Our Team

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

Shelley Gilbert is a graduate of the School of Social Work from the University of Windsor and has been on staff since 1993. Shelley has held various positions at LAW including Staff Social Worker and Coordinator of Social Work Services. As an Executive Director, Shelley is responsible for the management and strategic direction of all LAW programs. Shelley developed and implemented a number of programs at LAW including the anti-exploitation/trafficking program WECEN and the Migrant Worker Programs. Shelley has been recognized provincially and nationally including receiving the Justice Canada Excellence in Victim Services Award in 2022.

STAFF LAWYERS:

Natasha Manning is our Director of Legal Services. She received her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2014. Natasha has worked at several Community Legal Clinics in Ontario since she completed the Intensive Program at Parkdale Community Legal Services in Toronto as a law student. She has experience in many areas of clinic law, with a focus on Immigration law. Natasha’s role includes the supervision of staff and students, engaging in public legal education, and practicing immigration law. She is a former Board Member of the Committee of Adjustments in Toronto, and she is currently a Co-Chair of the Inter Clinic Immigration Working Group (ICIWG).

Tori Lee-Jenkins joined LAW in March 2021 as a summary advice lawyer for landlord and tenant matters, and in June 2021 began working as a staff lawyer for landlord and tenant matters. Tori is a graduate of Windsor Law and before becoming a staff lawyer, practiced in criminal law and ran her own legal practice. She provides representation and student supervision in housing law at the clinic and assists in development of community public education initiatives.

Evelyne Dubois joined LAW in September 2023 as a staff lawyer in immigration law and has her own private practice. Evelyne is a graduate of University of Detroit Mercy Law. She is responsible for supervising students, community legal education, law reform activities and legal representation for clients.

Hajar Tohme joined LAW in February 2024 as a staff lawyer in public/social benefits. She is a graduate of Windsor Law and before becoming a staff lawyer, worked in real estate and corporate law. She came to LAW after working as the staff lawyer for Muslim Legal Support Centre (MLSC).

Sarah Bernik joined LAW in October 2024 as a Summary Legal Advice Paralegal and Tenant Duty Counsel for Landlord and Tenant matters. Sarah graduated from the University of Windsor and obtained her Bachelors degree in Criminology and later obtained her diploma from Humber College in the Paralegal Education Program. Prior to joining LAW, Sarah worked at the Ontario Court of Justice and Legal Aid Ontario. Sarah is passionate about providing access to Justice for those in her community.

There are also multiple housing lawyers at LAW who provide brief services and summary advice to our clients.

SOCIAL WORK STAFF:

Amanda Pierce is our Director of Social Work Services. She completed both her Bachelor and Masters of Social Work degrees at the University of Windsor. With a background in child protection, Amanda has specialized in providing service to people who have experienced gender based violence and exploitation. Amanda worked as the Anti-Human Trafficking Project Coordinator at LAW in 2018, and developed LAW’s Gender Based Violence Program, beginning in 2022. Having provided frontline service to the Windsor-Essex Community since 2009.

Nicole Wilson joined LAW in April 2024, as the Staff Social Worker. She graduated with a Bachelors of Social Work and a minor in Child Psychology in 2005 and a Masters of Social Work in 2010, both are from the University of Windsor. Nicole comes with extensive knowledge in the areas of addictions, mental health, harm reduction, trauma informed care and housing.

INDIGENOUS JUSTICE COORDINATOR:

Deanne (Dee) Jacques joined Legal Assistance of Windsor in May 2025 as the Indigenous Justice Coordinator. Dee has a background in psychotherapy, service coordination, and inter-sectoral collaboration across health, justice, and social services. Dee is passionate about working for her people and alongside her community to support urban Indigenous clients and address service gaps. She is a graduate of the University of Windsor, where she completed degrees in Psychology and Criminology, and of Yorkville University, where she earned a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology. Her training emphasized trauma-informed practice, restorative approaches, and client-centered advocacy. In her role at Legal Assistance of Windsor, Dee is guided by Indigenous teachings and values, walking alongside clients and community members in ways that honour relationships, respect, and the wisdom of her people. She strives to support healing and justice by creating space for voices to be heard and nurturing pathways that reflect Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING PROJECT:

Bianca Colaluca is a graduate from the University of Windsor, where she obtained a Bachelors in Criminology, and Master’s Degree from the School of Social Worker. She also acquired a Diploma from the Child and Youth Care Program at St. Clair College. Bianca fulfilled a student placement with LAW in 2019 and has returned as the Anti-Human Trafficking Project Coordinator. She is passionate about advocating for clients and the community. (currently on maternity leave)

Taylor Vetero joined LAW in September 2024, as the Interim Anti-Human Trafficking Project Coordinator. Taylor is a graduate from the University of Windsor, where he obtained a Bachelors Degree from the School of Social Work. Taylor comes with years of experience working in housing, addictions, mental health and with at-risk youth.

Yannin Ramirez joined LAW in November 2019 as the Housing Support Worker working with survivors of human trafficking. Yannin graduated from the Community Justice Services Program at St Clair College in 2014. She has previous experience working with homeless and at-risk youth in Windsor/Essex. Yannin is a highly creative and dedicated leader with a lot of knowledge regarding the needs of vulnerable people in our community. This position allows Yannin to utilize her excellent advocacy and interpersonal skills. Her experiences both personally and professionally have led to her joining the WECEN project.

Tammy Goulin is the WECEN Supportive Housing Worker at LAW. Tammy graduated with her Honours Bachelor’s of Social Work degree from the University of Windsor in 2013. Tammy joined our team in August 2024, bringing over a decade of social work experience to her role. With a strong background as a trauma and addiction counselor, Tammy is passionate about helping individuals navigate their challenges and find stability in their lives.

Amna Elsallak an outreach worker since Nov 2024 Amna brings over 10 years of extensive experience in humanitarian work, community engagement, and advocacy. With a background in Business Administration and a focus on supporting vulnerable populations, Amna has worked with international organizations on projects related to social protection, child welfare, and psychosocial support. She brings a culturally sensitive approach to her work and is passionate about empowering individuals and fostering inclusivity. Based in Windsor, Amna is committed to contributing to community development and providing accessible legal assistance to those in need.

MIGRANT OUTREACH WORKERS:

Claudia Membreno joined LAW in 2020 as the Migrant Worker Group Outreach Worker. She graduated from the Legal Assistance Program at St. Clair College and holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Windsor. Her previous experience includes working as a Settlement Worker, assisting newcomers and immigrants in settling in Canada. In her role at LAW, Claudia focuses on community development and support, especially regarding gender-based violence. In addition, she empowers workers to advocate for themselves and educate others, fostering change within the migrant community and contributing to broader social transformation.

Amanda Morales joined LAW in August 2020 as the Migrant Worker Group Outreach Worker. As a social psychologist with an academic foundation in social philosophy, I am currently advancing my studies as a doctoral candidate at the University of Windsor. My background is enriched by extensive experience in community development and social research, where I have applied psychological principles to understand and enhance social structures. My work aspires to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications, fostering greater community engagement and development. Through my research, I aim to contribute meaningful insights into emotions, social analysis, and community well-being.

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE PROJECT:

Emilie Joncas holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Windsor, following earlier studies in nursing and a brief career in the hospitality industry. Before joining LAW, she has worked with a community organization supporting Francophone women survivors of violence. As a native French speaker, Emilie is still deeply engaged in the Francophone community and values creating inclusive spaces. She believes that individuals are inherently capable of making the best decisions for themselves, though support and guidance can be essential during challenging times. Emilie’s practice is grounded in a feminist, intersectional approach, and she is particularly passionate about advancing social work at a systemic level.

Claire Allsop joined LAW in August 2022 as a staff lawyer for the Supporting Survivors of Gender Based Violence and Sexual Assault project. She is a graduate of Windsor Law. While at Windsor Law, she dedicated her time to volunteering for organizations that focused on assisting survivors of gender based violence and sexual assault. Prior to joining LAW, Claire practiced in the areas of insurance defence, real estate, wills, and civil litigation.

Fallon Funkenhauser joined Legal Assistance of Windsor in 2025 as the Risk and Response Coordinator with the Hub Without Walls project. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Windsor and is a Registered Social Worker. Her background spans across multiple sectors where she has supported individuals and teams in Canada and abroad in navigating complex systems and transitions. Fallon’s expertise includes intimate partner violence risk assessment, risk identification and response, and trauma-informed practice. In her current role, she works alongside survivors of gender-based violence and collaborates with community partners to strengthen sustainable and compassionate responses.

SUPPORT STAFF:

Vivian Wang, Service Coordinator since April 2024. Vivian brings over 20 years of leadership experience in hospitality and international business management, alongside nearly 5 years in Ontario’s non-profit sector. In her role as Service Coordinator at LAW, she provides support to the entire team, liaises with the Board of Directors, and coordinates both personnel and volunteer resources. Vivian also oversees administrative and financial functions to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.

Kelly Demers joined LAW in June of 2018. As Support Staff, she performs reception duties, opens and closes files, maintains statistical records, provides assistance to staff and students in creating and printing documents, and in general, provides practical knowledge and information about our services and operations.

Naomi Cowan joined LAW in April 2024 as our Intake Worker. Naomi is responsible for client intake, including assessing and directing clients to appropriate resources. She will assign the intake and make the initial appointment for clients of LAW or alternatively make referrals for clients requiring services not provided by LAW. Naomi brings many years of experience in the legal field within private law firms in various areas of law.

NOTRE ÉQUIPE

DIRECTRICE GÉNÉRALE :

Shelley Gilbert est diplômée de l’École de travail social de l’Université de Windsor et occupe un poste au sein de l’équipe depuis 1993. Elle a occupé plusieurs postes au sein de Legal Assistance of Windsor (LAW), dont celui de travailleuse sociale et de coordonnatrice des services de travail social. Elle est directrice générale depuis septembre 2023. Elle est responsable de la gestion et de l’orientation stratégique de l’ensemble des programmes de LAW. Elle a élaboré et mis en œuvre plusieurs programmes, notamment le programme de lutte contre l’exploitation et la traite de personnes du Windsor-Essex Counter-Exploitation Network (W.E.C.E.N.) et les programmes pour les travailleurs migrants. Shelley a été honorée à l’échelle provinciale et nationale, ayant reçu entre autres le Prix d’excellence pour les services d’aide aux victimes d’actes criminels de Justice Canada en 2022.

AVOCATES‑CONSEILS À L’INTERNE :

Natasha Manning est notre directrice des services juridiques. Elle a obtenu son diplôme de Juris Doctor de la Faculté de droit Osgoode Hall en 2014. Elle a acquis de l’expérience en travaillant dans plusieurs cliniques juridiques communautaires en Ontario depuis qu’elle a suivi le programme intensif à Parkdale Community Legal Services à Toronto lorsqu’elle était étudiante en droit. Elle possède de l’expérience dans de nombreux domaines du droit clinique, avec une spécialisation en droit de l’immigration. En tant que directrice des services juridiques, Natasha supervise le personnel et les étudiants, participe à l’éducation juridique du public et pratique le droit de l’immigration. Elle a été membre du conseil d’administration du Comité de dérogation à Toronto et occupe actuellement le poste de coprésidente du Groupe de travail interclinique sur l’immigration. (à compter de juillet 2024)

Tori Lee‑Jenkins s’est jointe à LAW en mars 2021 en tant qu’avocate‑conseil pour les différends entre locateurs et locataires et, depuis juin 2021, elle exerce en tant qu’avocate à l’interne dans ce domaine. Elle est diplômée de la Faculté de droit de l’Université de Windsor et, avant de devenir avocate, elle pratiquait le droit pénal et gérait son propre cabinet juridique. À la clinique, elle est avocate en droit du logement et supervise les étudiants dans ce domaine, tout en contribuant à l’élaboration d’initiatives communautaires d’éducation du public.

Hajar Tohme s’est jointe à LAW en février 2024 en tant qu’avocate‑conseil dans les domaines de l’aide sociale et des bienfaits d’intérêt public. Elle est diplômée de la Faculté de droit de Windsor et, avant de devenir avocate au sein de LAW, elle a travaillé dans les domaines du droit immobilier et du droit des sociétés. Elle s’est jointe à notre équipe après avoir travaillé en tant qu’avocate‑conseil à l’interne pour le Muslim Legal Support Centre.

LAW dispose également de plusieurs avocats spécialisés en droit du logement qui offrent des services rapides et des conseils sommaires à nos clients.

TRAVAILLEUSES SOCIALES :

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Nicole Wilson s’est jointe à LAW en avril 2024 en tant que travailleuse sociale. En 2005, elle a obtenu son baccalauréat en travail social avec une mineure en psychologie de l’enfant, suivi d’une maîtrise en travail social en 2010, tous deux de l’Université de Windsor. Elle possède une vaste expérience dans les domaines des dépendances, de la santé mentale, de la réduction des méfaits, des soins axés sur les traumatismes et du logement.

COORDONNATRICE DE LA JUSTICE AUTOCHTONE :

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PROJET DE LUTTE CONTRE LA TRAITE DE PERSONNES :

Bianca Colaluca est diplômée de l’Université de Windsor, où elle a obtenu un baccalauréat en criminologie et une maîtrise en travail social. Elle a également obtenu un diplôme du programme de soins des enfants et des jeunes du St. Clair College. Après avoir effectué un stage au sein de LAW en 2019, elle y est devenue coordonnatrice du projet de lutte contre la traite de personnes. Sa passion réside dans la défense des clients et de la communauté.

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Yannin Ramirez s’est jointe à LAW en novembre 2019 en tant que travailleuse de soutien au logement travaillant avec les survivants de la traite de personnes. Elle a obtenu son diplôme du programme de services de justice communautaire du St. Clair College en 2014. Elle a déjà eu l’occasion de travailler avec des jeunes sans abri et à risque à Windsor et dans le comté d’Essex. Leader hautement créatif et dévoué, elle comprend parfaitement les besoins des personnes vulnérables de notre communauté. Ce poste lui permet d’utiliser ses excellentes compétences en défense des droits et en relations interpersonnelles. Ses expériences personnelles et professionnelles l’ont conduite à se joindre au projet W.E.C.E.N.

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SENSIBILISATION DES TRAVAILLEURS MIGRANTS :

Claudia Membreno s’est jointe à LAW en 2020 en tant que travailleuse de proximité pour le groupe des travailleurs migrants. Elle est diplômée du programme d’assistance juridique du St. Clair College et détient une maîtrise en travail social de l’Université de Windsor. Avant de se joindre à notre équipe, elle a travaillé en tant qu’agente d’intégration des immigrants, aidant les nouveaux arrivants et les immigrants à s’installer au Canada. Elle se consacre principalement au développement et au soutien communautaire, en particulier en ce qui concerne la violence fondée sur le sexe. Elle encourage également les travailleurs à défendre leurs propres droits et à éduquer les autres, favorisant ainsi un changement chez les migrants et contribuant à une transformation sociale plus large.

Amanda Morales s’est jointe à LAW en août 2020 en tant que travailleuse de proximité pour le groupe des travailleurs migrants. Je suis une psychologue sociale ayant fait de solides études en philosophie sociale et je poursuis mes études en tant que doctorante à l’Université de Windsor. J’ai acquis de l’expérience dans le développement communautaire et la recherche sociale, en appliquant des principes psychologiques pour comprendre et améliorer les structures sociales. Mon approche professionnelle consiste à appliquer les principes théoriques à des projets pratiques, ce qui favorise la participation et le développement communautaires. Mon objectif est de découvrir des données importantes sur les émotions, l’analyse sociale et le bien‑être communautaire à travers mes recherches.

PROJET SUR LA VIOLENCE FONDÉE SUR LE SEXE :

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Claire Allsop s’est jointe à LAW en août 2022 en tant d’avocate‑conseil pour le projet Supporting Survivors of Gender Based Violence and Sexual Assault (Soutenir les survivants de la violence fondée sur le sexe et d’agressions sexuelles). Elle est diplômée de la Faculté de droit de l’Université de Windsor. Pendant ses études à la Faculté, elle a fait du bénévolat pour des organismes œuvrant à venir en aide aux victimes de la violence fondée sur le sexe et d’agressions sexuelles. Avant de se joindre à notre équipe, elle a exercé dans les domaines de la défense en assurance, de l’immobilier, des testaments et des litiges civils.

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PERSONNEL DE SOUTIEN :

Vivian Wang est coordonnatrice des services depuis avril 2024. Elle possède plus de 20 ans d’expérience dans le secteur de l’hôtellerie et de la gestion des affaires internationales, ainsi que près de 5 ans dans le secteur sans but lucratif de l’Ontario. Son rôle actuel consiste à offrir du soutien au personnel et aux étudiants, à maintenir la liaison avec le conseil d’administration et à coordonner les ressources humaines et bénévoles.

Kelly Demers s’est jointe à LAW en juin 2018. En tant qu’employée de soutien, elle effectue des tâches de réception, ouvre et ferme des dossiers, tient à jour des registres statistiques, aide le personnel et les étudiants à créer et à imprimer des documents et, en général, elle offre des connaissances pratiques et des informations sur nos services et nos activités.

Naomi Cowan s’est jointe à LAW en avril 2024 en tant que travailleuse chargée de l’accueil. Il lui incombe d’accueillir les clients, de les évaluer et de les aiguiller vers les ressources appropriées. Elle s’occupe de l’admission et de la première prise de rendez‑vous pour les clients de LAW, ou les aiguille vers d’autres services si nécessaire. Elle possède une vaste expérience dans le domaine du droit, ayant travaillé pendant de nombreuses années au sein de différents cabinets d’avocats privés.