Davis LLP to provide probono legal support and services to The Alex Pathways to Housing program in support of Calgary's 10 Year Plan.

Calgary, AB - July 3, 2009 - Pro Bono Law Alberta (PBLA) is pleased to announce that it has brokered a new legal partnership between the Alex Pathways to Housing Program and the Calgary office of the national law firm, Davis LLP.

"The Alex Pathways to Housing Pro Bono Project" brings together Davis LLP, which will provide legal support and services to the Pathways to Housing Project, and The Alex-an organization that has for the past 35 years been the leader in health care delivery to at-risk, low-income, homeless and immigrant Calgarians.

"PBLA is extremely pleased to be involved in the brokering of this ground breaking partnership between Davis LLP Calgary and The Alex Pathways to Housing Program", states Bruce Churchill-Smith, President of Pro Bono Law Alberta. "This project creates new opportunities for lawyers to become involved in an initiative that strives to end homelessness in Calgary and increases access to justice for Albertans living with limited means, which is one of the major objectives for PBLA".

"Davis LLP is very pleased to be a partner in supporting The Alex Pathways to Housing Program", said Robert Calvert, Q.C., Calgary Office Managing Partner, Davis LLP. "The Alex is an inspirational community-based organization. Establishing new relationships between non-profits and private firms creates the opportunity to participate in and contribute actively toward building better communities together. We hope others in the legal community, through Pro Bono Law Alberta or independently, are encouraged to participate in similar projects and programs".

"With this partnership, we have the opportunity to do some ground breaking work", said Dr. Pam Thompson, Director of The Alex Pathways to Housing. "At Pathways, we think beyond our program to how we can contribute to the broader community. This partnership will be a true working collaboration making a difference in Calgary."

PBLA is a non-profit organization that promotes access to justice in Alberta by creating and promoting opportunities for lawyers to provide pro bono (free) legal services to persons of limited means. PBLA was formed as the legacy project in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Law Society of Alberta. This is the third project PBLA has brokered between organizations seeking pro bono legal services, law firms and organizations that can assist them. For more information, visit www.pbla.ca.

Davis LLP is a leading national law firm with more than 200 legal advisors and consultants who provide legal and business services to clients in financial, corporate, government and non profit organizations and across multiple industry sectors. For more information on Davis LLP visit www.davis.ca.

The Pathways to Housing Program started at Calgary's Alex Community Health Centre in 2007. Pathways to Housing assists chronically homeless and mentally ill Calgarians using a "Housing First" philosophy (also known as a low-barrier-to-housing philosophy). Pathways to Housing supports Calgary's 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, a Plan developed by the Calgary Committee to End Homeless and now led by the Calgary Homeless Foundation (www.calgaryhomeless.com). For information on Pathways to Housing, visit www.thealex.ca.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Davis LLP MEDIA CONTACT
Danielle Finney, Manager Communications
604.643.6476 dfinney@davis.ca

PBLA MEDIA CONTACT
Gillian Marriott, Executive Director
403.541.4840 Gillian.marriott@pbla.ca

The Alex Pathways to Housing Program MEDIA CONTACT
Dr. Pam Thompson, Director of Pathways to Housing
403-266-8881 pam@pathwaystohousing.ca