Laura Snowdon Email & Phone Number

Toronto, On, Ca

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I am currently leading the Law Commission of Ontario’s Improving Protection Orders project. We are examining why protection orders are not effectively preventing intimate partner and family violence, and making recommendations for law reform.The project is considering family, child protection, criminal, civil, Indigenous and Aboriginal law protection orders, including restraining orders under the FLA, CLRA, and CYFSA, as well as peace bonds, bail conditions, and sentencing orders. We… Show more I am currently leading the Law Commission of Ontario’s Improving Protection Orders project. We are examining why protection orders are not effectively preventing intimate partner and family violence, and making recommendations for law reform.The project is considering family, child protection, criminal, civil, Indigenous and Aboriginal law protection orders, including restraining orders under the FLA, CLRA, and CYFSA, as well as peace bonds, bail conditions, and sentencing orders. We are exploring ways to strengthen legislation, access, and enforcement of protection orders to better protect women and gender-diverse survivors of gender-based violence. Show less

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Practised civil litigation for claims relating to gender-based violence, including sexual, physical, and psychological harms.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Counsel to the Mass Casualty Commission, a joint federal/provincial public inquiry created to examine the April 18-19, 2020 mass casualty in Nova Scotia and to provide recommendations to make communities safer.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Advanced a class action for former Canadian artistic swimmers alleging psychological abuse, neglect, and sexual and racial harassment by coaches.

New York, United States

Practised international humanitarian law with the ICRC Delegation to the United Nations in New York. Engaged in diplomatic negotiations of two resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2020: "Women and girls and the response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)" (A/RES/75/157), and "Strengthening national and international rapid response to the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on women and girls" (A/RES/75/156).

New York, United States

Worked on federal litigation challenging restrictive abortion policies in the United States.

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Clerked for Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Clerked for Chief Justice George Strathy, Justice Eileen Gillese, and Justice David Watt.

Geneva, Switzerland

Promoted policy development and provided technical advisory services on child labour, forced labour, non-discrimination and freedom of association.

London, Ontario, Canada

Researched recent developments in Canadian human rights and equality law, as well as the legal responses to gendered violence.Contributed research assistance to the following publication:Randall, Melanie, Koshan, Jennifer, and Nyaundi, Patricia, eds., "The Right to Say No: Marital Rape and Law Reform in Canada, Ghana, Kenya and Malawi" (Hart Publishing: Oxford, UK, 2017).

Accra, Ghana

Supported the CDD-Ghana's mission to ensure a free, peaceful, and well-governed democracy in Ghana and across Africa.

Master Of Laws - Llm, International Law And Legal Studies

Activities and Societies • Advanced Reproductive Justice Clinic

Exchange Term, International Human Rights Law

J.D.

Activities and Societies • International Law Association • Gender and the Law Association • Canadian Lawyers Abroad

B.Sc.H, Biochemistry

Activities and Societies • Queen's Synchronized Swimming Team • Biochemistry Student Council • Women in Science and Engineering • Varsity.