Name:
Ronald C. E. Dabor
Firm:
Legal Aid
City:
I work in
Age:
Still under 50
Current
Gig: Recipient of Canadian Mental Health Association outstanding volunteer
service award. Ronald Dabor has helped many people with mental illnesses and
their families in his role as duty counsel at the mental health court in
A: I am an empathic listener.
A: People who genuinely care about the
welfare of others.
Q: What profession other than your own would
you like to attempt?
A: In Grade 4, my class was given a test to
explore what careers we might be interested in. I still have a very clear
recollection of answering the questions so that the test results would suggest
I pursue a career in law. It was no surprise afterwards when my teacher asked
me if I had ever thought about becoming a lawyer. I have wanted to be a lawyer
for as long as I can remember.
A: Dylan McDermott (Bobby Donnell on The
Practice)
A: Anthony (Tony) Williams, Crown Attorney
for Dufferin and Peel. He is also a true gentleman.
A: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the
Night-Time by Mark Haddon. A remarkable novel written from the perspective of
an autistic young man.
A: In the first instance, the work I do is
not particularly happy work. And because of the nature of my position, I get a
lot of abuse hurled at me. However, it is rewarding to see that person again
after they are back on their medication. Sometimes they will remember what they
said to me and offer their apologies. On a lighter note, I did assist a
colourful fellow earlier this year who advised the Court he made his living as
a 'chicken catcher' and I try to put that out of my mind when I am at Swiss
Chalet.
Q: What was your first job?
A: A busboy in a family-style restaurant. My
first law-related job was as a summer student with the Legal Services Branch of
the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
A: A delicious roast beef dinner, followed by
slow dancing with my wife under the stars, with a view overlooking the city.
A: 1. The love and affection of my wife and
four daughters.
2. My Wednesday morning men's Bible
study.
3. Chocolate
4. Nocturne with Arlene Meadows on
Classical 96.3 FM and the music of The Eagles and Linda Ronstadt.
5. High-speed Internet service.
A: One of my dreams is to someday own a
Mustang convertible. Apart from that, in the course of a month, I can savour
several modest victories — not victories in an adversarial context, because the
work I do is very much a collaboration with the men and women of our Crown's
office and our courthouse mental health staff — but victories in the sense that
I helped someone get the treatment they needed or I was able to spare them the
burden of a criminal record. I want to continue serving in the courts in one
capacity or another for many years to come and I believe my best work is still
ahead of me.
Q: What has been your greatest challenge?
A: Public speaking. I was "accelerated" in
public school and, as a result, I was typically the youngest person in my class
and quite shy. Duty counsel is an excellent way for new lawyers to learn the
law, the art of advocacy, and grow in self-confidence. Many years later, I am
now at a point where I feel very much at home in the courtroom.
A: Criminal duty counsel, mental health
specialist.
A: I should no longer be surprised by this,
but far too many persons with mental illness continue to find themselves in
contact with the police and the courts.
A: Waiting lists for beds, for treatment, for
residential placements. However, as a result of the substantial and ongoing
investment by the provincial government in community mental health services in
January of this year, this is a particularly satisfying time to be working in
this field.
A: Atticus Finch, as portrayed by Gregory
Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird — the epitome of what a father and a lawyer
should be. From real life, I have been inspired by the leadership demonstrated
by several men and women with whom I have served on different non-profit
boards.
