I’m honoured to share that I’m featured in the University of Victoria’s alumni magazine in a feature titled Road Lawyer, highlighting my unconventional path into the legal profession. UVic.ca
The article traces my unlikely journey: from growing up on an apple orchard in Summerland, BC, to riding freight trains across North America after high school (yes, really). Then, as a single mom working to make ends meet, I moved to Victoria, enrolled at UVic, and eventually found my way to law school. UVic.ca
After graduating (LLB ’06), I took up a government role in legal policy with the Ministry of Attoney General, then helped lead the reform that produced the British Columbia Family Law Act — a law that modernized family law in B.C. and later helped shape changes to the federal Divorce Act. UVic.ca
Today, I balance private practice in family and fertility law, mediation, and law-reform work in BC and in Nunvaut — often working from my “mobile office,” a darling kitted-out van named “Vanna White.” UVic.ca+1
To me, all of this isn’t just a career. It’s about making the law reflect the reality of modern families — in all their beautiful diversity — and helping people build families and relationships with dignity, clarity, and fairness. UVic.ca+1
Today, I balance a blend of work I deeply care about, including:
Much of my work happens from a flexible workspace — sometimes an office and sometimes my fully kitted-out van, affectionately known as Vanna White.
Being able to practice law while travelling allows me to serve clients while living the lifestyle that fuels me.
My story is not just about legal work — it’s about:
✨ unconventional pathways
✨ resilience and reinvention
✨ redefining what a legal career can look like
✨ building families — legally, emotionally, and socially
I’m deeply grateful to UVic for chronicling this journey — and for everyone who’s been part of it.
Despite the freedom of the open road, Kinney remains busy. She’s currently leading a project with the Law Society of Nunavut to create training on family violence for frontline workers. She works as a mediator with the Northwest Territories Family Mediation Program. And through her private practice, she helps separating clients mediate creative outcomes and provides legal support for intentional family-building. She says she also does her best to help people understand that “cohabitation agreements are sexy!”
📍 Road Lawyer — UVic Alumni Feature on Michelle KinneyIf you’re curious about the full story, check out the “Road Lawyer” feature here:
Road Lawyer — UVic Alumni Feature on Michelle Kinney
Here’s to continued growth, transformation — and maybe a few more miles on the road ahead.
