Vancouver (Canada) - Fasken Martineau, a leading international business law and litigation firm, is pleased to announce that four of its lawyers have been awarded the Pivot Legal Society Access to Justice Award, which is presented to members of the bar who have shown exceptional dedication to advancing the cause of justice and ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities are heard and respected throughout the litigation process.
Winners are selected based on the expertise, time and resources they have committed to advancing litigation, as well as their understanding of how the law can be used as a tool for social change.
This year David Wotherspoon, Kevin Nakanishi and Maia Tsurumi were selected for their unrelenting dedication to advancing the rights of the homeless in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The litigation includes an allegation that people living on the streets of Abbotsford have been criminalized by municipal bylaws that prohibit homeless people in that city from accessing the most basic necessities of life, including sleeping and sheltering themselves from the elements. Mark Pontin was selected for his significant contribution to protecting the safety of many homeless individuals living in Oppenheimer Park in Vancouver. Mark's assistance in defending these individuals when faced with court proceedings evicting them from Oppenheimer Park materially increased their access to shelter and housing options prior to the dismantling of the encampment.
"I want to congratulate David, Mark, Maia and Kevin as recipients of these well-deserved awards that demonstrate our commitment to providing access to justice and litigation support on a pro bono basis to communities in need and our dedication to human rights organizations like Pivot Legal Society, which help advance social change and the cause of justice," said William Westeringh, Fasken Martineau's Managing Partner of the Vancouver office.
Pivot Legal Society is a leading Canadian human rights organization that uses the law to address the root causes of poverty and social exclusion in Canada. Pivot's work includes challenging laws and policies that force people to the margins of society and keep them there.
| DJ Larkin, Lawyer/Campaigner, Pivot Legal Society presents David Wotherspoon, Partner at Fasken Martineau, with the Access to Justice Award. |
About Fasken Martineau
Fasken Martineau is a leading international business law and litigation firm. With more than 770 lawyers, the firm has offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Québec City, London, Paris and Johannesburg. For additional information, please visit the firm's website at www.fasken.com.
