From a pro bono perspective:
Many lawyers volunteer to serve on various boards of directors in the community.
Young lawyers CBA section also do many public relations activities during law week, including a bake sale with proceeds going to a local charity and public legal education booth, visit to the court house and essays contests in local high schools and of course, a moot court. I believe for a law week activity next year, they want to organize a call in day for people in the Northwest Territories, to obtain free legal advice.
Another lawyer and myself volunteered at the YWCA “We Care “ day twice this year, to offer a free legal advice and information clinic.
As for access to justice initiatives, (I separate this from pro bono, as GNT-Justice is now a strong supporter of Legal Aid’s new poverty law initiatives). Every Tuesday afternoon, we offer a free walk-in clinic, where people can come in to ask questions or get some basic help or information. People can also call in to make appointments and I am authorized to assist an individual for up to an hour, without the person having to be screened for legal aid eligibility. People can all call collect from anywhere in the NWT to obtain free legal information and basic advice on a variety of legal issues. People are using this service more and more.
Since last October, we have been flying into the smaller isolated communities, once a month on average, weather and schedule permitting, with the Court circuit usually, to be available to offer the same basic legal advice and information program as is available to the people who live in Yellowknife and surrounding communities. It has and continues to be a huge success. The Aboriginal court workers have been a huge part, in promoting the program but also, if they have any questions or need advice on what to say to a particular client, they contact me by phone or email. Some communities have expressed a sufficient interest in the program, whereby we have made a special 2 or 3 day trip to their community to offer poverty law programs. (the Chiefs of Fort Simpson, Fort Liard, Jean Marie River and Wrigley have requested a special trip for us to assist with elders to do wills and POAs, it is a partnership, whereby Legal aid pays for my salary and the various Bands pay for the trip and accommodation). There are only 4 or 5 communities that have not received a visit from a poverty lawyer yet, and the goal is to attend to these in the next six months. We’re also exploring other possibilities such as using video-conferencing mechanisms as a future initiative.