International Women’s Day was celebrated earlier this month and the theme for 2026 was “Give to Gain” – with this year’s campaign encouraging a mindset of collaboration and generosity, while emphasizing the power of reciprocity and support.

Here at LESA, we are privileged to work with many incredible volunteers who embrace the ethos of collaboration and generosity, and one of those volunteers is Ashley Stasiewich. In the spirit of celebrating women, their achievements, and their contributions, we wanted to take this opportunity to shine the spotlight on Ashley.

Ashley is a frequent LESA volunteer, contributing to many support staff programs over the last few years, and she’s at it again this May when she will be presenting at LESA’s Effective Legal Support: Law Office Fundamentals program. Ashley took the time to tell us a little about herself, share some tips for those starting out as legal support staff, and dive into what participants will gain from attending this upcoming program. Not to spoil the surprise, but, psst … mentorship and networking play into most of what Ashley had to say.

So, take a few minutes to read on and celebrate one of the many generous volunteers giving back to Alberta’s legal profession. Thank you, Ashley, for all that you do!

Tell us a little bit about yourself: your background, experience, and education.

I have spent close to two decades working in the legal field, primarily in criminal defence and law office management. In addition to my work in practice, I teach in the Paralegal Studies program at MacEwan University, where I focus on helping students develop the professional judgment, research skills, and practical competencies needed to support lawyers and clients effectively.

My academic background reflects my interest in the relationship between education and the legal profession. I hold a graduate degree in education and am currently completing a Doctor of Education, where my research focuses on professional development of paralegals in Alberta. Much of my work explores how education can better support legal support professionals, not only those working alongside lawyers but also those serving the public through community organizations and in quasi-legal environments.

Outside the classroom, I remain closely connected to the profession through research, community service, and collaboration with industry partners. I am particularly interested in strengthening the role of legal support professionals within the justice system and in developing educational resources that help the profession adapt to changing legal, technological, and regulatory environments.

What inspired you to the legal profession? To teaching?

I fell into the legal profession somewhat unexpectedly. During my first undergraduate degree, I worked as a file clerk at Moreau Law. As I completed my second undergraduate degree, I moved into a legal assistant role and later worked as a Traffic Court Agent (“paralegal”) before eventually transitioning into management. Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation for the work that legal support professionals do and the important role they play in supporting lawyers, clients, and the justice system.

Teaching came later. In 2020, MacEwan University advertised for an instructor in the Paralegal Studies program, and I applied. I was given the opportunity to teach in the program and have since taken on additional courses over time. It has also allowed me to contribute to scholarship focused on legal assistants and paralegals, an area that has historically received limited academic attention in Canada.

It had always been a goal of mine to one day help train future legal assistants and paralegals. Today, I am fortunate to do that both in the classroom and through my work at Moreau Law, which allows me to stay closely connected to the profession while helping prepare the next generation of legal professionals.

Why do you volunteer for organizations such as LESA?

I volunteer with LESA because continuing legal education plays an important role in strengthening the profession. I am particularly interested in encouraging more legal support staff to step forward and share their expertise. Legal assistants and paralegals hold a tremendous amount of practical knowledge, and creating space for their voices helps strengthen the profession as a whole.

What do you like most about volunteering?

What I enjoy most about volunteering is connecting with others in the profession. I appreciate the opportunity to network, share information, and learn from the experiences and perspectives of attendees.

What would you say to a student if they asked you for career advice?

I would tell them that their practicum is only a foot in the door. It is an important first step, but it does not define the rest of their career. Take every opportunity to learn while you are there. Ask questions, learn about different files, observe how different lawyers work and their preferences, and become comfortable with the technology and systems used in the office.

Networking is also incredibly important. Much of your success in the legal profession will come from the relationships you build. Stay connected with classmates from your program, seek out mentors, and do not hesitate to reach out to colleagues when you need guidance or support. Often, the person who helps you find a precedent at 3:00 p.m. before a filing deadline will be someone from your network.

Finally, take advantage of every opportunity for continued learning. Many excellent training resources are available through organizations like LESA, local libraries, and educational institutions. Do not overlook the people around you either. Faculty and experienced professionals are often a wealth of knowledge and are usually happy to share what they have learned along the way. Buy one of us a cup of coffee, and I can almost guarantee we will happily talk your ear off for an hour or two!

What challenges, if any, exist for students when looking to begin their legal support staff careers?

One challenge that students sometimes face, particularly in smaller firms, is a lack of mentorship. Not every office has the time or capacity to walk you through new tasks, and you may find yourself learning things in practice that were never covered in school. That can feel stressful when you are just starting out and trying to provide quality work. That is one of the reasons why mentorship is such an important part of my teaching philosophy. I encourage students to build their networks early. Stay connected with classmates, ask questions, learn how to find reliable resources, and reach out to people in the profession when you need help. And just as importantly, be a good colleague yourself. If you want a community that supports you, you also must show up for others. The legal profession is a small world, and the friendships you build along the way often become some of your most valuable resources.

Who should attend this Effective Legal Support: Law Office Fundamentals program and what takeaways can they expect from attending?

Junior legal support professionals who are looking for mentorship and practical guidance would benefit most from this program. It is designed for those who are early in their careers and want to better understand the profession, build confidence in their role, and connect with others in the legal community. Participants can expect practical insights, honest conversations about the realities of working in the profession, and opportunities to learn from the experiences that my co-presenter Tara and I have had along the way. We both enjoy sharing what we have learned and creating a welcoming environment where people can ask questions, exchange ideas, and hopefully leave feeling more confident and supported in their careers. I’m looking forward to it!

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Stay tuned for more as we highlight Ashley’s co-presenter, Tara Edwards, in an upcoming blog post. For more information, or to register, visit the Effective Legal Support: Law Office Fundamentals webpage.