The COVID-19 pandemic has brought challenges to everyone in BC, including vulnerable British Columbians with legal problems, and the legal charities who serve them. To keep its operations going and to serve as many people as possible, Access Pro Bono has shifted all of its in-person services to telephone and online delivery—including the annual Pro Bono Going Public event. In other words, PBGP 2020 is going virtual!

This year, registered lawyers will provide free legal advice by telephone or online in a 10-day province-wide advice-a-thon. PBGP 2020’s service and publicity campaign will reach every BC city and town, and will show the entire province how much BC lawyers care about access to justice in every community.

PBGP 2020 will run for two weeks (M-F) in the middle of September. Volunteer lawyers will select one or more one-hour telephone shifts to fit their busy schedules. They can solicit donations in support of their charitable contributions. Clients will be low-to-modest income British Columbians in need of urgent legal advice. All appointments will be pre-scheduled and give ample time for conflict checks.

This annual event raises much-needed funds and awareness for APB’s pro bono programs. Although this year’s event will be different, we hope that with your support we can still make this event as or more successful than previous years!