Volunteering with VLS

Since 1994, Volunteer Lawyers Service has been receiving requests for legal assistance from nonprofit and charitable groups across Ontario. The majority of these organizations are struggling with basic legal issues and do not have funds for legal counsel.

Organizations must meet eligibility criteria and submit a formal application to VLS. Approved applications are then matched with suitable legal counsel.

Most requests for assistance are straightforward, such as reviewing contracts or leases, revising by-laws, or incorporation. More complex requests may involve employment issues, landlord and tenant matters, charitable registration, or collective bargaining.

VLS also offers educational seminars to nonprofits and charities, in addition to written articles and fact sheets.

VLS is a valuable means of demonstrating to the public that lawyers perform a significant amount of volunteer work. Volunteering through VLS:

• provides an invaluable service to the community
• offers personal and professional enrichment
• generates goodwill for your company/law firm

Current Cases

If you are new to VLS and would like to hear more about the types of cases we typically get, please contact us. Once you join the VLS roster, we add you to our email notification system and send out regular updates to our volunteers on current cases available.Cases outside of your geographic area can be handled by phone or electronically. We presently have a high demand for charitable registrations.

How to Join the Roster

To join the VLS roster, complete the Volunteer Lawyer Application Form. We will contact you within a few days to confirm your involvement.

VLS Training & Resources

For support resources, insurance information and other tools to help you as a pro bono volunteer in Ontario, see ProbonoNet for Lawyers, the online pro bono resource tool for volunteer lawyers. Online pro bono CLE training materials and video--CLE Primer on Incorporations and Charitable Registrations--are available HERE. (This is a password-protected area, so please follow instructions to get access.)

Case Follow Up

Have you handled a case for a VLS client? Please complete our Case Follow Up Survey