Claire McMenemy

PhD Candidate (School of Social Work)

Claire McMenemy is a PhD Candidate in the School of Social Work at Carleton University and a practicing lawyer whose work focuses on access to justice, legal advocacy and support for vulnerable and marginalized communities. Alongside her doctoral studies, she works at a community legal clinic, supporting individuals living on low incomes as they navigate legal systems and advocate for their rights. Her work includes representation before tribunals and courts, public legal education and law reform advocacy. 

McMenemy’s expertise spans law, social work, trauma-informed practice and community advocacy. She serves as a team leader for the Gender-Based Violence project, Your Way Forward, which provides legal support to survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence. McMenemy’s professional experience also includes work with the Public Prosecution Service and Global Affairs Canada. In addition to her legal qualifications, she is a registered social worker and holds a Master of Social Work, bringing experience in counselling trauma survivors and working in health-care settings, including palliative care. 

Through her combined experience in law, social work, education and advocacy, McMenemy brings an interdisciplinary perspective to issues of equity, community well-being and social justice. Her work is driven by a commitment to supporting individuals and communities through informed, compassionate and client-centred approaches.