Page 17 - CCCA64_2013

CCCA_V7No4_Profiles-FIN_CCCA 13-11-25 12:27 PM Page 17 leading lady Profile By Michael Dempster word firecracker when they were talking about her,” he says. Nicole Sarauer, acting executive director at Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan, calls Yang “a bit of a poster child for pro bono.” She volunteers at the free legal program providing summary advice and was integral in creating the immigration and refugee panel program — areas where legal aid doesn’t provide services in the province. “Stephanie’s helped train a group of staff Justice [Department] lawyers who form the large majority of our panel… she also takes on pro bono files through the program and is forever recruiting other lawyers, telling them the value pro bono has added to her life. “It’s very hard not to be convinced and get on the pro bono bandwagon when you hear Stephanie tell her stories and the ways she does it.” Yang’s pro bono message, however, is wrapped in a worri- some question: “What would happen to these people if they didn’t have our help?” It’s why she keeps a picture of an autistic boy, her first major pro bono case, and another of Tahera Karimi on her desk. They’re reminders of the critical service lawyers can and do provide. “She changed my life,” Tahera says, after an after-school physio- therapy session. “If she hadn’t helped, I wouldn’t be able to go to school, which is what I really love.” The Grade 11 student, gets mostly A’s, is fluent in English, rides the bus like other kids and because of regular therapy no longer needs a wheelchair. Tahera says she’s blessed to have Stephanie as a friend — a bond that has outlived the case that brought them together. “Tahera is just this fantastic person, and so sweet,” Yang says. “She’s doing extremely well and, yes, it’s early and you never know, but she even talked about maybe studying to become a teacher or lawyer.” As stories go, everyone agrees, that would be incredible. Michael Dempster is a freelance writer based in Calgary. HIVER 2013 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 17