PRO BONO GOING PUBLIC 2009 HAILED AS GREAT SUCCESS!

Thanks to our volunteer lawyers and donors, Pro Bono Going Public 2009 was a roaring success by every measure.

Over the three days in Vancouver, Kelowna and Victoria, volunteer lawyers provided legal advice to 167 pre-booked and walk-up clients. Clients were overwhelmingly appreciative of the opportunity to receive free legal advice in public spaces. Many of them expressed that the event renewed their faith in the kindness of lawyers, and alleviated stresses and fears that had accumulated over months and years.

The event also raised considerable awareness in each city concerning the widespread availability of pro bono legal advice clinics, the traditional and substantial benevolence of BC's pro bono lawyers, and the acuity of the access to justice crisis which begs for a replenished legal aid system. The Vancouver Sun printed a particularly positive editorial.

Last but certainly not least, our volunteer lawyers raised $24,604 in donations for pro bono programming in BC. That amount, coupled with $6,500 in corporate sponsorships, will help BC's pro bono programs to balance their budgets as they forge ahead through recessionary times.

The top fundraising lawyers were:

Robert Bryshun (Benson Salloum Watts) $3,625
Roy Millen (Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP) $1,725
Tamara Hunter (Davis LLP) $1,710
Warren Milman (McCarthy Tetrault LLP) $1,420
Joseph Saulnier (Smart, Harris & Martland) $1,270
Dave Miles (Montgomery Miles LLP) $1,050
Jamie Maclaren (Maclaren Law Office) $854
Nancy Johnson (Doak Shirreff LLP) $850
Robin Gage (Underhill, Boies Parker) $800
Jess Hadley (Community Legal Assistance Society) $790

The top fundraising law firms were:

Davis LLP $4,195
Benson Salloum Watts $3,625
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP $3,275
McCarthy Tetrault LLP $1,720
Law Society of BC $1,275

We thank everyone who was involved in making Pro Bono Going Public 2009 a success, and we look forward to doing it all again in 2010.