Volunteer Lawyer Services Roster Program

Through the VLS Roster Program, PBLA tries to match volunteer lawyers with non-profits and charitable organizations with discrete legal needs that are unable to afford legal services.

As a volunteer, you choose your case and define the scope of your involvement based on your availability and comfort level. This program is available to lawyers, articling students who were permitted by their principal lawyer, and retired lawyers and judges that are active for pro-bono.

Volunteer with a Court-Based Programs

PBLA operates the following programs in Edmonton and Calgary that assist self-represented litigants and provide a unique volunteer opportunity for lawyers, articling students, law students and internationally trained lawyers:

• Civil Claims Duty Counsel Program Provides in-person assistance to self-represented litigants with civil matters in the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary or Edmonton. Volunteers can be:
  • Lawyers/Articling Students: Volunteer lawyers or articling students (when permitted by their principal) provide summary legal advice, information on court procedures, help preparing for trials, motions, and other appearances, as well as help completing forms on a first-come, first-served basis at the Calgary Courts Centre and Edmonton Law Courts.
  • Law Students/internationally trained lawyers: Volunteer law students and internationally trained lawyers completing the NCA process assists with the intake and triage of self-represented litigants. This gives students the opportunity to understand the legal process and courtroom etiquette, speak before the Justice whenever required to stand down matters, and hone their soft and hard skills while growing their network with the legal community.
• King’s Bench Court Assistance (KB Amicus) Program Provide in-person assistance to self-represented litigants with civil matters at the Court of King’s Bench in Calgary and Edmonton. Volunteers can be:
  • Lawyers/Articling Students: Volunteer lawyers and articling students (when permitted by their principal) provide summary legal assistance to those without legal representation who are appearing in Morning Chambers at the Calgary Courts Centre and Edmonton Law Courts. Additional opportunity is available in Calgary for the afternoon legal advice clinic where volunteers provide summary legal advice, assistance with document preparation, education on court processes and procedures.
  • Law Students/internationally trained lawyers: Volunteer law students and internationally trained lawyers completing the NCA process assists with the intake and triage of self-represented litigants. This gives students the opportunity to understand the legal process and courtroom etiquette, speak before the Justice whenever required to stand down matters, and hone their soft and hard skills while growing their network with the legal community.