Workshop Chairs
Suzette Narbonne — Managing Lawyer, Child and Youth Legal Centre, Society for Children and Youth of BC, Vancouver
Michael Zimmerman — Managing Lawyer (Roster), Child and Youth Legal Centre, Society for Children and Youth of BC, Vancouver
About the Workshop Chairs
Suzette Narbonne was called to the Manitoba bar in 1989 and began her career in The Pas with Legal Aid Manitoba. As counsel, she travelled to isolated First Nations communities, conducting free legal advice clinics and litigating for her clients in criminal and family law cases—often in makeshift courts convened in band offices, recreation centres, and hydro halls.
Since 1995, she has practiced law in BC. Suzette joined the Child and Youth Legal Centre at its inception in 2017, where she is managing lawyer. She has helped to shape the vision of child representation in BC. She has mentored many lawyers through the CBA, has served as a Governor for the Law Foundation of BC, as a Bencher of the Law Society of BC, and as the Chair of the Legal Services Society. Currently, she serves on the executive of the children's law section of the CBABC.
Michael Zimmerman began his legal career in New Brunswick. In 2014, he moved to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, where he oversaw the operations of provincial family justice services and the development and implementation of the Office of the Children's Lawyer Program. Michael also directed the development/amendment of the following statutes: Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, Judicature Act, Maintenance Enforcement Act, Family Law Act, Adoption Act, Child Protection Act, Child and Youth Advocate Act as well as the corresponding reform of impacted policies and programs.
In 2020, Michael moved from Prince Edward Island to Bowen Island. He is a Family Law Lawyer and works as the Managing Lawyer (Roster) with the Child and Youth Legal Centre. Michel is currently the Communications Officer for the CBA Child and Youth Law Section and co-chair of the CBABC Children's Law Section.
Planning Committee
Brandys Evans, RCC — Clinical Director, Boomerang Counselling Centre, North Vancouver
Lauren Irvine — Youth Advocate - BC Representative for Children and Youth, Transform the Family Justice System Collaborative, Youth Voices Initiative, Vancouver
Cheyenne Stonechild — Indigenous Youth Advocate, Burnaby
Coaches
Adrienne Edmunds — Child and Youth Lawyer, Child and Youth Legal Centre, Society for Children and Youth of BC, Vancouver
Brandys Evans, RCC — Clinical Director, Boomerang Counselling Centre, North Vancouver
Alicia S. Hubbard — Child and Youth Lawyer, Child and Youth Legal Centre, Society for Children and Youth of BC, Vancouver
Phyllis M. Kenney, KC (she/her/hers) — Child and Youth Lawyer, Child and Youth Legal Centre, Society for Children and Youth of BC, Vancouver
Suzette Narbonne — Managing Lawyer, Child and Youth Legal Centre, Society for Children and Youth of BC, Vancouver
Michael Zimmerman — Managing Lawyer (Roster), Child and Youth Legal Centre, Society for Children and Youth of BC, Vancouver
Floats
Cheyenne Stonechild — Indigenous Youth Advocate, Burnaby
Estella Swann — North Vancouver
Ashli Swann — North Vancouver
Faculty
Adrienne Edmunds — Child and Youth Lawyer, Child and Youth Legal Centre, Society for Children and Youth of BC, Vancouver
Brandys Evans, RCC — Clinical Director, Boomerang Counselling Centre, North Vancouver
Alicia S. Hubbard — Child and Youth Lawyer, Child and Youth Legal Centre, Society for Children and Youth of BC, Vancouver
Frances Rosner — Barrister & Solicitor, Vancouver
Cheyenne Stonechild — Indigenous Youth Advocate, Burnaby
Estella Swann — North Vancouver
Ashli Swann — North Vancouver
Click here for full faculty bios