About Audrey L Barrett Consulting

At Audrey L Barrett Consulting, I combine my legal background, user-centred experience, and deep understanding of human behavior to assist justice professionals in navigating complex legal environments with clarity and confidence. 

I founded my practice after many years of working within, alongside, and in support of the justice system—experiences that shaped my commitment to user-centred, accessible, and informed approaches to modernization and transformation of legal processes. I hold an Honours B.Sc. in psychology and neuroscience, along with an LL.B. and LL.M. from Dalhousie's Schulich School of Law, and I began my legal career clerking for the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal. 

For over a decade, I have engaged in social context education, providing guidance, insight, and facilitation to courts, judges, and legal professionals across Canada and beyond. My journey began internationally with roles in Gambia and Jamaica, before serving as Senior Advisor and Counsel at the National Judicial Institute in Ottawa from 2013 to 2019. Most recently, I worked as Counsel with the Secretariat for the Action Committee on Modernizing Court Operations, supporting judges and court administrators as they addressed emerging challenges and implemented innovations to improve court modernization and access to justice across Canada. These experiences have equipped me with a nuanced understanding of the judicial and legal landscapes, as well as the realities that decision-makers and legal professionals face every day. 

My work is equally rooted in over twenty years of human-centred and restorative practice. I have dedicated much of my career to helping justice systems evolve in ways that prioritize people's needs, lived experiences, and safety. From 2010 to 2012, I served as the National Technical Advisor on Restorative Justice for the Jamaican Ministry of Justice. Later, with the Nova Scotia Department of Justice, I was the Restorative Justice Coordinator and Director of the Restorative Initiatives Unit from 2019-2023. I also Co-Chaired the Integrated Support Model Table, which united cross-sector partners to provide more human-centred and integrated support to survivors and families affected by the 2020 Nova Scotia Mass Casualty. These experiences deepened my understanding of system design, trauma-informed practice, and the importance of collaborative responses to complex issues, especially regarding identity and social context. 

My foundation in psychology and neuroscience plays a key role in my work. Through academic study and lived experience, I have developed a strong understanding of the nervous system and practical approaches to balance and wellbeing—insights that are particularly relevant for legal professionals operating in high-stress and trauma-exposed environments. 

Clients often express that what they value most is the sense of safety, clarity, and groundedness I bring to our collaborative efforts. I strive to create an environment where individuals feel supported, respected, and able to discuss openly the challenges they encounter. My goal is not to prescribe answers but to offer information and guidance that empower individuals and organizations to make thoughtful, well-supported decisions for themselves and those they serve.