Sarah Teich: Top 25 Most Influential Lawyer shares her fight for human rights

In this edition of Canadian Lawyer TV, we sat down with Sarah Teich, co-founder and president of the Human Rights Action Group, to discuss her recent recognition as one of Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers for 2024. This prestigious accolade highlights Teich’s dedication to human rights law and her tireless efforts to seek justice for victims of atrocity crimes and human rights abuses around the world.

Teich’s passion for human rights stems from a personal connection. “I had family members die in the Holocaust. Since I was a child, I really wanted to spend my career making sure that mass atrocities were combated to the best of our ability,” she shared. Her commitment to this cause has seen her represent clients at all levels of court and testify before important legislative bodies, including the Canadian House of Commons and the UK House of Lords.

Teich’s recognition extends beyond professional accolades, as she has been equally humbled by the support and appreciation from her clients. “I’ve also received the Tamil Rights Defender of the Year Award from the Tamil Rights Group, and CSRDN is a group that I advise as well. It’s meaningful, especially knowing that clients find the impact of our work valuable, and that peers find the value of the work impressive. It’s an incredible combination,” she said. While her work can be emotionally challenging, Teich manages the demands of her career through a strong focus on well-being. “Therapy, regular exercise, and healthy eating are all key to maintaining mental health,” she shared, ensuring she can continue to advocate for justice.

In addition to her work with the Human Rights Action Group, Teich has also served as a senior fellow at the MacDonald Laurier Institute, where she focused on foreign policy and international law. “It’s been an exciting role. It’s great to give a platform to some of the issues I work on. When we do a targeted sanctions submission or strategic litigation, the MacDonald Laurier Institute is often willing to publish an opinion piece on it,” she explained.

Looking ahead, Teich’s priority is expanding her organization’s pro bono services. “We co-founded a charity to grow our team and take on more cases, continuing the work we love,” she added.

To learn more about Sarah Teich’s remarkable contributions to human rights law, click here to watch the full interview.