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Our Approach
Collaborative
We engage approximately 1,450 law students annually to provide free legal information and services in partnership with community organizations and supervising lawyers and notaries.
Visionary
We cultivate future leaders, advocates and allies through training and experiential learning opportunities. PBSC has student-led Chapters at 22 law schools in Canada.
Responsive
Our Chapters respond to local needs in their communities across all areas of law. At PBSC National, we develop programs that address complex and systemic inequities.
Our Programming
Our Impact
1,450 We train, mentor, and engage approximately 1,450 law student volunteers every year. 360 Each year, we partner with and help build the capacity of nearly 360 organizations. 14,000 Our student volunteers directly serve an estimated 14,000 people facing barriers to justice each year.
450 Each year, we operate more than 450 projects involving research, public legal education, and legal clinics. 115,000 Our student volunteers provide approximately 115,000+ hours of free legal support annually. 87% 87% of our students say that they plan to provide pro bono services in the future.
Sarah Hooper, Law Student VolunteerMy PBSC placement at a local long-term care home, has helped me understand the meaningful impact law students can have on their community. Through this experience, I have immersed myself in new areas of law while providing accessible legal information to healthcare providers ... The experience has solidified my commitment to access to justice initiatives, and I am motivated to continue to pursue pro bono work throughout my legal career ... I would recommend getting involved with Pro Bono Students Canada during law school!
Elsie Dickson, Director of Legal Services, Kensington-Bellwoods Community Legal Services (KBCLS)KBCLS has hosted many PBSC student volunteers over the years ... The need is great and the clinic’s resources go much further, thanks to the valuable work of the student volunteers. They have worked on intake, cases, and research projects, as well as created content for our Public Legal Education programs. This collaboration is also very exciting and rewarding for us, particularly when the students catch the “Social Justice and Poverty Law Bug”, during their time with us.
Brendan MacArthur-Stevens, Supervising Lawyer and Partner at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLPSince its founding in 2018, the Trans ID Clinic in Calgary has helped well over 500 clients to obtain government ID that reflects their gender identity and expression. I have witnessed firsthand the significant impact that obtaining an accurate ID can have on the well being of our clients. Attending the Clinic is a highlight of my month and I love collaborating with the Skipping Stone Foundation and our fantastic PBSC student volunteers to help make this world just a bit more welcoming and inclusive for trans and gender-diverse folks.
Matthew Cumblidge, Law Student VolunteerVolunteering with PBSC has been a highlight of my law school education. In my first year, I was assigned to a project helping unhoused and low-income people obtain government ID. I have been committed to that project for three years. Through PBSC, I have been able to form meaningful connections with the community where I live and make a positive, tangible impact on people’s lives.
Join the PBSC U of T chapter!
The PBSC U of T Chapter places law student volunteers with public interest organizations, legal clinics, tribunals, courts and lawyers taking on pro bono projects.
As a PBSC volunteer, you have the opportunity to perform a variety of hands-on tasks such as client intake, legal research and public legal education.
Visit PBSC U of T Chapter to learn more and apply to be a volunteer.
PBSC also recruits law students to lead the Family Justice Centre and Indigenous Human Rights Podcast.
Learn more about us
Photography by Kenya-Jade Pinto and Alice Xue Photography (Chapter image).