Léa Desjardins

Léa Desjardins is an associate in Gowling WLG’s Ottawa office, practicing in the Advocacy Department. Léa’s practice focuses on Indigenous and constitutional law. Léa practices in both French and English; she is also fluent in Spanish.

Prior to joining Gowling WLG, Léa worked with Indigenous communities in Quebec and Ontario defending the rights of Indigenous women and families, particularly in the area of child protection. Léa has appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice and has represented clients in Indigenous Alternative Dispute Resolution. Léa is a member of the Aboriginal Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association.

Léa’s background includes roles in the parliamentary sector with the House of Commons and with elected officials, and in the not-for-profit sector with a number of organisations advocating for equality-seeking groups, including the National Association of Women and the Law.

Léa obtained a dual degree (J.D. and LL.L.) in the Programme de droit canadien from the University of Ottawa. During her studies, Léa conducted research on matters related to human rights and Indigenous governance. She also served as French vice president of the student government and as a member of the Regroupement étudiant de common law en français. Prior to law school, Léa completed an undergraduate degree in anthropology.