Organizations
What are the goals of PBSC?
For 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. For law students… to encourage students to volunteer in their communities, to provide students an opportunity to put their skills into practice, and to assist law students in assessing viable career options.
How can PBSC help you?
As a non-profit organization, you may have legal questions but lack the financial resources to compensate legal counsel. Pro Bono student volunteers have the skills to research your legal issues at no cost to your organization. We will match you with students who meet the skill and interest requirements for your projects.
Student work must be supervised by a lawyer. If your organization does not have a lawyer on staff, PBSC can find a lawyer to supervise the student’s work at no cost to you.
What kind of projects can students undertake?
- Research legal issues relevant to your organization’s work
- Research the impact of proposed new legislation
- Produce policy or background papers
- Perform public education, including presenting workshops and writing brochures
- Re-draft by-laws or update materials
- Outline areas of liability for your organization
- Contribute to advocacy work
PBSC cannot provide legal advice and should not be used as a substitution for consultation with a lawyer.
Student Commitment?
Students are expected to contribute a minimum of 3 hours per week to PBSC. In return, we ask your organization to ensure that the student will have adequate and relevant responsibilities while volunteering their time.
How to Benefit?
Contact the program coordinator who will be happy to answer any questions, mail you an application, or visit your office to discuss projects.
Submit an organization profile sheet and provide us with a clear description of the project or projects you have in mind for student involvement.
"I couldn't be more pleased with the work from our pro bono student, Adam Nathanson, in drafting case briefs on new human rights decisions to be used in our educational programs. Adam responds quickly and efficiently to my requests and works with minimal supervision. I haven't had to change a word!"
- Sarah Lugtig, counsel, Manitoba Human Rights Commission
"Our Agency, Vancouver & Lower Mainland Multicultural Family Support Services Society, provides culturally sensistive services to immigrant and visible minority women and children who are experiencing family violence. We greatly appreciate the invaluable support offered by the law students from PBSC at UBC, who provide free legal education to our clients at our office, helping those immigrant women who otherwise couldn't afford any kind of legal support, to access the justice system with more confidence and knowledge."
- Anna Foschi, Volunteer Coordinator (VLMMFSSS)
