Luke's Place Virtual Legal Clinic: Information for lawyers

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Be part of an innovative access-to-justice service that provides summary legal advice to survivors of intimate partner violence, with a special focus on women in rural and remote communities.

The Virtual Legal Clinic uses web-based video conferencing or the telephone to connect women to family law lawyers.

We welcome applications to the Virtual Legal Clinic from lawyers who are:

  • Interested in the issue of violence against women
  • Ready to try web-based video conferencing
  • Willing to participate in a self-directed, accredited 3 hour online training
  • Able to commit to approximately of 2 to 4 hours a month providing pro bono summary legal advice
  • Willing to provide feedback on consultations and the overall project

In return, this project can offer you:computer with 1 person on the screen

  • Free access to "Effective Lawyering with Clients Leaving Abusive Relationships", a professional training on the issue of violence against women and its relationship with family law, accredited for 1 hour 20 minutes Professionalism Hours and eligible for up to 1 hour 10 minutes Substantive Hours, available online and on your own time
  • A manual and other resources about working with clients who have experienced abuse for you to use in your practice as well as in this project
  • Policies, procedures and protocols to support your work with the virtual clinic
  • Technical training and support
  • Ongoing support from the Luke’s Place Legal Director
  • The opportunity to be part of an innovative access to justice initiative that will improve the lives of vulnerable women and their children

PBLO has registered the Luke’s Place Virtual Legal Clinic project; it is LawPRO approved.

Women, workers and lawyers all tell us they benefit from the project:

  • Women report that they have a greater understanding of the law and feel more confidence in managing their legal cases.
  • Workers are relieved to connect clients to lawyers and report learning lots about family law from the lawyers.
  • The lawyers report learning a great deal from the experience too, and tell us that it feels great getting legal services to people who have limited options available in their communities.

Interested lawyers should contact us at Admin@LukesPlace.ca.

The Virtual Legal Clinic is funded by The Law Foundation of Ontario. Read more about the Clinic on The Foundation's website. Luke’s Place is solely responsible for all content related to this project.