Volunteer Focus
Pro Bono Law Ontario recognizes the important work Ontario lawyers are doing pro bono. Law Help Ontario's Volunteer Focus profiles the work of lawyers contributing to its pro bono duty counsel projects at Superior Court and at Small Claims Court. Suggest a lawyer to be featured here.
February 2009
Ricard Pochkhanawala is a litigation associate at Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt LLP in the firm's Toronto office. Called to the Ontario bar in 2005, Ricard has been a regular volunteer at Law Help Ontario since it opened in December 2007. He has assisted many unrepresented litigants appearing before the Superior Court of Justice on a wide range of civil claims by preparing and reviewing court documents and by providing summary legal information and advice. Ricard has also volunteered to conduct a legal seminar at Law Help Ontario on the topic of Gathering and Using Evidence in the Superior Court of Justice.
Ricard has a broad commercial litigation practice at Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt LLP and has worked on the defence of class actions, director and officer liability suits, and other matters involving business disputes. In addition, Ricard has worked on administrative law cases arising out of the statutorily mandated regulation of health care professionals. He has appeared before the Superior and Divisional Courts of Ontario and is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Ontario Bar Association and the Advocates' Society.
December 2008
Dera Nevin is a corporate and commercial litigator at Ogilvy Renault LLP. She has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario and has acted as counsel in shareholder disputes, oppression claims, asset and business valuation claims, civil and criminal fraud, pension matters, product liability claims and in class proceedings. She has also successfully enforced foreign judgments and domestic arbitral awards.
Dera began volunteering as a pro bono lawyer while a law student, serving as a volunteer at HALCO and for the Writer's Union of Canada. As a lawyer, she has volunteered as duty counsel at Pro Bono Law Ontario's Small Claims Court Project and at its walk-in centre at the Superior Court of Justice. Dera also serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Nazareth House, a transitional home in Toronto for women at risk and their infants.
"I enjoy my volunteer time at the Law Help Centre," Dera says. "The Law Help Centre is an important initiative in the efforts to promote access to justice for self-represented and under-represented litigants of limited means. It also serves to educate and empower those it serves. It's a great way for me to directly help those in my community by using my legal knowledge and experience."
October 2008
Lisa Bonin is a litigation associate with McCarthy Tetrault LLP in Toronto. Called to the bar in 2004, Lisa has been a regular volunteer at Law Help Ontario, providing pro bono legal services to unrepresented litigants appearing before the Superior Court of Justice. She has appeared on motions and also provides summary information, advice and form completion assistance in her capacity as volunteer duty counsel. In addition, Lisa has provided duty counsel assistance at the Small Claims Court Duty Counsel.
Lisa is dedicated to the pro bono ethic. "It helps to work at a firm that supports PBLO initiatives and encourages its associates to participate," Lisa notes. "But I don't do it because my firm gives me credit toward my billable hours. I do it because there is a real access to justice problem and the people I help through PBLO really need it."
Lisa's general litigation practice includes medical malpractice defence, corporate/commercial litigation, professional liability and discipline and family litigation. She has appeared on numerous occasions before the Superior Court of Justice, as well as administrative tribunals and other dispute resolution forums. Lisa is actively involved in coaching the Lawyer as Negotiator programme at Osgoode Hall and also serves as an alumni mentor to current law students. As a member of the Advocates' Society, she serves on the Young Advocates Committee which promotes the interests of young advocates and fosters networking among junior and more senior members of the Society.
August 2008
TJ (Tajesh) Adhihetty is a litigation associate with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, in Toronto. Called to the bar in 2005, TJ has volunteered regularly at PBLO's Small Claims Court Pro Bono Duty Counsel Project providing summary information, advice and other assistance to self-represented litigants. In addition, he has represented several litigants before the Small Claims Court.
TJ is engaged in a broad litigation and dispute resolution practice. His practice includes complex corporate litigation, contract disputes, employment-related matters, negligence claims, actions arising from property damage, and cross-border litigation matters. In addition, TJ is an active member of the community and serves as Vice-Chair of the GenNext Cabinet of United Way Toronto (UWT), a committee dedicated to increasing support and awareness of United Way and its 200 plus social service agencies. His work with GenNext has included being the 2007 Co-Chair of the Great Neighbourhood Race, a race through Toronto's downtown streets, which educated participants about UWT's member agencies and raised over $32,000.
