Gumpert Award
Pro Bono Law Ontario wins prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers award
The American College of Trial Lawyers has chosen Pro Bono Law Ontario as the recipient of the prestigious Emil Gumpert Award. This is especially significant since it is the first time the award has been won by a Canadian organization or individual.
Presentation of the $50,000 award to Lynn Burns at the College's 2009 Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts on October 9, 2009. Shown with Burns are President John J. (Jack) Dalton, William J. Kayatta, Jr. (Chair of the Emil Gumpert Award Committee) and David W. Scott (Chair of PBLO's Board of Directors)
The award recognizes programs, public or private, whose principal purpose is to maintain and improve the administration of justice.
Pro Bono Law Ontario will use the monetary part of the award - valued at $50,000 USD - to open a new walk-in, legal help centre in Ottawa--modelled on the successful "Law Help Ontario" centre operating out of the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto. Law Help Ontario is a project of Pro Bono Law Ontario that provides pro bono legal services to people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer and are unrepresented in a legal matter.
In a letter to Pro Bono Law Ontario, the Chair of the Emil Gumpert Committee said, "The Board of Regents of the American College of Trial Lawyers was impressed with your goals and progress, and unanimously approved the recommendation. Your goal of creating, nurturing and guiding organized pro bono efforts in Ontario will encourage and extend the pro bono services of Canadian lawyers beyond the jurisdiction of 'Law Help Ontario.' We believe your program is truly unique and has the potential for national impact."
Lynn Burns, the Executive Director of Pro Bono Law Ontario, says the award is a fitting tribute to the many lawyers who have volunteered their time and expertise over the first year of operation of Law Help Ontario. "Thanks to their dedication, almost 3,000 individuals received help with their legal needs in 2008. Now that we can expand this much-needed service to Ottawa, the result will be that many more Ontarians will have professional guidance and support in dealing with the justice system."
