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Pro bono publico is a Latin term meaning "for the public good." For lawyers today, pro bono means to voluntarily contribute part of their time without charge or at substantially reduced rates, to establish or preserve the rights of disadvantaged individuals; and to provide legal services to assist organizations who represent the interests of, or who work on behalf of, members of the community of limited means or other public interest organizations, or for the improvement of laws or the legal system. Lawyers consider pro bono to be a valuable way to give back to the community and to help further the cause of justice in Canada. Pro bono work is not a substitute for adequate government funding of legal aid.  YL-CBA launches Pro Bono Call-in Day as part of National Pro Bono Week An exciting new YL-CBA initiative will be launched in Halifax and Regina to coincide with National Pro Bono Week, Oct. 25 - 31, 2009.  Pro Bono Call-In Day will give people in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan of limited means the opportunity to speak to a lawyer to ask their legal questions during specified times. The pilot project seeks to improve access to justice by providing pro bono legal services. Information about this and other pro bono events happening across Canada throughout National Pro Bono week is available on the Pro Bono Week Canada website. Pro Bono Call-in Day Details: In Halifax, Pro Bono Call-in Day is Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The call-in number is 1.800.665.9779, or 902.455.3135 within HRM. This event is made possible by YL-CBA, in partnership with the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS). In Regina, Pro Bono Call-in Day is Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The call-in number is toll free 1.877.569.8272. This event is made possible by YL-CBA, in partnership with Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan and the Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan.

Mentorship Program The CBA Pro Bono Committee needs your help. The Pro Bono Mentorship Program was successfully launched at the 2008 CLC last August. We received an encouraging amount of applications required to launch the program. We are continuing to accept applications to be a Mentor and are also now accepting applications to be a Mentee. What is the Pro Bono Mentorship Program? The Pro Bono Mentorship Program will support lawyers who are currently involved, or wish to be involved, in pro bono legal work, by connecting them with mentors who have experience in pro bono or in an area of law relevant to the pro bono work. Any lawyer, notary, or articling student who is a CBA member can be a mentee (a person who is mentored). Any practicing or retired member of a provincial or territorial bar or the Chambre des notaires who is a CBA member can be a mentor. The amount of time mentorship requires is up to the mentor and mentee involved. The Program suggests a minimum of one phone call a month to keep the relationship going. The formal mentorship lasts for one year. Specific details about the program are available by consulting our Pro Bono Mentorship Handbook or by contacting the staff coordinator.I want to participate. What now?   Disclaimer: The CBA Pro Bono Mentorship Program is for CBA members who are lawyers, Quebec notaries, articling students or retired members of a provincial or territorial bar or the Chambre des notaries. The CBA Pro Bono Mentorship Program does not provide legal advice to the public, and does not arrange for pro bono legal services. If you are a member of the public requiring legal services, you may be eligible for legal aid. Please refer to the blue pages of your local telephone directory or consult the provincial and territorial legal aid service’s web pages. If you are not eligible for legal aid, and wish to find a lawyer to provide you with legal advice, please consult your local law society or the lawyer referral service operating in your jurisdiction. Below is a link to a list of lawyer referral services, which can provide a name of a lawyer willing to provide an initial consultation for free or at reduced rates: http://www.cba.org/CBA/Info/faq/referral.aspx Pro Bono Committee The Pro Bono Committee's mandate is to promote and facilitate pro bono service in the legal profession on an ongoing basis. The Committee is composed of representatives from all across Canada who are collectively committed to enhancing CBA pro bono initiatives. The CBA’s pro bono initiatives help to ensure access to justice for all Canadians. Publicizing lawyers’ pro bono work enhances the public image of the profession. More >> The Committee is looking for your success stories! Young Lawyers Pro Bono Award Every year, in recognition of the one lawyer who has made a significant pro bono contribution throughout Canada, the CBA's Young Lawyers' Conference presents its Pro Bono Award. The Award raises awareness of the importance of pro bono work, and honours the lawyer who has distinguished herself or himself in this area. More information, how to apply and recent winners

Checklists Deciding to take on a pro bono case involves a number of considerations. Prior to accepting a pro bono file, it may be helpful to reflect on a few questions. These checklists can help with your decision. CBA PracticeLink The ABCs of Creating a Pro Bono Policy for Your Law Firm A sample pro bono policy that lawyers can take and adapt to their own practices. More on CBA PracticeLink. National Magazine Clinical Success (Jan./Feb. 2007) Addendum (July 2006) Pro bono rising (Aug./Sept. 2004) Pro pro bono (.pdf) (June 2005) Pro Bono Students Canada: everyone wins (Fall 2003) More in National Magazine.