Pro Bono Law Ontario is a charitable organization that promotes access to justice in Ontario by creating and promoting opportunities for lawyers to provide pro bono (free) legal services to persons of limited means.

Access to justice is fundamental to a free and democratic society. In Ontario, lawyers are members of a self-regulating profession that is vital to the integrity of the justice system. With this privilege, lawyers bear the responsibility to help ensure that those of limited means and other vulnerable populations are not excluded from the justice system.

Without access, there is no justice.

When Pro Bono Law Ontario opened its doors in January 2002, organized pro bono was virtually unheard of in Ontario.  Since then, PBLO has been working to:

• promote the growth of pro bono work throughout Ontario's legal profession,
• develop the pro bono capacity of the private bar,
• address regulatory barriers to participation, and
• develop pro bono projects that address unmet legal needs in both urban and rural areas across Ontario.

Pro Bono Law Ontario's Mission:

To improve access to justice by providing strategic guidance, training and tailored technical assistance to law firms, law associations, legal departments and other groups that are dedicated to addressing the legal needs of low income and disadvantaged individuals as well as the communities and charitable organizations that serve them.

Pro Bono Project Development

One of PBLO's primary roles is to broker relationships between public service providers (legal clinics, community-based organizations) and the private bar (law firms, law associations). PBLO plays an active role in the community, seeking out these opportunities and developing collaborative pro bono projects.

Ontario has a public legal aid program and, although relatively well funded, it cannot keep up with the demand for legal services, nor does it cover all legal service areas. As a result, PBLO's project development goals are based on three guiding principles:

1. Pro bono projects should complement, not duplicate, services offered by Legal Aid Ontario.
2. Whenever possible, pro bono projects should be community-based and community-driven.
3. Pro bono services are intended for low income recipients who otherwise would not be able to afford the cost of legal services.

For more on PBLO projects, see the list of current Projects and for further detail, the Pro Bono Directory on ProbonoNet for Lawyers, the online tool for pro bono volunteers (requires login). 

Pro Bono Project Support

Once a new project has been launched, PBLO continues to provide support through:

• Project development and project management consultation services
• Best practices guides
• Volunteer recruitment and outreach support
• LawPRO insurance coverage
• Continuing legal education
• Online tools at ProbonoNet for Lawyers
• Grantwriting and resource development
• Case management software