She is a graduate of McGill University’s joint social work and law program, where she earned an MSW alongside her common law and civil law degrees. Upon graduation, Molly clerked for the honourable Justice Leonard Mandamin (ret.) at the Federal Court of Canada as he presided over a complex trial brought by seven Anishinaabeg First Nations in south-central Ontario about the 1923 Williams Treaties and honour of the Crown.

Molly entered law school with a desire to learn more about how the Canadian state justifies itself and conceptualizes its relationship with Indigenous nations from a legal standpoint. Throughout her time at law school, Molly sought out and created opportunities to learn not only about Canadian legal traditions, but also about Indigenous legal traditions and understandings of treaties. She is committed to continuing this learning.

Molly has appeared before all levels of Court in Ontario as well as before several administrative tribunals. Prior to joining JFK Law LLP in October 2022, Molly often traveled to northern Ontario to work with clients from Treaty 9, Treaty 5, and Treaty 3 territories. Her work included litigation and negotiation in the area of First Nations child welfare reform as well as police accountability work. Molly is thrilled to be joining JFK Law LLP as an associate in its Toronto office.

Molly grew up with her two brothers in Toronto and is the daughter of Irish-American immigrants to Canada. She loves basketball, baking, and her big extended family.

Education and Professional Affiliations

• Member of the Law Society of Ontario, 2017
• MSW/BCL/LLB, McGill University, 2016
• BA (Humanistic Studies & Women’ Studies), McGill University, 2010

Select Publications

• Churchill, M. & Sinha, V. “Reclaiming the spirit of Jordan’s Principle: Lessons from a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling”, Canadian Review of Social Policy, Vol. 78, 2018.
• Sussman, T. et al. “Supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender (LGBT) inclusivity in long-term care (LTC) homes: A Canadian Perspective”, Canadian Journal on Aging, March 2018.
• Churchill, M. McGill Faculty of Law Initiatives Relevant to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Report and Calls to Action (2016). Published by the Faculty for internal consultation and strategic planning purposes.
• McNeill, K. & Churchill, M. “Sea change for gender equity in Canada: great smoke, how much fire?”, OpenDemocracy 50.50 (November 2015).
• Jordan’s Principle Working Group (2015). Without Denial, Delay, or Disruption: Ensuring First Nations Children’s Access to Equitable Services Through Jordan’s Principle. Ottawa, ON: AFN.
• McWilliams, M., Yarnell, P., & Churchill, M. “Forced dependency and legal barriers: Implications of the UK’s immigration and social security policies for minoritized women living in abusive intimate relationships in Northern Ireland” in Oñati Socio-Legal Series, Vol. 5, No. 6, 2015.
• Churchill, M. “On knights, gentlemen, and fighting for what you believe in” in Contours: Voix de femmes en droit/Voices of Women in Law, Vol. 2 (Spring 2014)