, such as mediation, that help people with low incomes find resolutions to their legal issues.

"I'm a lifetime learner in the law field and I'm a firm believer in finding alternate ways to solve disputes … which is why I felt it was important to broaden my skill set and develop more mediation skills," he says.

"I really enjoy it because it's very hands-on and it's a very different mind-set you're in when you're trying to come to a solution for both parties, rather than just working on behalf of one. It's another solution for people, which is the most important thing."