The Women's Centre Legal Advice Clinic Volunteer Lawyer Project works to enhance access to justice, by providing legal services to women in need.

By using the skills and knowledge of lawyers who are members of the Association of Woman Lawyers (AWL), the Volunteer Lawyer Project provides a unique opportunity for women lawyers to give back to the community by providing legal services to women in need.

Pro Bono Law Alberta (PBLA) brokered the relationship between the Women's Centre of Calgary and AWL in 2008.

About the Women's Centre Legal Advice Clinic

The Women's Centre Legal Advice Clinic is an established program of the Women's Centre of Calgary having run for almost 40 years. Volunteer female lawyers provide free legal advice to women on a one-to-one basis in various areas of law.

The program is open to all women without restrictions due to issue or individual circumstances. Because women may not have access to family money, the Centre does not screen for income. Because safe child care may not be available, the Centre allows women to bring their children to the Centre.

The clinic is aimed at providing women with the preliminary information, summary legal advice and support they may need to access the legal system. The volunteer lawyers do not provide ongoing legal work or representation at or through the clinic.

How the Legal Advice Clinic Operates

• Weekly Family Law clinics on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Women's Centre offices.
• Bi-weekly Non-Family Law Clinic.
• Half hour appointments. One volunteer lawyer sees up to four clients per evening clinic.
• Volunteer peer support. Booking and confirming appointments; referring clients to other legal and community services as needed; ensuring smooth operation of the clinic; and if necessary watching children while mom is in her appointment.
• Appointments are booked by the Women's Centre staff. Appointments are booked to a maximum 2 weeks in advance and a waiting list is maintained in the event of cancellations.
• Appointments are confirmed with the volunteer lawyer the day before the clinic.
• A form is faxed to the volunteer lawyer detailing the full name of the woman, the opposing party and whether the opposing party has legal representation. This enables the volunteer lawyer to do a "conflicts check" at their law firm.
• The Women's Centre Legal Advice Clinic Program Co-coordinator ensures the smooth operations of the Legal Advice Clinic including scheduling of volunteer lawyers and back up for non-legal services as needed.

Areas of Law

The Legal Advice Clinic provides legal advice in various areas of law with the highest demand traditionally in the family law area. Because of the increasing need in all areas of law associated with poverty, the program provides advice in:

• housing;
• accessing social benefits;
• employment;
• landlord tenant;
• small debts; and
• small claims and wills and estates

Generally, the Legal Advice clinic does not offer services in criminal and immigration law. If the Centre knows the woman has a criminal law matter, a referral is made to Elizabeth Fry Society; or in immigration law, a referral to Calgary Immigrant Women's Association.

Bookings

Appointments are booked by the Women's Centre staff over the phone at (403) 264-1155. Also, bookings can be made at the Women's Centre located at 646 1st Avenue NE. Appointments are booked to a maximum 2 weeks in advance and a waiting list is maintained in the event of cancellations.

The Legal Advice Clinic bookings and waiting list are almost always full and women who cannot get an appointment are referred to other services including Calgary Legal Guidance, Student Legal Assistance, the Family Law Resource Centre or Legal Aid.

About the Women's Centre of Calgary

The Women's Centre of Calgary is a not-for-profit registered charity providing a variety of services and support to the women of Calgary. It operates on a community development model of women helping women. It has 7.5 FTE staff and more than 420 volunteers. In 2007, the Women's Centre responded to more than 35,400 client contacts. The Centre most often serves marginalized women (poor women, immigrant and aboriginal women, women with disabilities) and women in transition (new to the city, experiencing family breakdown, looking for work). For more information visit their web site at www.womens-centre.org.

About the Association of Woman Lawyers

AWL is an organization committed to promoting the advancement, equality, interests and well being of women in the legal profession. By fostering the ongoing relationship with the Women's Centre, AWL provides a steady and reliable source of volunteer female lawyers for the Women's Centre Legal Advice Clinic.

Client Feedback & Testimonials

In 2010, 205 women received free legal advice. In clinic evaluations 100% of respondents said the volunteer lawyer listened to them carefully and 97% said the lawyer seemed to understand their situation. Ninety-nine per cent said they learned legal information related to their situation and 95% reported they knew what their next step would be as a result of attending the clinic.

""Many women are in need. This clinic provides support and direction and helps in creating a caring community"

"She started from square one, and explained what I needed to do. She answered all my questions. Thanks."

"It was extremely helpful. The lawyer answered all of my questions and gave me essential information...thank you so very much."

LAWYERS: To Volunteer With the Women's Legal Advice Clinic

Through this project, PBLA has partnered the Association of Women Lawyers with the Women's Centre, however, any female lawyer can volunteer with the Legal Advice Clinic. To volunteer for the Women's Centre Legal Advice Clinic, please contact Aimar Bracho at 403-264-1155.