Pro Bono Students Canada

"PBSC is a great experience for both the student and the participating organization. My experience with PBSC allowed for the opportunity to participate in projects that have had an impact on the direction of my legal career. Organizations who use the services of PBSC provide placements for students but also influence career path choices. Continued support of PBSC will help shape the legal career of future legal professionals."

Michelle Mulgrave, LL.B., Class of 2001

(Michelle Mulgrave found her current position at the Centre for Equality Rights in Accomodation through her PBSC placement)

Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) matches volunteer law students from 16 Canadian law schools with public interest organizations, government agencies and tribunals, and lawyers doing pro bono, reduced fee and/or public interest work. The students provide assistance in a variety of ways, including internet and other types of research on legal or policy matters; public legal education; and drafting policy papers, internal organization policies, and client manuals. Students are available from 3-10 hours throughout the academic year, and many continue their pro bono work throughout the summer. Through this program, students gain legal skills and experience, and a chance to explore different areas of law while contributing to the development of a community or cause.

PBSC needs the assistance of lawyers to ensure the success of our program. Here are some ways you can help!

1. If you have pro bono, reduced fee, or public interest work and require student assistance, please let us know and we will seek students to work with you.

2. All of our projects must have a lawyer supervisor, but some community organizations do not have a lawyer on staff or on their boards. To ensure that these organizations can accommodate student volunteers, we match lawyers in the community to act as supervisors to students working on these projects. Supervision requires only 5-10 hours a year. Without this supervision, certain organizations will go without much-needed assistance.

3. If you are associated with community organizations, please let them know about us - we can provide them with law student volunteers!

This is a great opportunity for Osgoode Hall alumni to interact with current Osgoode students, and to contribute valuable legal knowledge to the greater community. If you would like to participate or to learn more about Pro Bono Students Canada, please contact student coordinator Winnie Luk at (416) 736-2100 x22590, or by e-mail: probono@osgoode.yorku.ca. You can also contact Chantal Morton, Associate Director of Career Development, at (416) 736-5482.