Staff

Alison Sawyer, Pro Bono Lawyer

Alison Sawyer was called to the bar in Ontario in 1977 and in BC in 1982. She was the Director of Training for the Legal Services Society from 1982 to 1986, and a staff lawyer for the Vancouver intake office of the Legal Services Society from 1987 to 1991. From 1991 to 1999, she ran a private practice specializing in family law and immigration issues. She has had considerable experience in public legal education. She is the author of Divorce Guide for Canada, and If You Love Me, Put it in Writing, both published by Self-Counsel Press. She has also completed a Wills manual for the Department of Indian affairs in 2008.

Alison came to the Sunshine Coast in 2004, volunteered with the Women's Centre for about a year and a half and then opened her own law practice in Gibson's in the fall of 2006. Her private practice is not specialized except that she believes in providing low-cost service on provincial court matters which include family, criminal and small claims cases. She also does uncontested divorces, wrongful dismissal wills, estates, and helps people with incapacity and disability issues. She has been providing free legal advice through the pro bon clinic since 2006.

Ann Burns, Counsellor

Annie is thrilled to be in the position of Community Resource Counsellor with the CRC. She will be offering a broad range of services to the community. She has recently returned to the Coast after living and working in New Zealand for 10 years. Annie has been a local resident for most of her life and enjoys her career as a counsellor and educator. She has a Masters degree in Applied Behavioural Science from Bastyr University in Seattle, specializing in Systemic Counselling.

Annie has a broad range of experiences in her career, having had positions in family therapy, mental health, working with seniors, small business consultant and owner, student counsellor at a community college and in private practice. In these roles, she frequently assisted clients by referring them to community and support services.

Annie’s philosophy in her work is to help people build their strengths and find solutions to their problems, empowering them to live the lives they dream of. She believes people can bring positive change to their lives and she facilitates this through teaching life skills, accessing resources in the community. She teaches stress reduction skills using mindfulness and relaxation exercises. A safe, respectful and supportive relationship is built through listening, accepting and helping people to find solutions that are suited to them.

Challenges she has helped people with include:

Annie can be reached at 604-885-4088 or by using the contact form below to set up an appointment or to answer any questions.

Contact Ann by email

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