The Unsung Hero column is intended to introduce a member of our profession who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, innovation, commitment, or made significant contributions to social justice and community affairs.
We are pleased to introduce our Law Matters readers to the Spring Issue’s Unsung Hero: Jessica Buffalo. Jessica is a relatively new member of the Alberta bar, called in 2017, and has already set herself apart in both her professional and volunteer efforts in our community through her passion and commitment to working with Indigenous and marginalized people.
Jessica is a member of the Samson Cree Nation and grew up in both Edmonton, Alberta and Nanaimo, British Columbia. She developed a keen interest in social justice and Indigenous issues from her father, a survivor of the residential school system. She decided to go to law school while completing a radio documentary project related to Indigenous peoples and issues, with a particular episode on missing and murdered Indigenous women, while attending Simon Fraser University. She went on to complete her law degree at the University of British Columbia, with a special focus on Aboriginal law related courses.
Jessica was hired into the unique position reserved for an Indigenous articling student at Calgary Legal Guidance. During her time with CLG, Jessica completed rotations in various areas of law focused on helping marginalized and low-income populations. Most notably, Jessica developed a workshop to teach incoming students and lawyers how to complete Gladue Reports (a key tool in fairly assessing sentencing of Indigenous offenders), so that more offenders have access to this important and underfunded resource. She continues to teach this workshop since completing her articles.
While articling at CLG, Jessica felt that her time practicing in the area of criminal defence was the most direct way to assist Indigenous, low-income, and other marginalized populations. Therefore, after completing her articles at CLG, she chose to practice exclusively as a criminal defence lawyer, currently with the law firm of Kahane Law Office. Jessica represents people charged with a variety of offences and those requiring legal aid funding for her services. Jessica finds particular satisfaction in providing her clients with relief, both in result and emotional support, while representing their interests in criminal proceedings. Her background and educational focus in Indigenous peoples and issues have provided her with a unique perspective and skill set for working with vulnerable and marginalized accused persons.
Alongside her busy criminal defence practice, Jessica serves Indigenous communities in and around Calgary through her volunteer efforts. Along with the CLG workshops she teaches, she volunteers with CLG’s Know Your Rights Program, travelling to reserves to educate Indigenous peoples about their Charter rights. Jessica also volunteers her time at the Aboriginal Friendship Centre offering free legal clinics during regularly scheduled residential school survivors’ feasts. During these clinics, Jessica provides brief legal consultations for attendees in need of advice on a range of legal topics.
In her spare time, Jessica spends time with her partner, Jenna, and their three cats (Henri, Murphy, and Jude). Jessica and Jenna are avid musicians, with Jessica on the guitar and vocals and Jenna on the drums. These days, Jessica and Jenna can be found busily preparing for the arrival of a one and half year-old child, who they are welcoming into their home as kinship caregivers.
We are privileged to count her among us as a member of the bar in Alberta and look forward to her continued growth and contributions as a lawyer and community leader.
Do You Know An Unsung Hero? Tell Us About Them. If you know a lawyer who deserves to be recognized, please send us an email to communications@cba-alberta.org with the lawyer's name and the reasons why you believe they are an "unsung hero". The only formal requirements for nomination are that our "unsung hero" be an Alberta lawyer and a CBA member.
Alexandra Russell is an associate at Lawson Lundell LLP in Calgary, where she practices in the areas of civil litigation and dispute resolution. In addition to her practice, she is also a member of the CBA Alberta Editorial and Agenda for Justice & Advocacy Committees.