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Meet Our Team

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Krystal-Anne Roussel, BA, JD

Co-Director and Counsel

Krystal is head of AEL Advocacy's environmental law division. She is a lifelong advocate for animal and environmental justice. 

Krystal has a Bachelor of Arts from St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law in June 2020. While completing her studies, Krystal took part in the uOttawa-Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic and worked as a legal intern with East Coast Environmental Law, Animal Justice, and the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick. Krystal completed her articles with the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA), and practiced with CELA as a lawyer prior to starting AEL Advocacy.

Outside of her work, Krystal is an active human and animal rights advocate. She is a member of Lawyers for Climate Justice, a multi-disciplinary group of lawyers and law students from across Canada focused on advancing climate justice within the Canadian legal profession; an advisor for The Canadian Law Review; and the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Miramichi River Co., a lifestyle and apparel company that donates a portion of all profits to Canadian charities.

Krystal lives in Ottawa, Ontario with her partner and two cats Simba and Bagheera.

 

Credentials

  • Law Society of Ontario, 2021

  • Juris Doctor, University of Ottawa, 2020 (Cum Laude)

  • Bachelor of Arts, St. Thomas University, 2016 (With Distinction)

  • Certificate in Humane Education & Advanced Animal Legal Issues, Thompson Rivers University, 2016

Email: krystal@aeladvocacy.ca

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Kira Berkeley, BFA, JD

Co-Director and Counsel

Kira is head of AEL Advocacy's animal law division.

 

Kira has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music from York University in Toronto and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law in June 2020. While completing her studies, Kira served as an executive member of uOttawa’s Animal Justice Association and worked as an animal law legal intern at Animal Justice, Breder Law (Vancouver) and Gartner & Associates Animal Law (Toronto). Kira completed her articles and was an associate lawyer  at OLLIP Professional Corporation, handling matters before the Trademarks Opposition Board, Federal Court, and Federal Court of Appeal. Throughout her articling and associate roles, Kira handled pro-bono cases to help those in need gain access to justice. 

 

Outside of her work, Kira plays piano, holds a black-belt in Wado-Kai Karate, and is an active member of the Latin social dance community. While Kira’s diverse prior legal experience includes trademark and copyright law, as well as working as a real estate law clerk for 5 years, her true passion has always been in animal and environmental advocacy. Kira’s wide variety of activities and legal experience provide unique perspectives to any task at hand.

 

Kira lives in Ottawa, Ontario with her rescue cat, Honey.

 

Credentials

  • Law Society of Ontario, 2021

  • Juris Doctor, University of Ottawa, 2020 (Cum Laude)

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts, York University, 2017 (Summa Cum Laude)

  • Indigenous Canada Certificate, University of Alberta, 2021

Email: kira@aeladvocacy.ca

Our Volunteers

​AEL Advocacy has a wonderful team of passionate volunteers working behind the scenes, including:

  • Richelle Martin, JD (Board of Directors)

  • Russell Berkeley, BSc (Tech Support)

  • Joseph Kim, CPA, CA (Treasurer)

  • Olena Stevenson, CPA, CMA (Bookkeeper)

  • Tyler Hodgkinson (Director of Marketing)

  • Shannon Nickerson, BJourn (Photographer/Videographer)

  • Amanda St-Amour (Assistant/Law Clerk)

  • Emma Peckham, BA (Social Media Coordinator; Communications)

  • Elle Côté, BJourn (Communications)

  • Kirsten Marsh, JD (Lawyer)

  • Anne Deck, JD (Grant Writer)

Opportunities

AEL Advocacy is seeking volunteers for the role of: 

For more information on this role, please e-mail admin@aeladvocacy.ca

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