Pro Bono Law Alberta (PBLA) is a nonprofit organization that promotes access to justice in Alberta by creating and promoting opportunities for lawyers to provide pro bono (free) legal services to persons of limited means. PBLA does not provide direct support to members of the public; their website lists clinics and projects that may be helpful to individuals. Lawyers on PBLA's volunteer roster are available to provide assistance on legal issues that impact non profits and charities such as: policy/governance; employment law and contracts; volunteer waivers; incorporation; or charitable registration.
Alberta Resources
If you are leaving an abusive relationship, a family law lawyer can play a key role in helping you understand your legal options, rights, and responsibilities. This is one of a series of CPLEA resources in the Families and the Law: Domestic Violence Series. To view a list of all resources in this series click here.
This Dial-A-Law topic discussed how to choose a lawyer, legal fees and what to do if you are dissatisfied with your lawyer.
Canada/Federal
Ad IDEM is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of free expression in Canada and abroad. Their aim is to achieve this objective through: public and professional education; advocacy and law reform initiative; and cooperation with related professional organizations.
The Collaborative Family Law Process is about cooperation, not confrontation where clients sign a contract agreeing not to go to court. It is mediation and problem solving with collaborative lawyers where clients try to understand each other. Each client is responsible for information gathering and solutions. This website features general information about collaborative law (definitions, process, resources) and a list of collaborative law professionals in Alberta.
The Federation of Law Societies of Canada (FLSC) is the national coordinating body of the Canada’s 14 law societies mandated to regulate Canada’s 95,000 lawyers and Quebec’s 3,500 notaries. Each law society governs the legal profession within their respective province or territory and, as such, is reponsible for dealing with complaints from the public about the profession. The Federation is the voice of Canada’s law societies on a wide range of issues critical to the protection of the public and the rule of law, including solicitor-client privilege, the importance of an independent and impartial judiciary, and the role of the legal profession in the administration of justice.
Your first meeting with a lawyer is an important step in dealing with your legal dispute. In addition to giving you a chance to meet each other, you can also learn a lot about your legal dispute, and what the result is likely to be. This resource is produced by the Justice Education Society of BC. It walks you through the process of meeting with a lawyer for the first time: what to expect, how to prepare and things you will want to know.
The Guide is meant to act as a resource for lawyers to learn about historical and cultural elements that provide context for the professional relationship between an Indigenous person and their lawyer. It also provides tools to help lawyers represent Indigenous clients as effectively as possible, and a number of resources to encourage lawyers to continue their education. The Advocates' Society, in partnership with the Indigenous Bar Association and the Law Society of Ontario, developed the guide.
This publication by Community Legal Assistance Society (BC) will help you prepare for your interview with a lawyer. It describes what information to gather and how to collect necessary documents and prepare your written statement. It then explains four guidelines for communicating effectively in the interview. It also includes two worksheets to help with information gathering. (PDF - 6 p.)
This article from Lawyers.com lists the warning signs that your work with a lawyer is not going well and provides some tips for making the change.
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