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Marion Overholt, B.A.(Hons.)LL.B., Barrister-at-law
Executive Director
Marion has practiced law in Windsor and Essex County for 38 years. She was a staff lawyer at Legal Assistance of Windsor for many years and has represented clients in public law benefits practice while training law students in the practice of poverty law. She is considered an expert in public benefits law and is often called upon to speak and write about this area of law. Over of the years she has been a board member of numerous community agencies and social justice initiatives including the Downtown Mission, Unemployed Help Centre, Windsor Coalition against Poverty, the Wellcome Centre, the Windsor Social Justice Coalition and Project Ploughshares. She is a past chair of the Provincial Community Legal Clinics Steering Committee on Social Assistance. She has served on a number of United Church committees at both the national and local levels, including a ten year term on United Church Judicial Committee. For ten years Marion was the Social Justice Representative on the Windsor and District Labour Council Executive Board. This is the first time that a labour council anywhere in Canada has had a non-union representative sit on its’ executive. She recently chaired the Ford/CAW local 200 Worker’s Adjustment Committee.
Marion was the recipient of the Law Society of Upper Canada Bicentennial Award of Merit, the 29th Charles E. Brooks Labour Community Service Award, the 2007 recipient of the Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario award for Women Working in Social Activism, Canada 125 Commemorative Medal and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Lilian Bahgat, BSc. JD, Barrister-at-law
Lilian is Review Counsel and has been with CLA since 2015. Prior to joining CLA Lilian worked in private practice primarily on Civil, Employment, Estate and Elder Abuse Litigation. Lilian’s practice always revolved around advocating for the vulnerable members of the community. She holds a certificate in Elder Law from Osgoode Law School. Lilian also conducted research on the topics of battered wife syndrome, patient rights and elder abuse. Lilian is also a regular course instructor at the Elder College and taught as a sessional instructor at St. Clair College for their law clerk program. She currently serves on the Association for Canadian Clinical Legal Education as a board member.
Helen Karpouzos, M.A., LL.B., J.D., Barrister-at-law
Helen Karpouzos is Review Counsel for CLA’s criminal practice area. Helen is a Windsor Law graduate who became passionate about access to justice while working at CLA for all three years during law school. After graduating, Helen practiced as an assistant crown attorney and later as a federal prosecutor, until she started her own criminal defence practice. With a Master of Arts degree in psychology, Helen is particularly interested in social justice issues faced by individuals living with mental health illnesses and/or addictions. Helen currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Essex Law Association and ConnexOntario.
Harpreet Burmy, B.Sc., L.L.B and J.D., Barrister-at-law
Harpreet Burmy is Review Counsel at CLA since 2014. She developed and ran the Family Law Practice Program at CLA from 2014 to 2020. Harpreet is a Windsor Law grad who during law school volunteered at CLA as a caseworker, litigator and group leader. After earning her joint Canadian and US law degrees, Harpreet went on to work in private practice primarily on Family Law, Civil and Estate Litigation. Harpreet has always been passionate about working with Windsor’s vulnerable and marginalized individuals and families in conflict. Harpreet continues to be interested in alternative dispute resolution methods, especially for family law related matters. She also serves on the CLA Advisory Board.
OUR CLA TEAM
SUPPORT STAFF
Jonquil Belanger, Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director, Bookkeeper and Commissioner of Oaths
Jonquil is the administrative assistant, law clerk, bookkeeper and Commissioner of Oaths at CLA. Jonquil became a Certified Law Clerk in 2000 and currently holds an Associate Membership with the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario since 2005. She began her career in law at Clarks Barrister & Solicitors in 2000 as a Corporate Law Clerk specializing in not-for-profit corporations and eventually moving into personal injury, Accident Benefits and civil litigation law with lawyer, Stephen E. Yoker. Jonquil enjoys her role on the team at CLA and looks forward to continuing to serve the community of Windsor-Essex County through her work at CLA.
Maryna Gorge, Law Clerk and Receptionist
Maryna is a recent Paralegal Graduate from St. Clair College, and she is currently in the process of obtaining her P1 License. She enjoys her role at CLA as it offers her the opportunity to serve the community of Windsor-Essex County and low-income individuals and families to ensure they receive fair, equal assistance.
STUDENTS
Homa Aminnejad (2L, Windsor Law)
Homa Aminnejad is a 2L single JD student at the University of Windsor and has been with CLA since the beginning of her law school journey. Her approach to working with clients is in accordance with the words of the stoic philosopher, Seneca the Younger, who once said, “whenever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” Outside of her role at CLA, she is an amateur-astronomer, cyclist, and history enthusiast.
Jackson Brown (3L, Windsor Law)
Alexia Brown (2L, Dual JD, Windsor Law/UDM)
Alexia Brown is entering her second year in the Dual Canada/U.S. JD program. She came into law school with a background in intersectionality and structural violence research. She is particularly interested in advancing transformative justice goals and access to justice in the criminal justice system. She spent her entire first year of law school at Community Legal Aid as a caseworker where she worked diligently to help advocate for clients across multiple areas of law including criminal, employment, wills and estates, and landlord tenant. She aspires to continue to be a resilient advocate for the community and those in need.
Jackson Brown is a 3L student at the University of Windsor who has been working with CLA since the beginning of his second year. Jackson has a particular interest in criminal law and is enjoying developing skills in other areas of law at CLA as well. Outside of CLA you can find Jackson at the beach or playing sports.
Kelly-Anne Johnson (2L, Windsor Law)
Kelly-Anne Johnson is a 2L student in the single JD program at the University of Windsor and has been with CLA since the fall term of her 1L year. Working at CLA has reinforced her passion to serve underserved populations. Kelly-Anne also appreciates the practical experience gained from CLA. From representing a client at Landlord and Tenant Board proceedings, to communicating with opposing counsel and participating in a mock trial, this experience has enabled her to translate foundational skills developed in 1L into legal practice. Outside of CLA, she enjoys reading, travelling and playing soccer.
Talissa Mohamed (3L Dual JD, Windsor Law/UDM)
Talissa Mohamed is a 3L Dual JD student and has been a caseworker at CLA since the beginning of 2022. Talissa feels that CLA has not only been a fantastic learning experience but has also allowed her to better connect with her peers and the Windsor Law community at large. When is not updating her BFs, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, cooking, and exploring new restaurants and breweries.