Lexpert magazine features articles and columns on developments in legal practice management, deals and lawsuits of interest in Canada, the law and business issues of interest to legal professionals and businesses that purchase legal services.
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LEXPERT MAGAZINE | APRIL/MAY 2017 61 | IN-HOUSE ADVISOR: SIGNATURE PRO BONO | rewarding professional and personal expe- rience for our team members." Stewart says individual lawyers at all levels at Dentons are now, or have been, involved in a variety of pro bono projects: for example, the educational law project with PBO assisting parents with children with special education needs at expulsion hearings; or as small claims duty coun- sel in partnership with in-house counsel from Royal Bank. A signature project, says Stewart, who is involved in supervising as- sociates' pro bono activities, would provide another avenue through which associates "could become involved, gain expertise and a sense of fulfillment." As in-house counsel and law firms con- sider ideas that might lend themselves to pro bono work, the longstanding Unac- companied Minors project serves as il- lustration. A four-way partnership among McCarthy Tétrault LLP, the Law Group of RBC, Pro Bono Ontario and the Im- migration and Refugee Board of Canada, the project engages lawyers who act as des- ignated representatives for unaccompanied minors arriving, for example, at Toronto Pearson International Airport or Cana- dian border crossings such as the Windsor, Ontario, bridge. e lawyers at McCarthy and RBC work independently of each oth- er on their own cases; joint training is held every few years. Shane D'Souza, a partner with Mc- Carthy in Toronto, says the project was launched in 2005, and RBC in-house counsel came on board a few years later. Since its inception, the initiative has aided almost 250 children. Many times, they're seeking refugee status, he says, and while not all claims are successful, "you can guar- antee you've made a difference in a child's life." e children's histories are very mov- ing, says eresa Le Blanc, Assistant Gen- eral Counsel, Royal Bank of Canada, who has assisted a number of unaccompanied minors over the years. "Many of the cases have had a really good outcome." It's heart- breaking, she says, when they don't. THE FUTURE OF SIGNATURE With one successful pro bono clinic in hand, BMO's Ruffolo says it has a better sense of how the process should work and is planning future clinics. Bringing legal ser- vices to their communities, she says, dove- tails with their social responsibility man- date. "e reality is, people don't necessar- ily have access to legal services, whether it's because they're in a hospital or they don't have the means to leave their community. And so it's very meaningful for us to bring those services directly to the client." As for Weston Group Legal, based on its incredibly positive experience with the Start-Up Youth program, it's forging ahead on another signature program. In March 2017, the group, in conjunction with the Toronto District School Board, launched "Know Your Rights." e program was developed to support parents of elementary students, by providing them with resources on landlord-tenant law, tax, human rights and employment law, wills and estates. Volunteers design pamphlets and prepare course materials for the group sessions and are available for one-on-one clinics to pro- vide further support. SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE A few considerations for law departments looking to set up signature pro bono initiatives at their companies These are long-term commitments. A key component of the Start-Up Youth program has been ongoing communication and building relationships with Pro Bono Ontario and the TDSB, including Principals and Program Coordinators, says Salvatore Frisina, Executive Chairman Weston Group Legal Pro Bono Law Program and Senior Vice President, Legal Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, PC Financial. "The importance of meeting timelines and coordinating ongoing team meetings with colleagues across all divisions of Weston Group Legal, has been vital to the success of the program. Ensuring relevant materials are circulated to the TDSB, students and parents, encourages colleague engagement and allows the team to celebrate key successes at internal events." Make the program easy for people to volunteer. Sophia Ruffolo, Head of BMO Private Bank Global Compliance, suggests law departments make the project "easily accessible regardless of background, hold events during business hours, make the training easy to understand, and create the right support system for volunteers by having a centre of expertise to answer questions." Make sure your law department has the proper insurance. In Ontario, for example, "PBO is committed to ensuring that our volunteers are properly supported," says Lynn Burns, Executive Director, Pro Bono Ontario. "We successfully worked with LawPRO to create insurance benefits for lawyers who volunteer through our programs, including coverage for premium exempt lawyers." Keep the momentum going. "You launch the program, then what you have to do is keep the enthusiasm. And at different events throughout the year, it's important to keep everyone updated," says Cerise Latibeaudiere, Project Manager Weston Group Legal Pro Bono Law Program and Director, Legal Counsel, PC Financial, in Toronto. "Not only does this continue excitement for the volunteers who are already participating, but it creates interest in those who are new to the company or would like to start volunteering. Keep the program on the radar." IN HOUSE INSIGHT Bev Cline is a freelance business and legal-affairs writer in Toronto.