Lawyers Giving Back to the Community

Volunteer Lawyers Service was launched in 1994 through the efforts of Toronto lawyer Ronald Manes in cooperation with agencies such as the United Way of Greater Toronto, the Ontario Bar Association, County & District Law Presidents' Association, and many other supporters and contributors.

Since then, VLS has had over 600 volunteer lawyers provide legal services to over 700 Ontario community agencies. VLS lawyers specialize in areas of business law important to nonprofit and charitable organizations.

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The Importance of Legal Help

Nonprofit organizations have many of the same legal needs as for-profit corporations--they own or rent property, pay employees, file tax returns, sue and get sued.

Nonprofits are staffed by people with a vision for their community who may be unfamiliar with legal issues or unable to pay for assistance. Legal problems can be devastating and can leave an organization unprotected.

VLS works because it identifies lawyers with the necessary skill who want to contribute to the community. Community organizations benefit through stronger, protected business practices. The larger voluntary sector benefits through strengthened community agencies.

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VLS Services

In addition to matching lawyers with community agencies, VLS provides resources and educational seminars on topics of interest to charities and nonprofit organizations. VLS lawyers are also available for speaking engagements at special events, workshops or annual general meetings.