Advocate in the Justice System - OPS 26 years
After graduating from the University of Windsor Law School, Denise began her career as an Assistant Crown Attorney in Kitchener and Toronto. As an Assistant Crown, Denise prosecuted many complex sexual assault and domestic violence cases during a time when the criminal justice system began its policy balancing complainants’ rights and the rights of the accused. As well, Denise seized the opportunity to be seconded to the Federal Prosecution Service, Department of Justice, Canada for two years. She was one of the lead counsel on a case that was, at the time, one of the largest international organized crime and drug smuggling prosecutions in the Department’s history.
Denise excelled in the public service. She became a Deputy Director in the Ministry of the Attorney General, civil litigation division and eventually, the Legal Director for the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. She was the first Black person to hold these leadership positions in the Ministry of the Attorney General. Her next promotion, as an Assistant Deputy Minister, Denise was tasked to modernize police education and training: leading the evolution of justice and public safety.
DENISE DWYER, B.A., LL.B., M. Ed.
Public Servant: Educator, Trainer, Mentor and Coach: Advocate for the Justice System.
For over 40 years, the UN General Assembly declared March 8th as the UN Day for women's rights, and world peace. For 36 of those forty-plus years, the YMCA Toronto has been commemorating this day by announcing "Women of Distinction" - women who have helped to improve the lives of women, and girls.
In 2017, the YWCA bestowed this honour on seven women, among them, was CABL member, Denise Dwyer. Notably, Denise is a recipient of CABL's Community Service Award.
“I am the first lawyer in my family, but I am not the first legal mind,” Denise would say. The other legal mind is her father's who is known for his keen advocacy as a union representative, and an advocate for worker's and human rights. Both parents, Jamaican-born, fostered a home environment rich in robust discourse about equality, race, and justice. "The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms adorned the walls of their family room", and her parents’ message was clear, “Educate yourself and you can achieve anything – when you are educated, no one can hold you back because of the colour of your skin”. It is not surprising that Denise found her professional destiny in the law
Advocate in the Justice System - OPS 26 years
After graduating from the University of Windsor Law School, Denise began her career as an Assistant Crown Attorney in Kitchener and Toronto. As an Assistant Crown, Denise prosecuted many complex sexual assault and domestic violence cases during a time when the criminal justice system began its policy balancing complainants’ rights and the rights of the accused. As well, Denise seized the opportunity to be seconded to the Federal Prosecution Service, Department of Justice, Canada for two years. She was one of the lead counsel on a case that was, at the time, one of the largest international organized crime and drug smuggling prosecutions in the Department’s history.
Denise excelled in the public service. She became a Deputy Director in the Ministry of the Attorney General, civil litigation division and eventually, the Legal Director for the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. She was the first Black person to hold these leadership positions in the Ministry of the Attorney General. Her next promotion, as an Assistant Deputy Minister, Denise was tasked to modernize police education and training: leading the evolution of justice and public safety.
FEATURED LAWYER
11 BLawyer-isH/March, 2017