FOR LAWYERS
Opportunities for lawyers
At Rise, there are many ways in which we collaborate with lawyers across the province. We are very grateful to lawyers who volunteer with us to provide summary advice to our clients, serve as conflict counsel, provide their expertise in legal matters, and partner with us through research and training.
Through our work, we have identified gaps in the family law system related to understanding abuse and screening for family violence. To address these gaps, we provide on-going training on family violence for lawyers.
Online Training For Lawyers
Rise Professional Legal Education is a CPD-accredited training platform that provides practical training for lawyers. Because most of our clients are experiencing or have experienced family violence, our courses focus on understanding abuse, screening for family violence, and supporting clients through trauma-informed practice.
Developed with legal and community experts, our training combines essential theory and case law with clear, useful strategies lawyers can apply immediately. Our goal is to help lawyers navigate sensitive situations, strengthen their skills, and provide safer, more effective services.
Volunteer With Us
As a community legal centre, we provide our self-representing clients (persons who identify as women or gender diverse) with free virtual summary advice service.
Volunteer lawyers do not provide representation.
Requirements to volunteer
You are a practicing lawyer in British Columbia with at least 2-3 years of family law practice experience. Rise primarily assists clients in family law matters.
You can provide summary advice service to at least 6 clients a year with a minimum of 3 hours (and up to 6 hours) per client.
You complete our online volunteer lawyer training course prior to working with clients, for which you can claim 3.5 CPD credits.
“I would recommend it to anyone looking to do effective and meaningful pro bono work.”
— Patrick Grayer, volunteer lawyer since 2019
We are incredibly grateful to Gowling WLG for their ongoing volunteer support of Rise. If your firm is interested in volunteering, please reach out to: development@womenslegalcentre.ca
Support Rise’s work
Our clients are often survivors of family violence, caught in the gap between being ineligible for legal aid, yet unable to afford legal services. Here's what your gift can do:
Rise Women’s Legal Centre is a registered charity. #76336 8099 RR0001
A tax receipt will be issued for every donation in any amount.
