ABOUT US
We envision a society with accessible legal systems, where the dignity and rights of every person are upheld. Our mission is to provide free legal support to people and communities facing barriers to justice.
OUR VALUES
dignity
We believe that every person is entitled to respect, to have their voice heard, and to fully enjoy their rights.
equity
We stand for substantive equality, inclusion, and diversity in all its forms. We focus on impact (not just good intentions).
humility
We prioritize listening, learning, and self-reflection. We value the wisdom of the communities we serve, and their lived experiences inform our work.
OUR APPROACH
COLLABORATIVE
We engage approximately 1,500 law students annually to provide free legal information and services in partnership with community organizations and supervising lawyers and notaries.
VISIONARY
We cultivate future leaders, advocates and allies through training and experiential learning opportunities. PBSC has student-led Chapters at 22 law schools in Canada.
RESPONSIVE
Our Chapters respond to local needs in their communities across all areas of law. At PBSC National, we develop programs that address complex and systemic inequities.
OUR TEAM
Xi Wang
(she/her)
Program Administrator
An integral part of PBSC's team, Xi is responsible for many of National Office's initiatives, including organizing the annual National Training Conference and managing PBSC’s national project database.
Xi brings more than seven years of administrative experience to PBSC. She spent the first five years in her hometown, Beijing, where she worked for one of China’s leading universities and then for two European diplomatic missions. Since moving to Toronto in January 2020, she has worked for educational institutions and a non-profit organization. She graduated from Capital Normal University in Beijing, with a BA in French Literature and Culture, and from Aix-Marseille University in Arles, with an MA in Administration in Cultural Institutions. In her free time, Xi enjoys taking care of her plants, watercolor painting, and biking.
Ruth Hobbis
(she/her)
Communications & Projects Coordinator
As Communications and Projects Coordinator, Ruth works with the National Office team to support and promote PBSC's A2J programming. She is committed to raising awareness of barriers to justice and the impactful work that PBSC and other organizations are doing to address these issues, and she is always excited to connect with our incredible students.
Ruth has more than five years of experience in administrative and communications roles at the University of Toronto and in international development. She completed a B.A. in Psychology from Queen’s University as well as further education in publishing and marketing. In her personal time, Ruth is a voracious reader and member of two book clubs.
Carolina Cuevas
(she/her)
Program Manager
Carolina is a passionate advocate for experiential learning, and supports PBSC's programming and Chapters across Canada. Originally from Buenos Aires, Carolina has more than 15 years of experience developing and managing educational programs within both the private sector and non-profit organizations.
She has developed and facilitated French language training programs for several Bay Street law firms; and managed internship, volunteer, employment and national exchange programs for charitable organizations. Carolina has a passion for languages, travel, and food. She considers herself a “chocoholic” and spends lots of time creating new recipes!
Charlée Tolliver
(she/her)
Program Officer
Charlée is a Program Officer at PBSC and oversees 11 of our Chapters across Canada. Prior to joining PBSC, Charlée coordinated mentorship programs, national/international articling placements and a legal resources database, which included access to justice initiatives. She also volunteered on a Diversity & Inclusion Council, where she advocated for organizational education initiatives and as a Mentor, where she provided educational and emotional support to high school students. Aside from her work experience, she has a B.A. from Dalhousie University and a Law Clerk diploma.
PBSC’s values of Dignity, Equity and Humility truly resonate with her, after her many years of experience working in the legal industry. In her spare time, Charlée enjoys roller blading, travelling, trying new eats and practicing Spanish when she has a chance.
Dana Rotenberg
(she/her)
Acting National Director
Dana is PBSC’s Acting National Director. Dana originally joined PBSC in 2020 as Program Manager of our award-winning family law programming. She led the development and launch of the Family Justice Centre, a first-of-its-kind virtual legal clinic leveraging the skills and enthusiasm of law students and pro bono lawyers to provide crucial services to Ontarians experiencing barriers to justice.
A graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, Dana was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2011. After working in private practice in Toronto, Dana joined Community and Legal Aid Services Program (CLASP) as Review Counsel, where she was responsible for developing CLASP's Family Law Division in response to the immense need for quality family law services for persons unable to afford private counsel.
Dana was previously an adjunct professor at Osgoode, and a Mentor and Assessor for Toronto Metropolitan University’s Law Practice Program (LPP), where she supported law licensing candidates as they developed their understanding of legal practice and professionalism.
Jason Goodman
(he/him)
Director, Family Justice
As Director, Family Justice, Jason manages all aspects of the Family Justice Centre (FJC), including its operations, continued development, and strategic planning, as well as supporting other National Office initiatives.
Jason holds a JD from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, and his career has spanned diverse roles in litigation, student programming, partnership development, and nonprofit management.
Prior to his time at PBSC, Jason practiced family law in Toronto for six years. He managed a well-known firm’s student program, served on multiple policy reform action groups, and delivered pro bono services through firm and public initiatives. He has extensive experience working with members of equity-seeking groups in Ontario’s family law and child protection systems. In parallel to his legal practice, Jason served as the Director of Partnerships for a medical technology start-up where he developed and managed growth strategy and organizational partnerships.
NATIONAL FUNDERS
Leaders in the industry, our national funders and partners make PBSC's mission possible.
Principal Funder
Founding Partner
National Law Firm Partner
National Research Partner
CHAPTER FUNDERS
We are grateful to our Chapter funders, and our 22 law school partners across Canada, for championing PBSC's work and impact.
PROGRAM FUNDERS
We are grateful to our program funders, whose generosity supports the development of PBSC's innovative access to justice programs.
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ADVISORY BOARD
PBSC’s Advisory Board brings together the knowledge and experience of legal leaders from across Canada to advance our mission.
Comprising community members, partner organizations, former PBSC students, and Faculty of Law representatives, our distinguished Advisory Board provides strategic guidance and support to PBSC's leadership team.
land acknowledgment
HURON-WENDAT, SENECA & MISSISSAUGAS OF THE CREDIT FIRST NATION
We wish to acknowledge the land on which PBSC's National Office operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.