Lyndon Stanzell: From the North, For the North

Staff Defence Lawyer — Northwest Territories Legal Aid Commission

Born in Inuvik and raised in Yellowknife, Lyndon Stanzell is a true Northern lawyer with a deep understanding of the complex social-cultural issues faced by his clients. “The Northwest Territories has the highest per capita numbers of residential school survivors in the country, and I see the impacts of this horrific legacy every day in my work as Duty Counsel.” Fortunately for his clients, Lyndon’s firsthand knowledge of northern communities and the way that a circuit court operates is a significant asset.

In any given month, Lyndon can be found catching planes ranging from a Twin Otter to a 737 which take him to the many circuit points across the NWT: almost all do not have year-round road access. He says that the most essential tools in his toolkit (aside from a really good parka) are preparation and empathy. He seeks to connect with each client on a personal, human level showing genuine interest in who they are, their concerns and their realities.

Having charges before the court is a heavy burden for anyone and Lyndon is mindful of his ability to ease that load. “In every case, the clients deserve to be heard, to understand what is occurring at each stage and to make decisions about their case with a lawyer who cares about them.”

Lyndon also sees his role as including a duty to ensure that the Court sees his clients. Whatever their circumstances, whatever their background, whatever has brought them before the Court, it is important that the Judge know the complex human story of the person before them.

As a northerner himself, Lyndon connects with the deeper questions about how our society is governed and how we can have an impact in improving the lives of all who live here. As a lawyer, he sees the opportunities for the development of his legal skills in an accelerated way because of the small size of the jurisdiction and the complexity of the cases that he handles. He is grateful to use his talents in his own backyard. Lyndon’s compassion, hard work and humility make his clients and colleagues grateful too.