February 28, 2006 - 4:00pm
Nanaimo lawyer Stephen Littley is giving back to the school that gave him such a good start.
As of last semester, Littley has been spending two afternoons a month doling out free legal advice in 20 minute increments to students through the Malaspina Students’ Union (MSU).
"I always hoped I could come and do this," said Littley. "I thought about how I could have used (legal advice) as a student and how others around me could too."
The 37 year-old father of two graduated from Malaspina University-College with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Psychology in 2000.
In 1996 Littley decided to pursue a post-secondary education because he was tired of working as a janitor and wanted something more for himself and his young family. To pay for school he continued working nights as a janitor and spent his days attending classes, studying and working for fellow students as the president of the MSU.
After graduation, Littley simultaneously attended UBC Law School and worked on his Masters degree at Simon Fraser University.
He graduated from law school in 2003 and continues to work on completing his Masters degree while working as a full-time lawyer at Hobbs Hargrave Barristers & Solicitors in Nanaimo.
Littley’s experience at Malaspina and his love for the community brought him back to Nanaimo.
"I love Nanaimo. I think it is a good community to raise children in and I also came back because I had such a good start here."
"My time at Malaspina has given me a lot of networking opportunities which have helped me ease into the community. People I have dealt with and gone to school with at Malaspina are now the people I work with and have business relationships with in Nanaimo."
As a lawyer, Littley works mostly with family and criminal law cases.
"(Being a lawyer) is not what I imagined. I thought I’d be saving everybody and I obviously can’t. But I do get to help people."
While being a lawyer can be stressful, Littley hopes by offering free legal advice to students he can ease stress they may be having over legal questions and concerns.
"Issues can weigh on their minds and students often don’t have the money to seek legal advice," said Littley, adding he may not be able to solve all their problems in half an hour but he can offer some good advice and a referral if required.
Tags: In the Community
