Pro Bono Law Alberta recognizes the value of the pro bono legal services Alberta lawyers are delivering to low income Albertans. The Pro Bono Volunteer in Profile (VIP) features the pro bono volunteer service of Alberta lawyers. If you know of a lawyer who should be recognized for their pro bono service to low income Albertans, please contact PBLA.

Jean Munn, Calgary

PBLA is honoured to recognize Jean Munn for her dedicated volunteer work. Jean's extensive commitment to pro bono is remarkable - she has volunteered with Calgary Legal Guidance (CLG) for almost 20 years and has given hundreds of hours of pro bono service. She is a tireless advocate for the pro bono cause, and has mentored many pro bono volunteers.

Jean was instrumental in establishing CLG's Canadian Immigrant Women's Association (CIWA) outreach clinic, as one of two initial volunteers providing free legal advice. Her knowledge and understanding of the challenges that immigrants face, especially unrepresented in the courts, were key to launching CLG's new Immigration Law Project. This program provides public legal education, evening clinics, and direct service to vulnerable immigrant clients, who may face deportation or separation from their families and who would otherwise have no access to legal help. Jean continues to dedicate her volunteer time to these projects, and actively recruits new lawyers. She also provides personal pro bono follow-up to clients who need continuing legal support beyond what a clinic can provide.

After earning her LL.B. from the University of Calgary in 1988, Jean clerked with Madam Justice Conrad at the Alberta Court of Appeal and completed her articles with Kutz, Hotzel & Gainer. She began volunteering with CLG in 1993 and has been a board member since 2010. Jean has served on the boards of the Calgary Sexual Health Centre and the Calgary YMCA, and as President of the Marlborough Community Association and Chair of the Canadian Bar Association Southern Alberta Immigration Section. She has also volunteered at the Kerby Centre. Jean was an Immigration Practitioner Instructor at Bow Valley College, and is currently a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary Faculty Of Law. In 2012, Jean was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of her commitment to public service.

Jean is a partner at Caron & Partners LLP, where she practices immigration and employment law. She acts as counsel for several municipalities, non-profits, boards, and community organizations. Jean is fluent in Spanish, which allows her to provide a broad range of services and referrals to her Spanish-speaking clients.

Click here to view previous Volunteers in Profile.