CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Jan. 13, 2009) - Alberta's Volunteer Lawyers Service (VLS) program is actively seeking not-for-profit organizations to match with Alberta lawyers for free legal services and advice.

"We invite all registered Alberta charities and not-for-profit groups to enrol in this free legal services program," says L. Diane Young, president of the Canadian Bar Association Alberta. "Lawyers are available to assist in matters involving charities law, business law, administrative law, civil litigation, labour, and employment, human rights and tax law."

VLS assists registered charities and organizations qualified as such under the Income Tax Act who show a demonstrable need for free legal advice. Interested Alberta charities can apply by filling out an application form at volunteerlawyersalberta.com or by calling Amy Cooper, VLS project coordinator at (403) 218-4317 for a faxed or emailed copy of the application.

The VLS has increased the outreach of its services by an amazing 217 percent since November 2006. In addition to meeting increased awareness and efficiency goals, the program has also initiated workshops that are facilitated by lawyers for not-for-profit organizations.

Charitable organizations that have utilized the VLS program over the past few years offer high praise for the lawyers involved and the services they provided. "The VLS lawyer provides a highly professional and empathetic service which has been invaluable in helping us work through complex issues that arise through collaborative work", says Nancy Dutton, Strategic Lead, UpStart, Champions for Children and Youth.

The lawyers of Alberta are dedicated to increasing their commitment to pro bono work and VLS is just one of the ways that lawyers are giving back to the community. A Canadian Bar Association Alberta Task Force on Community Responsibility showed that individual lawyers devote an average of 120 volunteer hours annually, or over three weeks a year, toward volunteering their time, skills and expertise as lawyers to individuals and community organizations. This is a significant contribution and does not take into account the financial support that most firms give their communities.

The Volunteer Lawyers Service (VLS) is a joint initiative of the Canadian Bar Association Alberta, the Law Society of Alberta, United Way of Calgary and Area, and the Association of General Counsel of Alberta, which spearheaded the service in 1995.

For more information, interview requests, or photo opportunities please see below.

For more information, please contact

Volunteer Lawyers Service
Bruce Churchill-Smith
Chair
(403) 232-9669
Email: bchurchillsmith@blgcanada.com

or

United Way of Calgary and Area
Trish Bond,
(403) 231-6280
Email: pbond@calgaryunitedway.org