SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
• Provided legal expertise to family, child protection, mental health and criminal law clients, 2012-present. Provided clients with information and guidance to help them decide their course of action in dealing with legal difficulties.
• Helped Queen’s Computing Science Department to transfer first year curricula online, 1995-1999. Helped professors to take advantage of new educational technologies and modify their teaching practices to take into account curriculum theory, different learning styles, and students’ personal educational goals. Used a variety of online and offline evaluating techniques.
• Ran classes as lead computer teacher at Kingston Penitentiary and Bath Institution, 1995-1999. Introduced new courses, overhauled the college level computer program, helped my students set educational goals and achieve them, and had a high percentage of students attaining high school and college credits.
• Home schooled my children from Grades 2-7, 2004-2010. Devised a program of study, taking into account the Ontario Curriculum, their learning styles, learning disabilities, and interests. Helped contribute to their experiential education and social development. Helped the larger home schooling community by coordinating with other parents to provide educational experiences such as field trips, group classes, and events like the MS Readathon. Took advantage of online, individual, and group live classes.
• Designed and ran Effective Listening and Communication workshops as Community Outreach Executive for Telephone Aid Line Kingston, 1994-1996. Provided training around the city for groups such as high school, college and university students, teachers, military families, and counsellors.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Lawyer in Criminal, Family, Child Protection and Mental Health Law
2012 – present
Gave legal advice and counselled clients; researched and drafted reports, forms, and agreements; conducted interviews, meetings, negotiations and mediations with clients, witnesses, and colleagues; appeared in court and administrative tribunals for hearings, conferences, motions and trials.
Writer at FindLaw, a Thompson Reuters Company
2013 – 2015
Wrote websites for law firms and sole practitioners; conducted interviews with lawyers in various fields, determining their firms’ needs and practices; researched various areas of law; applied online marketing best practices to maximize online presence; worked in collaborative teams with marketing, design, and technical staff.
Articling Student at James Harbic Law Office
2010 – 2011
Researched and drafted motions, facta, appeals, reports, affidavits, and letters, conducted interviews, meetings, and negotiations with clients, witnesses, and colleagues, and appeared in court on behalf of clients charged with criminal offences.
Research Project Assistant for David Suzuki Foundation
2007
Researched an issue of federal government policy, contacted foreign government officials regarding international policy, and prepared summary of findings to assist the Foundation define its position on the issue.
Editor at Ottawa Law Review 40th Anniversary Edition
2006
Reviewed and helped select articles for the Anniversary Edition, and edited all articles selected.
Assistant Editor/Editor at Ottawa Law Review, Volumes 36 and 37
2005 – 2006
Assisted in reviewing and selecting articles for publication, edited articles selected, and supervised assistant editors.
Curriculum Development Assistant for Queen’s University
1995 – 1999
Created curriculum for computing science courses offered at Queen’s University, and provided guidance to professors regarding curriculum design, educational theory, and the use of online educational software.
Teacher at Bath Institution and Kingston Penitentiary
1995 – 1999
Taught college and high school level computer science courses to federal inmates, and assisted federal inmates with educational, personal, and parole-related issues.
Teacher at Loyola Community Learning Centre
1998
Taught Adult Continuing Education computing courses.
Domestic Interpreter at Fort Henry
1994
Provided French, English and Spanish tours and historical interpretation.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
General Volunteer, West End Legal Services, 2012-2015.
Home Schooling Parent, 2004-2010.
Coordinator, MS Readathon, Home Based Learner’s Network of Ottawa, 2008-2010.
Community Outreach and Education Executive, Telephone Aid Line Kingston, 1994-1996.
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
• Bachelor of Laws, Cum Laude, Ottawa University, (2002-2008)
• Bachelor of Education, Queen’s University, (1993-1995)
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Queen’s University, (1989-1993)
PERSONAL
Languages: Fluent in English, French and Spanish.
Hobbies: Founding member, Harmonia Choir of Ottawa; Black belt (1rst Dan) in Taekwon-do; five years playing midfield women’s soccer; creative writing.
Claudia Bordes 