The world’s first virtual legal clinic launches across BC, aiming to increase affordability, diversity and reach of legal professionals. Canadian Business Journal

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Everyone Legal Clinic is now the world’s first virtual public interest law education clinic and legal practice incubator, offering low-cost legal services throughout British Columbia. I’m here. An early participant in the Law Society of BC’s Innovation Sandbox, the clinic employs 25 articulating students from 15 different BC communities from Tofino to Cranbrook, 15 supervising attorneys, 4 staff members, With the help of dozens of people, we provide in-person and virtual assistance. of a local mentor. Both companies offer a wide range of flat-rate services covering everyday legal matters.

Operated by Access Pro Bono BC, the clinic has made BC more inclusive and culturally responsive by increasing the diversity of its legal profession and serving clients in underserved communities. We are committed to promoting the justice system. Of her first 25 article students, 75% are her BIPOC and 25% are indigenous. The main goals of the clinic are:

• Increase access to affordable, high-quality legal services in communities across BC
• Increase professionalism in public interest legal services, especially in underserved BC communities
• Improve equity, diversity, working conditions and quality of education in BC’s attorney and notary training system to reduce unmet need for article writing jobs
• Promote a new virtual fixed fee and modular format for legal practice

“I grew up in rural northern British Columbia. Family is everything to me. Burns Lake Student Lincoln Hallgren“Being able to write articles in my hometown up North is a unique opportunity for everyone’s law clinic. It was to help people who were.”

In fostering a new generation of community legal service providers, the clinic will act as a single small business incubator to develop much-needed local and permanent legal services capabilities within BC’s rural and remote communities. Build.

“The clinic’s unique structure means you get first-hand, hands-on experience that you might not get elsewhere.” Prince George’s student Avneet Aswal“This is the perfect program for anyone wanting to learn the skills needed to open up solo practice one day.”

The clinic also aims to practice in underserved BC communities, giving priority to law graduates with previous clinical experience serving vulnerable populations. It provides a supportive and engaging educational experience for foreign qualified law graduates.

“BC’s article system doesn’t work for everyone,” he said. Access Pro Bono Executive Director Jamie McLaren“It excludes a disproportionate number of mature law graduates, indigenous law graduates, and people of color. It’s an important first step in preventing systemic barriers to entry that would impede the dream of becoming one.”

The clinic is sponsored by several BC law firms and is funded by the BC Law Foundation and the McLachlin Foundation.

“Everyone Legal Clinic is pragmatic and aims to foster innovation and diversity among new legal service providers. Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada Beverly McLachlin“It could be replicated across Canada and has an assessment and knowledge sharing component to inform access to other judicial initiatives. I hope others will follow suit.”

about Access to Pro Bono BC: Access Pro Bono BC is a British Columbia charity that promotes access to justice in BC by providing and facilitating quality, free legal services for people with limited means and non-profits. mission is to do so. Everyone Legal Clinic is his APB’s first social enterprise to serve everyone in BC.

For more information, please visit https://everonelegal.ca/ or contact us at:

Jamie McLaren KC, APB Executive Director, [email protected]604-726-7274

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