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Pro Bono Law Alberta - A New Network

by Rod Jerke, QC, Bencher and Chair, Pro Bono Committee

Rod Jerke

Agreement was reached at the conclusion of a stakeholders’ round table on pro bono legal services October 20-21 to create a new provincial pro bono organization. The formation of a provincial network of pro bono legal services is part of the pro bono strategic plan adopted by the Benchers in 2003. As part of the strategic plan, the Law Society of Alberta believes that pro bono services must complement, not replace, a properly funded legal aid program.

An initiative of the Law Society of Alberta, the stakeholders’ round table brought together delegates from across the province to discuss and reach consensus on the need to develop a provincial network. The two dozen roundtable participants also achieved consensus on what its objectives should be, a model structure for the network and an action plan for implementation.

Jim Peacock, president-elect of the Law Society, was a key-note speaker and outlined the LSA objectives in upholding and preserving equal and effective access to justice, and in facilitating lawyers’ endeavours in the provision of pro bono legal services.

Lynn Burns, executive director of Pro Bono Law Ontario, who attended the roundtable as a guest speaker, outlined the comprehensive array of pro bono services and projects sponsored by Pro Bono Law Ontario. Its projects include partnerships between law firms and not-for-profit organizations that have enabled First Nations artists to market their work, established a micro-entrepreneurial lending project, supported affordable housing though Habitat for Humanity, and fostered a “tele-justice” project which pairs city lawyers with community legal workers in remote regions of the province.

Both presentations sparked extensive discussion about the many potential ways in which an Alberta-wide network could benefit people who are ineligible for legal aid and who are not able to pay for legal services. Merrill Cooper, consultant and facilitator, indicated that the demographics in Alberta will change over the next 25 years. This will mean an increased demand for legal services.

In small group discussions, four main objectives for Pro Bono Law Alberta were determined:

Increase the scope of legal matters handled by pro bono clinics;
Increase the capacity of existing clinics to serve a high volume of clients;
Augment the clinics with other pro bono programs; and,
Increase accessibility to pro bono services, particularly to rural and remote areas in the province.

The model for Pro Bono Law Alberta would include:

A governance structure with a board of directors comprised of representatives of the clinics, Law Society of Alberta and other stakeholders.
Staff consisting of a full-time executive director with adequate staffing resources.

Overall it would:

Be sustainable in the long term,
Enhance and increase the effectiveness of lawyers’ pro bono contribution, and
Improve access to justice.

Its core purpose, functions, and guiding principles will be further developed by a newly-formed working group. The group will develop and present an implementation plan to round table participants for ratification by February 15, 2007.

Key Milestones of Pro Bono Network Initiative:

1998 - LSA forms standing Pro Bono Committee.

2001 - Calgary Legal Guidance celebrates 30-year anniversary.

2002 - The Edmonton Centre for Equal Justice opens local pro bono legal clinic.

2003 - Benchers adopt Pro Bono committee’s strategy on delivery of pro bono services, entitled Pro Bono Publico – for the Public Good.

2004 - Consultation process starts on proposed Red Deer pro bono legal clinic. Strategic plan developed to implement the Pro Bono Publico report.

2005 - The Pro Bono Committee’s strategic plan results in four Alberta initiatives: (1) Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic (CACLC) becomes a reality in Red Deer; (2) new membership designation approved to permit retired and inactive lawyers to provide pro bono services; (3) pro bono award category established as part of CBA/LSA Distinguished Service Award, and (4) consultation process begins to open a pro bono legal clinic in Lethbridge.

2006 - In January 2006, CACLC opens its doors in Red Deer. The Edmonton Centre for Equal Justice continues operations as an independent not-for-profit charitable organi-zation. Lethbridge Legal Guidance becomes a not-for-profit working towards opening a local pro bono legal clinic.