As you may know, last year Pro Bono Ontario launched its Free Legal Advice Hotline. At approximately nine months old, this innovative service has helped more than 9,500 callers who had nowhere else to turn. The Hotline is powered by state-of-the-art technology and the dedication of pro bono lawyers. At a time when the legal profession is increasingly concerned with access to justice, it is hard to think of a more concrete and effective way for us to address low-income Ontarians’ everyday legal problems.
I am proud to let you know that the CCCA Ontario Chapter will be hosting a week at the Hotline on July 3rd to the 6th. We are looking to our members to join us in assisting low-income Ontarians who can’t afford a lawyer and desperately need help with everyday legal problems. I am certain this will be a highly gratifying experience for CCCA Ontario members.
Since the Hotline addresses civil, non-family issues, there are plenty of opportunities for lawyers of all backgrounds. We encourage you to leverage the chance to do justice and simultaneously enhance your networks by inviting your external counsel/partners to join you at the Hotline.
The Hotline is a huge leap forward on access to justice. With enough volunteers, it has the capacity to provide free, convenient and timely services to tens of thousands of Ontarians each year. Because the process is so easy and streamlined for the public, the Hotline eliminates barriers to service including geography, disability, childcare obligations or inflexible work schedules. Significant legal problems can often be solved with just one call.
As Ontario’s leading voice for in-house counsel, it is important that CCCA Ontario joins this effort. As a Hotline volunteer, you will provide insight and direction to people facing seemingly intractable problems. In addition to bringing people instant peace of mind by helping them on a path to greater economic security, you will also discharge your professional obligation to increase access to justice. You will do all of this in a fun and collegial atmosphere that presents excellent opportunities for learning and networking.
We sincerely hope you will join us.
Our specific request is that you sign up for one volunteer session during July 3rd to the 6th. The Hotline is located at PBO’s office at 900-90 Eglinton Ave. East. Volunteers arrive at 9am and take calls from 9:30am to 4:00pm with a break for lunch. Volunteers choose which areas of civil law they wish to service. The current choices are corporate law (small business/start-ups and non-profits), employment, consumer, housing, civil procedure and Power of Attorney.
To register click here. For more information contact PBO program coordinator Nicole Kellow at nicole@probonoontario.org.