By Afro Diaspora Pulse Magazine
From courtroom deliberations to community advocacy, Kayla M. Stephenson is a powerhouse of legal expertise and social justice. With a career spanning 17 years, including a tenure with Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General, she has positioned herself as a leading voice in mediation, arbitration, and adjudication. Her unwavering commitment to equity, trauma-informed legal processes, and accessibility in the justice system is transforming lives and institutions alike.
A Visionary Legal Professional Bridging Gaps in Justice
As the Owner of Kaye Legal & Mediation Services, Stephenson specializes in family law, administrative law, and access to justice initiatives, bringing a community-first approach to mediation, arbitration, and parenting coordination. Her mission is clear: to provide affordable and accessible legal services that prioritize psychological safety and culturally responsive justice.
Beyond her firm, Stephenson serves as a part-time Adjudicator for the City of Toronto and the City of Vaughan, overseeing high-stakes legal disputes and applying her expertise in the Ontario Provincial Offences Act, Municipal Act, and Highway Traffic Act. Her judicial temperament, combined with her ability to interpret complex legislation, positions her as a leading voice in modern adjudication.
Advancing Racial Equity and Systemic Legal Reform
Stephenson’s impact extends beyond individual cases. As the Chair of the Race Equity and Advisory Committee for the Association of Community Legal Clinics of Ontario, she spearheads policies aimed at dismantling racial disparities in the legal system. Under her leadership, legal clinics across Ontario have implemented progressive diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies that prioritize representation and systemic change.
Her influence in community legal reform is equally profound. Since 2016, she has been an integral part of the North Peel Dufferin Community Legal Clinic, where she made history in 2021 as its first Black woman Chair of the Board. Her tenure has led to critical advancements in legal aid accessibility for underserved populations, reinforcing her legacy as an advocate for social justice and human rights.
Accolades and Industry Recognition
Stephenson’s contributions have been recognized on multiple platforms. She has been honored with:
- Afropolitan’s Trailblazer Award (2022)
- The Honourable Lincoln Alexander Award (2022)
- Top 100 Black Women to Watch (2022)
- 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women Award (2024)
These accolades reflect her unwavering commitment to reforming legal frameworks and ensuring that justice serves all communities equitably.
Thought Leadership and Public Engagement
Stephenson’s impact extends into public legal education and thought leadership. She actively mentors the next generation of legal professionals while championing racial and gender equity in law. This Black History Month, she will participate in several high-profile engagements, including:
- Panel discussions on legal professionals managing trauma in client relationships with the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL).
- The Julius Alexander Moot competition, where she will serve as a judge, guiding aspiring Black law students in advocacy and legal reasoning.
- The Unapologetically Bold panel, amplifying the voices of Black women in corporate and legal spaces.
- The Enroute2Success Gloria Baylis Fireside Chat, where she will discuss systemic change alongside Frank Baylis and playwright Denee Rudder.
A Lasting Legacy in Law and Justice
Beyond litigation and arbitration, Stephenson is a thought leader shaping the national conversation on justice reform. She holds multiple certifications in Adjudication, Family Law, and Judicial Competencies from Osgoode Hall Law School, reinforcing her intellectual and practical expertise in the field. As an Accredited Diversity Facilitator and a member of the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators (SOAR) and the Canadian Institute for Access to Justice (CIAJ), her advocacy continues to redefine the legal landscape.
As we celebrate Black History Month, Kayla M. Stephenson stands as a testament to resilience, leadership, and transformative justice. Her work is not merely about winning cases—it is about reshaping the system to be more inclusive, equitable, and reflective of the communities it serves. Her name is not just a part of the legal profession; it is a driving force behind its future evolution.
Afro Diaspora Pulse Magazine proudly recognizes Kayla M. Stephenson as a trailblazer whose influence transcends the courtroom and reaches into the heart of communities in need of justice. Her legacy is one of impact, advocacy, and a vision for a better, more equitable legal future.
