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Rule Amendment Increases Pro Bono Opportunities
Approved amendments to Rule 148(2) and (2.1) extends the protection of insurance coverage for additional clinics and pro bono operations, including the Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic, Lethbridge Legal Guidance, the Children's Legal and Educational Resource Centre, and Pro Bono Law Alberta. The name of the Edmonton Centre for Equal Justice was amended to the Edmonton Community Legal Centre. The amendment of Rule 148(2.1) is to allow lawyers who are exempt from the insurance requirement (corporate/government status and "for pro bono legal services only" status) to be insured for the purpose of volunteering pro bono legal services rendered through the listed organization. 
| Website Address Has Been Updated |
The Law Society of Alberta's website address has changed to be more consistent with other law societies across the country. It is now www.lawsociety.ab.ca. In your internet browser, please refresh your Favorites tab with this updated website address. | |
Sustainable Core Funding Enables PBLA to Focus on Projects
Susan V.R.Billington QC, Acting Executive Director, Pro Bono Law Alberta
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Bencher approval of sustainable core funding will now enable Pro Bono Law Alberta to actively focus on program and project development.
At their December 2007 meeting, the Benchers passed a resolution committing LSA's participation to the ongoing operational funding for PBLA for the next three years. As well, the Alberta Law Foundation approved PBLAs operating grant for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. PBLA is the legacy project of the Law Society in celebration of its 100th Anniversary in 2007. The strategic plan, adopted by the PBLA directors in September 2007, articulates a mission that is driven by a vision of access to justice for all regardless of ability to pay for legal services.
Legal Aid Alberta plays a major role in this vision. Pro bono legal services are meant to complement and do not substitute for a properly funded legal aid system. With that being said, there will likely always
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be circumstances where Legal Aid does not provide coverage for some low income individuals who require legal service. Priorities were identified in the PBLA strategic plan to accomplish the mission:
- 1. obtaining ongoing sustainable operational funding; and
- 2. program and project development.
"With the operational funding in place, we are very pleased we can focus on the key priority of organizing and promoting pro bono programs and projects for Alberta lawyers," says Rod Jerke, QC, PBLA President.
Program and project development will concentrate on these three areas: regional programs, representational projects, and law firm pro bono. It is also a main priority to work with the existing pro bono providers to maximize resources and program delivery. For more ways to become involved, contact the PBLA office at (403) 541-4840 or visit www.pbla.ca.  |
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Child Advocacy Pro Bono Project Assists Vulnerable Youth
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 Children and youth in Calgary and surrounding areas have the opportunity to access free legal assistance, representation, and legal education through a Child Advocacy Pro Bono project. The project was founded in Fall 2007 through a new joint initiative with national law firm Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, the Children's Legal Education Resource Centre (CLERC), brokered by Pro Bono Law Alberta. It will assist vulnerable children and youth to access fundamental legal services they would otherwise be unable to access or pay for in a variety of civil law matters.
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"BLG is committed to supporting our local communities, and is very proud to be a founding member of such an important initiative," said David Whelan, managing partner at BLG Calgary.
Rod Jerke, QC, President of Pro Bono Law Alberta noted: "As the first pro bono project brokered by Pro Bono Law Alberta, we could not have asked for a better first example of what the projects and programs of Pro Bono Law Alberta hope to accomplish."
"This project brings together the needs of a vulnerable group (children) together with a major law firm that provides the legal expertise for representation, education and research on a pro bono basis in Calgary." | |
