Shandell McCarthy

Shandell McCarthy was born in Whitehorse, Yukon. She is of Yukon First Nation descent and a proud mother of three. She brings a unique perspective to her practice, deeply rooted in her experiences and understanding of the trans-generational impacts that Residential and Day schools have had on the spiritual and cultural practices of Indigenous people and on their family dynamics and relationships. She is committed to assisting you through strong advocacy and culturally sensitive legal representation that respects your rights and dignity throughout your engagement with the criminal justice system.

Shandell obtained a Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina in 2003 and a Juris Doctor from the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia in 2017. She was called to the Yukon Bar in 2018 and subsequently to the Alberta Bar in 2022.

Shandell comes to MD Law Group with over 5 years of experience as a Crown attorney at both the Federal and Provincial level. She developed experience in various areas of criminal law, specifically in domestic assaults, criminal code driving offences, sexual assault, basic assaults to aggravated assaults, property offences and Judicial Interim Release and Referral hearings. She has experience working in specialized courts and also has experience sitting on Review Boards.

Shandell is engaged in continuous professional development which is essential for staying on top of the ever-evolving legal landscape and maintaining a high standard of practice. As laws, regulations, and legal precedents constantly evolve, ongoing learning ensures that she remains knowledgeable about the latest developments in criminal law. For example, Shandell’s training from RCMP on the proper methods for obtaining breath samples on ASD and ECR II IR devices, enables her to leverage that knowledge to your advantage in defending against impaired driving charges. Additionally, her training in Gladue Report writing will help to ensure that our Indigenous clients receive reports that accurately reflect their history and provide meaningful treatment and rehabilitation options, empowering the courts to craft sentences that are fit and appropriate to their circumstances.

Prior to attending law school, Shandell worked for and on behalf of Self-Governing Yukon First Nations within the field of education. She was a leader in that area for many years, working to advance the education of Yukon first nation children. She previously sat as Chair of the Yukon Training Policy Committee and as Co-Chair for the Yukon College Board of Governors. Most recently, Shandell took a year away from the practice of law to work on opening the first Indigenous run Women and Children’s shelter within the Yukon Territory. Shandell is a tireless advocate who does not give up easily when she feels passionately about something and she will be passionate about defending you and your rights.  

In her personal time, Shandell enjoys golfing, photography, creative journalling, reading, and spending time with her children.