News

In honour of National Access to Justice Week, we are highlighting Schulich Law alumnus Dinyar Marzban ('81), whose experiences working with Dalhousie Legal Aid Service (DLAS) ignited his interest in access to justice issues and pro bono work.

This story originally appeared in the 2024 edition of Hearsay, the Schulich School of Law Alumni Magazine.

Though Dinyar Marzban, K.C. (’81) has spent most of his professional life in Vancouver, he didn’t get his start there. Born to Iranian parents living in India, his family moved multiple times during his youth: back to Iran, then to Europe, before immigrating to Canada in 1967. Although sometimes tough to appreciate as a child, the broad exposure to different cultures served him well. He graduated high school in Quebec, then returned home to attend the University of British Columbia for his undergraduate degree.

Although Marzban had an interest in debate and politics during high school, a career in law wasn’t on his radar. After he finished his degree, he alternated between travel and work while he figured out his next move. During his travels he read the novel QB VII by Leon Uris, a gripping courtroom drama about a fictionalized defamation trial, leaving him certain that he wanted to be a trial lawyer.

“It was probably a bit of a romantic notion, but it actually stuck,” he says. Before long he was moving across the country once again, this time to attend the Schulich School of Law.

After settling into his legal studies, Marzban was eager to start using his new knowledge to help people. He began volunteering at Dalhousie Legal Aid Service (fondly known as “the Clinic”) for credit, which seemed like a natural choice. It was there that he witnessed the critical need from the community for access to criminal and family law. The hands-on, immersive experience left a lasting impact on him, leading to a lifelong interest in access to justice issues and pro bono work. He continued to be inspired by the work of fellow alumni including Lee Cohen (’80) and Anne Derrick (’80).

Marzban recalls a meaningful encounter early in his career in family court. While hurrying out of the courthouse for another commitment, he noticed an unrepresented litigant in some distress. Pressed for time, he was unable to represent the woman himself but still approached her to ask about the case. Feeling that it had some merit, he took ten minutes to jot down some advice for her submissions, wished her good luck and left it at that. A few days later, the woman sent a note thanking him.

“She said, ‘You were like an angel that came down from heaven to rescue me,’” he shares. “It felt like it was the least effort I’d put into anything that whole day but to her, it was transformative. She felt like I’d saved her life.”

Experiences like this one motivated him to focus his giving on the Clinic, ensuring future law students are able to witness the positive impact they can have on the lives of community members, particularly for underserved or vulnerable populations. Specifically, he recognizes an increasing demand for legal aid in family law, complementing the Clinic’s extensive involvement in housing and tenancy matters.

After relocating to Vancouver, he began dropping by the Clinic when he’d travel to Halifax for work, asking then Executive Director Donna Franey (’86) what projects they had, big or small, that were in need of extra support. Touching base with her became a yearly tradition and when she retired, he kept up the connection with current Executive Director Megan Longley, K.C. ('94).

Marzban’s involvement helps ensure the Clinic can direct funds toward its areas of greatest need, which results in a deeper educational experience for students and enhanced assistance for its clients. Through opportunities enabled by his giving, he hopes that more students are empowered to create positive change in society.