VANCOUVER, BC (Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Territory) - April 12, 2022:
The Canadian Bar Association BC Branch is proud to join Access Pro Bono’s Everyone Legal Clinic as a Founding Service Partner, in a move to support alternative paths to traditional articling. In addition to a financial contribution, CBABC will provide free membership to the articling students and CBABC exclusive training content.
“CBABC is excited for this new path to becoming a lawyer in BC. The Everyone Legal Clinic is trying something innovative to meet the previously unmet needs of law students seeking articles and clients needing more affordable legal services. We wholeheartedly support the articling students in this program,” shared Clare Jennings, CBABC President.
In addition, the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum has donated $20,000 to create the “CBABC Aboriginal Lawyers Forum Scholarship”, designed specifically for Indigenous-to-Canada students enrolled in the Everyone Legal Clinic in 2022.
“Investing in our future legal warriors is essential. The Aboriginal Lawyers Forum is proud to partner with the Everyone Legal Clinic to support the Indigenous students and help bring legal services to BC’s underserved communities,” said Randy Robinson, Aboriginal Lawyers Forum Chair and member of the Timiskaming First Nation.
The Everyone Legal Clinic is part of the Law Society of BC’s Innovation Sandbox and connects articling students with people in communities across BC for free or low-cost legal services. Starting in May, a first group of 15 articling students situated in 15 different BC communities will work closely with 16 part-time supervising lawyers as they gain practical experience.
“Access Pro Bono’s Everyone Legal Clinic is a true innovation in lawyer development and legal service delivery. Our goals are straightforward: increase access to justice for all British Columbians, regardless of their identity, income or location, and increase the diversity and cultural sensitivity of the lawyers who serve them,” stated Jamie Maclaren QC, Access Pro Bono Executive Director.
Maclaren continued, “Our new partnership with CBABC and the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum brings additional resources to our articling students that will advance their education and ensure their strong connection to the broader legal community.”