TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Bridging the Gap: Facilitating A2J by van and boat
Time: 11:30 a.m.(MT)
Presented by the Canadian Bar Association - British Columbia
Person-centred justice includes meeting people and populations where they are – literally! In rural and remote locations, access to a professional who can provide situation-specific legal information and advice can be difficult to come by and often leads to the development, continuation and exacerbation of legal and law related problems. Based on their outreach and understanding of local needs, two organizations have taken a mobile approach in different geographies and communities.
Join this session to hear first hand about the creation and impact of the WellCoMs Mobile Van initiative in Guelph and Wellington County, Ontario, and the Making Waves initiative in and around Bella Coola, BC.
Time: 11:30 a.m.(MT)
Presented by the Canadian Bar Association - British Columbia
Person-centred justice includes meeting people and populations where they are – literally! In rural and remote locations, access to a professional who can provide situation-specific legal information and advice can be difficult to come by and often leads to the development, continuation and exacerbation of legal and law related problems. Based on their outreach and understanding of local needs, two organizations have taken a mobile approach in different geographies and communities.
Join this session to hear first hand about the creation and impact of the WellCoMs Mobile Van initiative in Guelph and Wellington County, Ontario, and the Making Waves initiative in and around Bella Coola, BC.
Making the Most of Pro Bono
Time: 12:00 p.m. (MT)
Presented by the Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch
Pro bono legal services are an important element in improving access to justice in Alberta, and many lawyers generously give of their time volunteering for pro bono organizations around the province. But how can lawyers make the most of their pro bono experience, both for themselves and their clients?
Subject-matter experts from Pro Bono Law Alberta will share the latest innovations in the delivery of pro bono legal service, and some best practices lawyers can implement when volunteering. Then, a panel of dedicated pro bono volunteers will join to discuss how volunteering has benefitted them and their practice – from the perspective of an early-career lawyer, a senior lawyer, and a lawyer who coordinates pro bono activities for their firm.
Time: 12:00 p.m. (MT)
Presented by the Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch
Pro bono legal services are an important element in improving access to justice in Alberta, and many lawyers generously give of their time volunteering for pro bono organizations around the province. But how can lawyers make the most of their pro bono experience, both for themselves and their clients?
Subject-matter experts from Pro Bono Law Alberta will share the latest innovations in the delivery of pro bono legal service, and some best practices lawyers can implement when volunteering. Then, a panel of dedicated pro bono volunteers will join to discuss how volunteering has benefitted them and their practice – from the perspective of an early-career lawyer, a senior lawyer, and a lawyer who coordinates pro bono activities for their firm.
Free Legal Immigration Clinic 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m. (MT)
Presented by Pro Bono Law Alberta
It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the first-ever Free Legal Immigration Clinic 2024, hosted by Pro Bono Law Alberta (PBLA) on February 6, 2024 at the Calgary Central Library from 2:00PM to 7:30PM. The clinic is designed to provide a 30-minute consultation to guide individuals through the complexities of immigration law with a volunteer lawyer.
Time: 2:00 p.m. (MT)
Presented by Pro Bono Law Alberta
It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the first-ever Free Legal Immigration Clinic 2024, hosted by Pro Bono Law Alberta (PBLA) on February 6, 2024 at the Calgary Central Library from 2:00PM to 7:30PM. The clinic is designed to provide a 30-minute consultation to guide individuals through the complexities of immigration law with a volunteer lawyer.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Community Legal Clinic Ask-a-Lawyer
Time: 11:00 a.m. (MT)
Presented by Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic
Have a Legal Question? Volunteer lawyers from the Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic will provide a half an hour of free legal advice in civil, family, and criminal law.
Time: 11:00 a.m. (MT)
Presented by Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic
Have a Legal Question? Volunteer lawyers from the Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic will provide a half an hour of free legal advice in civil, family, and criminal law.
Collaborative Approaches to Access to Justice: Exploring the Benefits of Articling Students Volunteering in Pro Bono Clinics
Time: 3:30 p.m. (MT)
Presented by ECLC
Join us for an insightful webinar that explores how law firms and legal clinics can enhance access to justice through the involvement of articling students in pro bono clinics. We will be joined by Professor Les McCrimmon, who will discuss the benefits articling students gain through engaging in pro bono work as well as the benefits to the profession at large. We will then hear from Iain Walker, partner at Parlee McLaws LLP, who will discuss the benefits from a firm's perspective of including volunteerism in the articling experience.
Email Suzie at [email protected] to register.
Time: 3:30 p.m. (MT)
Presented by ECLC
Join us for an insightful webinar that explores how law firms and legal clinics can enhance access to justice through the involvement of articling students in pro bono clinics. We will be joined by Professor Les McCrimmon, who will discuss the benefits articling students gain through engaging in pro bono work as well as the benefits to the profession at large. We will then hear from Iain Walker, partner at Parlee McLaws LLP, who will discuss the benefits from a firm's perspective of including volunteerism in the articling experience.
Email Suzie at [email protected] to register.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Gendered Aspects of Legal Aid
Time: 10:00 a.m. (MT)
Presented by the Canadian Bar Association - British Columbia Branch
Learn about how empirical research has found that legal aid eligibility thresholds lead to disproportionate ineligibility of single women who are in poverty, compared to other specific groups, as well as about the application of Canada’s legal framework for equality and what both suggest in terms of program design and population-based access to justice.
We note that this session builds on a webinar discussion about the legal aid landscape in BC that will occur on February 6, by diving into the impact of legal aid rules and criteria.
Time: 10:00 a.m. (MT)
Presented by the Canadian Bar Association - British Columbia Branch
Learn about how empirical research has found that legal aid eligibility thresholds lead to disproportionate ineligibility of single women who are in poverty, compared to other specific groups, as well as about the application of Canada’s legal framework for equality and what both suggest in terms of program design and population-based access to justice.
We note that this session builds on a webinar discussion about the legal aid landscape in BC that will occur on February 6, by diving into the impact of legal aid rules and criteria.
Youth legal needs and the current youth-service landscape in BC
Time: 11:30 a.m. (MT)
Presented by the Canadian Bar Association - British Columbia Branch
Join Pro Bono Students Canada and Access to Justice BC to learn about post-COVID child and youth legal needs, how they are currently being met by youth services across the province, and how they could be addressed through systems change that supports child and youth meaningful participation, particularly in family and child protection matters.
In this interactive session, the speakers will share preliminary themes coming out of research about youth legal needs and peer support, and share A2JBC’s plans to create a Youth Connectors prototype that draws upon the research findings, as well as the leadership and input of young people with lived experience.
Time: 11:30 a.m. (MT)
Presented by the Canadian Bar Association - British Columbia Branch
Join Pro Bono Students Canada and Access to Justice BC to learn about post-COVID child and youth legal needs, how they are currently being met by youth services across the province, and how they could be addressed through systems change that supports child and youth meaningful participation, particularly in family and child protection matters.
In this interactive session, the speakers will share preliminary themes coming out of research about youth legal needs and peer support, and share A2JBC’s plans to create a Youth Connectors prototype that draws upon the research findings, as well as the leadership and input of young people with lived experience.
A Conversation with Mickey Amery, Alberta Minister of Justice
Time: 1:30 p.m. (MT)
Presented by the Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch
CBA Alberta President Kyle Kawanami as he sits down with Minister Amery to discuss justice initiatives that he has implemented since he was sworn in as Minister of Justice on June 9, 2023, as well as his future plans for Alberta’s justice portfolio.
Time: 1:30 p.m. (MT)
Presented by the Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch
CBA Alberta President Kyle Kawanami as he sits down with Minister Amery to discuss justice initiatives that he has implemented since he was sworn in as Minister of Justice on June 9, 2023, as well as his future plans for Alberta’s justice portfolio.
YLL Virtual Speed Networking
Time: 6:30 p.m. (MT)
This YLL and A2JBC hosted event will bring together high school and undergraduate students to gain insights into the law school student experience at five different universities across Western Canada. Students can ask questions about a law student's daily life, the admissions process, and career prospects.
The event will be a valuable chance for youth interested in studying law to establish connections and learn more about the path to pursue their passions.
Time: 6:30 p.m. (MT)
This YLL and A2JBC hosted event will bring together high school and undergraduate students to gain insights into the law school student experience at five different universities across Western Canada. Students can ask questions about a law student's daily life, the admissions process, and career prospects.
The event will be a valuable chance for youth interested in studying law to establish connections and learn more about the path to pursue their passions.
Do you have an event you would like us to promote during Access to Justice Week? Are you hosting a lecture, an open house, a legal clinic or other event during or around Access to Justice Week? We want to help you promote it! Contact Us to have your event listed here.
Some of Our Partners
Pro Bono Law Alberta (PBLA) was launched as a legacy project in recognition of the centenary of the Law Society of Alberta in 2007, and we are a leader and valued partner in fostering pro bono contributions by the legal community to facilitate access to justice for Albertans. |
Calgary Legal Guidance (CLG) is a non-governmental non-profit organization that provides legal assistance to low-income and disadvantaged people. Volunteer lawyers provide free legal advice to low-income individuals, provide free legal education presentations and materials to members of the public and take on cases for free (pro bono). |
The Edmonton Community Legal Centre (ECLC) is a non-profit organization that has been providing legal assistance to individuals living with low income for the past 17 years. Volunteer lawyers provide free legal advice and staff lawyers provide free legal representation. |
