Lack of structure often exacerbates the gap between those in need and lawyers willing to help
The Ontario Bar Association (OBA) has launched a new portal to help lawyers find pro bono work that matches their schedules and practice areas.
The association describes the portal as a “one-stop shop for lawyers to quickly find opportunities that fit their practice-area expertise, availability, and passions." Its use will be free for lawyers and law firms in Ontario.
The project was developed in collaboration with Pro Bono Ontario and Gowling WLG, and the platform was built by Paladin, a US-based software company.
OBA president Kathryn Manning says that the main barrier to increased pro bono engagement in Canada is the time it takes to find a suitable match for a lawyer’s availability and expertise.
“Lawyers in Ontario are generous, and they want to contribute, but they are busy,” she says.
Beyond its philanthropic value, Manning says that pro bono work has professional benefits, particularly for early-career lawyers.
Litigators can gain courtroom experience, while corporate lawyers can develop their skills by assisting small businesses and not-for-profits – opportunities that may be limited at large firms, where cases tend to be more specialized and complex.
“The business case for law firms is simple – it builds a skill set for your associates.”
Louis Frapporti, a partner at Gowling WLG, echoes that sentiment. He says the conventional view of pro bono as charity or philanthropy is outdated.
He says that by broadening pro bono initiatives to include corporate and commercial law, the legal profession can contribute to building a more resilient economy – an outcome that ultimately benefits law firms.
Frapporti says such initiatives should prioritize supporting small business development and entrepreneurship, particularly in marginalized communities that face significant barriers to accessing qualified legal services.
These efforts can promote economic independence and prosperity while strengthening community well-being.
“Simply put, it’s just good business, and it warrants a great deal more attention and investment by the legal industry,” he says.
Mary Paterson, a partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP and a member of the Board of Directors for Pro Bono Ontario, reinforces the idea that pro bono work is integral to the legal profession’s ethos. However, she warns that a lack of structure and organization often exacerbates the gap between those in need and lawyers willing to help.
Last year, Pro Bono Ontario facilitated legal assistance through 30,000 phone calls – only a fraction of the 200,000 calls received. That means only one in six callers could speak with a lawyer.
Systematizing the delivery of pro bono services, Paterson adds, is essential to bridging the gap between demand and supply.
She says the need is “underscored by one startling statistic”: 86 percent of those who received legal help through Pro Bono Ontario had never spoken to a lawyer.
“PBO is thrilled to be here to support OBA and Paladin because it is another critical step moving down the path towards access to justice for everyone in Ontario.”
Kristen Sonday, Paladin's co-founder and CEO, says the portal makes it simple for lawyers to get involved. Users can browse available matters using keyword, organization, or location searches. She adds that various filters, including advanced options, allow for more targeted searches.
Once they have found a suitable opportunity, users can click into the listing to view details such as the type of legal work involved, the community served, training and support provided, and skill development opportunities. Once a lawyer expresses interest in a case, the system automatically sends an introductory email connecting the volunteer with the organization’s contact person.
