A pair of lawyers, a community legal organization, and a major national firm have been singled out in this year’s Canadian National Pro Bono Awards.

Edmonton lawyers Dennis Edney and Nathan Whitling have been recognized for their work on behalf of Guantanamo Bay priosoner Omar Khadr; University of Saskatchewan College of Law students have been honoured for their efforts representing low-income clients at Community Legal Assistance Services for Saskatoon Inner City Inc.; and Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP received the nod for adopting a national pro bono policy.

The awards were to be handed out earlier this month at the Second National Pro Bono Conference Dinner & Canadian Pro Bono Awards Ceremony in Vancouver. The conference is hosted by Pro Bono Law Alberta, Pro Bono Law British Columbia, Pro Bono Law Ontario, and Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan.

“These awards are a national celebration of the dedication and commitment of the many lawyers who give their time freely to represent those who need but cannot afford legal assistance or qualify for legal aid,” said the organizers in a release.