2. * The Volunteer Lawyer Services (VLS) program matches volunteer lawyers who provide pro bono legal services to charitable organizations and individuals who would not otherwise receive services due to a lack of financial resources.

3. * In April 2011 VLS expanded to assist individuals through a referral process from Legal Aid Alberta and the following pro bono clinics:  Calgary Legal Guidance  Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic  Edmonton Community Legal Centre  Grande Prairie Legal Guidance  Lethbridge Legal Guidance Legal Aid Alberta

4. * Working with these clinics allows us to promote access to justice * How VLS works with the clinics:  Accepting referrals to assist with clinic case load  Accepting referrals if the matter falls outside the scope of the clinic  Serving more individuals  Enhancing access to justice for all Albertans

5. * In collaboration with:  Legal Aid Alberta  The Law Society of Alberta  The Canadian Bar Association  Alberta Lawyers Assistance Society  Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association * PBLA and VLS responded to the Slave Lake wildfires in May 2011 by providing direct legal relief services to those affected by the disaster * VLS accepted referrals from Legal Aid Alberta to assist in this effort Legal Aid Alberta

6. * PBLA and VLS are working to expand the services we provide:  Small Claims Duty Counsel project  New Immigrants project  Veterans Affairs project

7. * JUST TAKE 2: A volunteer Campaign for you! * The just take two campaign encourages current VLS volunteer lawyers to refer a colleague to VLS and double the impact of this valuable service to low income Albertans.

8. * VLS launched a newsletter called VLS Highlights – dedicated to the VLS program * Sent to 800 lawyers, judges and clinics throughout the province * Included: lawyer spotlight, Take 2 Campaign, Slave Lake wildfire legal help and much more

9. * As the pilot project comes to an end in December 2011, it is our hope that the VLS program will continue to grow, expand and develop * VLS will continue to:  Work closely with Legal Aid Alberta and the pro bono clinics  Work on marketing strategies  Increase awareness of the program to lawyers and the public  Enhance access to justice to Albertans