by Jamie Maclaren

Troubled economic times bring increased need for pro bono legal services, and increased pro bono capacity and opportunity on the flip side. As law firms experience a cyclical slow-down in some departments, pro bono serves as an effective vehicle for skills development and an excellent morale booster for lawyers. Small firm lawyers and sole practitioners also benefit from pro bono by honing their skills and broadening their practice areas. And no matter the state of the economy, doing pro bono always feels good. So where can lawyers find pro bono opportunities that are both deserving and fulfilling?

Fortunately, British Columbia is very organized in the variety and scope of pro bono opportunities that it offers to its lawyers. Whether a lawyer seeks to assist low-income individuals or non-profit organizations of limited means, there are several options from which to choose – ranging from opportunities to staff clinics on the front lines of pro bono, to opportunities that can be served directly from the office.

Pro Bono Legal Advice Opportunities
The Western Canada Society to Access Justice and the Salvation Army Pro Bono Program both operate pro bono legal advice clinics throughout the province. In their clinics, lawyers meet with low-income individuals in half-hour appointments to provide summary legal advice in all areas of the law. Lawyers typically commit two to four hours per month to the clinics, and do not assume responsibility for ongoing assistance or underlying administrative arrangements. Access Justice and the Salvation Army engage lawyers according to their capacity and areas of expertise.

To volunteer as a clinic lawyer, call Access Justice at 604-482-3195 or the Salvation Army at 604-694-6647.

Pro Bono Legal Representation Opportunities
Pro Bono Law of B.C. (PBLBC) operates several roster programs whereby litigators and solicitors provide pro bono assistance and representation to individuals and non-profit organizations of limited means in specific areas of the law. Such areas include: appellate law, family law, judicial review, wills and estates law, mediation and charity and non-profit law. For each roster program, PBLBC receives screened client referrals from lawyers, advocates and law students, and then presents meritorious opportunities to roster lawyers according to their location, stated interest and capacity. Roster lawyers can pursue or pass on pro bono opportunities as they see fit.

PBLBC also operates the Civil Chambers Duty Counsel Project at the Vancouver courthouse. The Project provides one-day representation services to low-income individuals appearing in Court of Appeal and Supreme Court civil chambers. It is in dire need of small firm lawyers and sole practitioners to assist and represent respondents in foreclosure and bankruptcy proceedings.

All of the above pro bono opportunities are open to practising, non-practising, in-house, government and retired lawyers alike, since PBLBC extends full insurance coverage to lawyers involved in approved programs. Limited disbursement coverage is also available to lawyers who provide pro bono representation to low-income individuals, whatever the source of the file.

There are many more pro bono opportunities available to B.C. lawyers through independent programs and law schools. To volunteer as a PBLBC roster lawyer or for information on other pro bono programs, contact PBLBC at 604-893-8932 or at info@probononet.bc.ca.

Jamie Maclaren, Executive Director, Pro Bono Law of British Columbia

This article was published in the February 2009 issue of BarTalk. © 2009 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.