Yasmeen Grant, Lawyer
Yasmeen earned her law degree from the University of Victoria in 1995, having received her B.A. in foreign languages and linguistics from McGill University in 1992. Unlike many of her colleagues, Yasmeen did not commence her articles right away, choosing instead to focus on a variety of interests, most importantly raising a family with her husband, Rex Grant, whom she met at law school and who is now an articled student at Hemminger Schmid.
While their children were small, Yasmeen remained at home with them while Rex worked as a federal treaty negotiator. Later, the entire family spent a year traveling in South America, where they became familiar with the language, culture, and politics of the region. Upon returning to Canada, Yasmeen spent two years in the remote community of Lillooet, BC, working as a poverty law advocate. She then spent a further two years serving as a legal assistant at a Victoria law firm. Yasmeen has also worked as a human rights advocate and mitigation specialist on death-penalty cases appearing before the United States Federal Court.
In addition, Yasmeen has done significant research in the area of freedom of conscience and religion, as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, particularly as these pertain to the regulation of sacramental and therapeutic plants.
Yasmeen has also worked extensively in the field of translation and interpretation. She is fluent in English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese, and is in the process of learning Italian. She recently completed interviews, writing, interpretation, and translation for two documentaries -- one film, the other radio -- both focused on the preservation the Amazonian rain forest and the rights of the indigenous people who are their custodians.
Yasmeen completed her articles at Hemminger Schmid with Val Hemminger as her principal and was admitted to the BC Bar in 2009. She is excited to be moving into this next phase of her career, and is proud to be part of Hemminger Schmid, a law and mediation firm which promotes the ethics and societal values most near and dear to her heart.