Behind every program, every activity, and every action carried out at the YWCA of Montreal, there are dedicated volunteers who make a concrete difference in the lives of the women and families we support.
Within the Legal Information Clinic, volunteer lawyers put their expertise at the service of women. Through their listening skills and experience, these professionals help remove barriers to access to justice. This week, we highlight Jillian Levine, whose work is informed by a deep awareness of the unequal family and financial responsibilities many women face, and who recognizes that the cost, complexity of legal procedures, and emotional burden involved can make exercising one’s rights particularly difficult.
Discover her profile.
Please introduce yourself in a few words
I am a family and estate law lawyer with over ten years of experience. I support my clients through situations that are often complex and sensitive, relying on effective strategies and tangible outcomes.
What motivated you to volunteer at the Women’s Y
There is still very little accessible legal education in the areas of family and estate law, even though marriage, children, and death are among the most defining legal events in a person’s life. This lack of information can increase people’s vulnerability, particularly for women. I wanted to help bridge this gap by making legal information more accessible and by offering concrete support.
How does your volunteer work contribute to your professional and or personal life
It gives me a broader perspective on the questions people are truly asking and on the gaps that exist in access to information. I often find myself researching issues that would not necessarily justify a formal consultation with a lawyer, which helps me stay connected to real life realities. Above all, I became a lawyer to serve others, and this volunteer work reconnects me deeply with that original motivation.
What are the main barriers to women’s access to justice that you have observed
Many women shoulder a disproportionate share of financial and family responsibilities, which limits their time, resources, and ability to navigate the legal system effectively. In addition, it is often the partner who is most financially vulnerable who is left to manage legal proceedings. The cost, the complexity of procedures, and the emotional burden involved make exercising one’s rights particularly difficult.
What would you say to someone who is hesitant to volunteer their time at the Y
You begin thinking that you are giving your time, but what you receive in return in terms of perspective, meaning, and human connection is so valuable that it sometimes feels as though you are receiving more than you are giving.