Committed to promoting sound administration of justice since 1974, CIAJ prides itself on supporting the legal community at all levels. CIAJ would like to warmly thank its board members for sharing their skills and working to improve the justice system with heart and wisdom for the benefit of society as a whole. CIAJ’s actions and programs would not be possible without the dedication of these outstanding professionals.

What does CIAJ mean to you?

CIAJ has provided me with an opportunity to learn, to share my perspectives from an Indigenous lens and also to develop many new relationships.

How long have you been a member of the CIAJ board of directors?

I was elected to the board in November 2021.

What is the most important event you have participated in with CIAJ?

Everything I have participated in with CIAJ has been important to me as every time I have participated in a CIAJ event, I have been able to give a voice to Indigenous legal issues and I have felt a genuine interest in the perspectives I raise.

Why is it important for you to be active and involved outside your job?

I have volunteered my time to try to improve the lives of Indigenous people and increase their access to Justice. It has been my experience as an Indigenous lawyer that the perspective of Indigenous people is often missing or completely misunderstood. I have been lucky to have the experiences and opportunities I have had, and I feel an obligation to give back to my community by providing education sessions, creating or fostering relationships and providing whatever support I can provide to those who may benefit from my involvement.

What do you like the most about your job?

My current position is working with Dalhousie Legal Aid Service. I like teaching law students the practical elements of how to practice law.

Is there a cause you feel strongly about?

I feel very strongly about approaching matters in a pragmatic way, with honesty and treating others with dignity. I like to see things through to find creative solutions and I rarely take no for an answer. There are many different issues people face as they interact with the Justice system and thinking about the big picture is important to me.

Do you think that justice evolves with society? Faster/slower?

Justice can be contemporaneous with society and also be too slow. Justice is somewhat dependent on Political will, the way in which matters can appear before the courts (the facts) and the ability of those impacted to seek the remedies in the Judicial System. I do think sometimes we overcomplicate things and do not think outside of the box enough.

What was the last social or legal issue that made a strong impression on you?

The area of Indigenous child welfare is the area I have the most recent experience with. I have always been passionate about Family law as a mother, and I have always had a particular affinity for child welfare matters. I am also very motivated to work in a collaborative manner as a lawyer to try to minimize any further harm to people who are already hurting. I have utilized a lot of collaborative practices with my child welfare cases in Nova Scotia and have tried very hard to find solutions outside of a courtroom. I also worked very hard to include an Indigenous voice in the child welfare legislation at both the provincial and federal levels.

What do you think about the Internet exposure of legal cases?

This can be good and bad. Knowledge of the law is always helpful if the rules are accurately portrayed. Learning the law and how to apply it, takes many years and sometimes, this is missing from the discussion. It is good to have debates to understand different perspectives, but they should be measured and respectful to be mindful of when relationships can be destroyed by polarized discussions. Teaching people to agree to disagree and to be respectful of others is something the internet should consider.

What is the greatest challenge you have faced along the way?

My greatest challenge along my legal career was to balance my responsibilities of being a mother with my career as a lawyer.

When you chose to study law, were you thinking of pursuing a career as a lawyer?

Yes, I always wanted to be a litigator once I decided to pursue a career in law. 

What else would you have liked to do if you had not become a lawyer?

A doctor.

What do you do in your free time, do you have a hobby?

I exercise and I like to cook and be creative in the kitchen. I play various musical instruments and I like DIY home projects. 

Is there a message you would like to pass on to the new generation of lawyers? If you could talk to yourself when you were 20 years old what would you say?

• Follow your instincts/sense of justice when it comes to how to approach a matter/case. Think about your first impression of a matter when you first learned about it as the chances are, a court will also have the same first impression and prepare yourself with this in mind.
• Make time for yourself a mandatory part of your routine at the beginning of your career. Developing a positive self-care routine as a lawyer takes practice and will probably be the hardest thing for you to do. 
• Be unapologetically curious! – If you do not know or understand something, ask questions and seek guidance. Pretending to know something will never help you succeed.

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About Jennifer Cox, K.C.

CIAJ Board of Directors Member since November 2021
Staff Lawyer, Dalhousie Legal Aid Service, Dalhousie University

Jennifer Cox is a Mi’kmaq lawyer who was born and raised in Truro, Nova Scotia and has been a practising lawyer in both Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan for the past 28 years. She has spent most of her career practising in the areas of family and criminal law as well as working on three public inquiries: the Inquiry into the wrongful conviction of David Milgaard, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and the Mass Casualty Commission. Jennifer Cox, K.C., has been on the Board of CIAJ since 2021.

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