Jen Danch

Jen’s interest in social justice law emerged from her work as a community-based social worker. Jen worked for 10+ years in Toronto’s at-risk neighbourhoods focusing on crisis intervention, harm reduction and advocacy with survivors of violence, homelessness and addiction. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in International Development Studies and a Master of Social Work degree, both from the University of Toronto.

Jen obtained her Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School. She completed a term at Parkdale Community Legal Clinic as a law student caseworker in the Social Assistance, Violence and Health (SAVAH) division. The law school awarded Jen the 2017 Frederick H. Zemans Prize in Poverty Law and the Dean’s Gold Key Award for her refugee rights advocacy.

Following law school, Jen articled at the Ontario Human Rights Commission where she worked on systemic litigation regarding solitary confinement and barriers to employment for refugees. She also conducted extensive research to support the Commission’s advocacy on economic rights, eliminating racial profiling and access to education for children with reading disabilities. She joined Swadron Associates following her call to the bar in 2018.

A significant portion of Jen’s practice is dedicated to representing victims of violence, sexual assault and child abuse. This includes advising victims respecting their options - within and outside of the criminal justice system - after violence has occurred. Jen represents victims in s 276 (prior sexual history) and s 278 (third party records) applications in criminal proceedings and in civil claims against their abusers and the institutions that enabled their abuse.

Jen regularly represents clients at the Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Justice, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and the Consent and Capacity Board. Jen serves Swadron Associates clients in all aspects of the firm’s practice.

Assistant:
Vladislava Usacheva
vusacheva@swadron.com
(416) 362-1234 ext. 241