Providing free legal information and representation to the low income community since 1969.

Information for Student Volunteers

Project Placements through PBSC can...

• Develop a pro bono work ethic!!
• Further develop legal research, writing and legal skills
• Enhance students’ ability to think about legal problems creatively
• Allow first year students to work collaboratively with second and third-year students
• Provide students an opportunity to network with non-profit organizations and lawyers in the Edmonton community

Will it be difficult to juggle Pro Bono work with my studies?
At only 20-25 hours per acedmic year (averaging 1 hour per week), students find that Pro Bono placements offer flexibility that they are looking for. Students generally work from school or at home, fitting the placements projects around their busy schedules.

I am a first-year law student. Will I be working alone on a project?
NO!!  First year law students will never work on a pro bono project alone.  Each project has a student group which is comprised of one group leader (a second or third year law student) and two to three student volunteers, depending on the size of the project.

What are the obligations for a student taking on a Pro Bono project?

• Attending meetings as scheduled by your group lead
• Committing to 1hour per week for your project
• Communicating at least once a month with your organization and lawyer to update the parties on your progress
• Submitting your project to the advising lawyer for review prior to submission to the organization
• Handing in a final copy of your project to the PBSC Coordinator

How do I get involved with PBSC?

1. Fill out an Pro Bono Student Application.
2. Fill out an Student Legal Services Membership Application
3. Remember to check off the “Pro Bono” section. This will not preclude you from joining other divisions such as Criminal, Civil or Legal Education/ Legal Reform.
4. Hand in, fax or email both applications to the PBSC Coordinator at Emily Murphy House on campus.
5. The PBSC Coordinator will use the informaton outlined in your application to match you with an organization. Students will be contacted by the Coordinator by email  regarding their placements.
6. Attend the mandatory training seminar in September to meet your student group and to receive the outline of your specific projects. 

Questions? Please contact the PBSC Coordinator pbsc@ualberta.ca. We always love to hear from you!