Lawyers
What are the goals of PBSC?
For Lawyers and Organizations… to provide under-represented and disadvantaged communities with pro bono legal services and to give public interest organizations and agencies access to highly skilled and committed volunteers.
Lawyers can become involved with PBSC in two ways:
If you are working pro bono on a particular case, our students can support you in your work by doing legal research and writing. We will match you with a dedicated student who matches your skill and interest requirements. Please contact our coordinator to find out more about the ways in which a student volunteer help you. Lawyers can also volunteer to act as an ADVISOR to a student doing a pro bono placement.
Why does PBSC need you?
PBSC is presently expanding its operations, due to an increase in demand from both students and community organizations. We are thus seeking practicing lawyers to participate in our advisor program to help law student volunteers who are engaged in pro bono work for public interest organizations.All student work must be supervised by a practicing lawyer. Many of the smaller community organizations with which we work do not have a lawyer on staff or on their board of directors. When an organization has no access to a mentor, PBSC must be in a position to recommend a member of the bar to act as mentor for the project.
What are the benefits of your participation in the PBSC program?
Mentoring allows you to contribute to the development and well being of our community as you will be providing pro bono services to those in need of them. You will contribute to the development of our law students who will gain invaluable practical experience from this unique introduction to the legal profession. It is a wonderful opportunity for you and/or your employer to create bonds with future bar members and community organizations. PBSC can also help you with litigation support and background legal research for your pro bono cases.
What is the commitment involved?
If you chose to become involved with PBSC, your name will be added to a roster of lawyers who have expressed interest in serving as advisors. If a student working on a project in your area of specialization/interest is in need of a supervisor, we will contact you to see if you are available. Student projects usually last from mid-September until the end of March. During this time advisors serve as a source of guidance for the student. They also review the final output of the student’s work. The average time required from lawyers who are serving as advisors is between 5 and 10 hours per year.
How to become involved?
To become involved with PBSC, please contact the law school in your area. You can find contact information for each law school under the PBSC Schools link.
“I have had the pleasure of working with talented and enthusiastic University of Calgary law students who are dedicated to contributing to their community. Less fortunate Calgarians and the organizations that assist such people have been helped, students have received the benefit of learn¬ing what it is like to practice law, and the lawyers receive welcome additional help and the energy that comes with working with young people.”
Doug Yoshida, lawyer with McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Calgary
