For the first time, University of Toronto and Osgoode Chapters of Pro Bono Students Canada came together to hold an appreciation event for its volunteers and partners, March 4, 2011, hosted by PBSC's National Law Firm Partner, McCarthy Tétrault.
University of Toronto 2011 PBSC Coordinators, L-R: Caroline Brett, Emily Hubling, Alyssa Manji
It was a huge success, with more than 90 PBSC volunteers, organizational partners and firm lawyers in attendance. McCarthy Tétrault's 53rd-floor reception room, with its panoramic views of the city, provided an ideal setting for this terrific event
Pro Bono Students Canada was founded at the University of Toronto and continues to be housed at the Faculty. The event was an opportunity to thank PBSC’s many supporters, and included a panel discussion on doing pro bono work as a practicing lawyer, followed by a cocktail reception.
PBSC’s U of T Program Coordinators Emily Hubling and Alyssa Manji thanked the student volunteers, partner organizations, and supervising lawyers present for a year of hard work and for their commitment to community service. National Director, Nikki Gershbain, lauded McCarthy Tétrault for its genuine commitment to pro bono service and ongoing support of PBSC’s program from coast to coast.
A discussion panel, moderated by McCarthy's Alexi Wood, provided concrete suggestions for students interested in incorporating pro bono work into their legal practices.
The Panel
McCarthy's Michael Feder highlighted the extraordinary opportunities he's had through his pro bono work, including several appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada, while Keary Grace discussed the human side of pro bono work, and the satisfaction that comes from assisting others through McCarthy's unique and award-winning Unaccompanied Minors Project.
Vaib Sahay gave students interested in pursuing work on Bay Street—or Wall Street—examples of how a passion for transactional work can be translated into pro bono. Cara Zwibel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association spoke about the value of persistence in pursuing pro bono work, and of the importance of being upfront with employers about having such aspirations.
Students left the panel invigorated, with concrete ideas for how to translate the skills and values acquired through their work with PBSC into their future careers.
PBSC national office staff, Navneet Johal and Nikki Gershbain
