For Lawyers
Connect Legal offers a means through which transactional lawyers can provide much-needed, valuable services to a group of ambitious and hard working newcomers with limited resources. Volunteer lawyers can participate in educational events aimed at creating a basic understanding of some of the important aspects of commercial law and/or they can choose to participate in our matching service and have the opportunity to provide pro bono legal services to an immigrant entrepreneur.
In addition to the inherent reward of giving back to the community in a way that directly enhances the economic vitality of the community, through Connect Legal, transactional lawyers can gain valuable experience advising new businesses.
Educational Seminars
Connect Legal conducts seminars geared to providing low-resource immigrant entrepreneurs with an understanding of important commercial legal issues relevant to their business activities. These seminars are conducted at various locations throughout the Toronto Region and can include the following subject areas:
- sole-proprietorship, partnership, or corporation: choosing the right corporate structure
- legal implications of equity investments vs. borrowing
- understanding contracts including commercial leases, franchise agreements
- licensing agreements and other intellectual property issues
- employment issues
- understanding regulations and zoning that apply to your business
If you are interested in hosting or participating in an educational event, please submit a volunteer form -- see below. Click here for a list of upcoming seminars.
Volunteer Lawyer Matching Service
Lawyers participating in the matching service will be able to choose from a list of prospective clients carefully screened for eligibility and business viability. All prospective clients are low-resource immigrants who cannot afford legal services and who are either launching or operating viable businesses. For more on program eligibility criteria, click here.
After prospective clients are identified, Connect Legal conducts a preliminary case review in order to determine and summarize the nature of the legal concern. Connect Legal will then contact its roster of volunteer lawyers and present an anonymous summary of the eligible candidate's legal matter. The first lawyer to express an interest in representing the candidate will be provided with the necessary information for a conflicts check. If the conflicts check is successful, that lawyer will be assigned the case. If not, another volunteer lawyer will be contacted.
Once a lawyer is assigned, the candidate will receive notice from Connect Legal along with contact information for the lawyer and instructions to make contact within 14 days of receipt of the notice. Should the candidate require help with another legal matter, the candidate must reapply for services with Connect Legal. The lawyer is not allowed to charge for his or her services, but may recover the cost of necessary disbursements directly from the client.
Upon closure of a case, we will contact you for feedback, case disposition, and an estimate of pro bono hours spent. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
Why Volunteer?
Lawyers and law firms participating in Connect Legal programs will receive the following benefits:
- a chance to make a real difference in the success of newcomer-entrepreneurs, thereby benefitting the individual and Canadian society as a whole.
- rewarding professional development opportunities.
- pro bono clients who are identified, prescreened and matched by Connect Legal working in close collaboration with law firms and volunteer lawyers.
- visibility for firms within immigrant communities and potential client development opportunities.
- extended insurance coverage for volunteer lawyers providing pro bono services due to Connnect Legal's status as a registered project of Pro Bono Law Ontario.
