You are probably thinking: what are LSLAP and PBSC, and why are there so many acronyms in law school? Don’t worry, by the end of Orientation Week, you will be well acquainted with both of these programs, and may be wondering which one to choose. To make your decision a little easier, the LSLAP Exec and PBSC Coordinators have gotten together to give you a rundown.
Both programs allow law students to gain practical legal experience under the supervision of a lawyer, and benefit the community by increasing access to justice. Each one provides valuable networking opportunities with real lawyers, and both are well-known and respected in the legal community.
Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC)
PBSC is a student-run, national organization with chapters in every law school in Canada. We match volunteer law students with non-profit organizations in the community to provide legal research, writing, public legal education, and client interviewing. Our projects and organization vary widely, from sport law, to business law, to environmental law, to women’s rights and more.
Pros:
1) Very manageable time commitment (3-5 hours/week, no time during exam months).
2) Opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge and experience in specific areas of law.
3) Wide range of practical experiences available (research, drafting, client intake etc.) in diverse legal settings.
Cons:
1) Must submit a resume and application form to apply.
2) Volunteers do not give legal advice or represent clients.
3) Most projects are done remotely and students may feel like they aren’t really “hands on”.
Law Students Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
LSLAP is a student run legal aid clinic that provides free legal advice and advocacy to low-income individuals, under the supervision of experienced supervising lawyers. Volunteers attend legal clinics throughout Vancouver and then have the opportunity to represent clients from start to finish, with issues ranging from wills, to immigration, to criminal law.
Pros:
1) Regular client contact and the opportunity to represent clients in court.
2) Paid summer positions for clinicians are available.
3) No application form required, just sign up online.
Cons:
1) Clinicians required to travel to a clinic (locations in and around Vancouver) once a week.
2) Some files can be time-consuming (though the overall time commitment is flexible and up to the student)
3) Taking on real legal issues can be daunting.
LSLAP and PBSC sound so awesome! Can I do both?
Some students choose to do both LSLAP and PBSC, but we recommend sticking with one. It is easy to overextend yourself in first year and many students that sign up for both end up dropping one. You will be exposed to a ton of clubs, programs, and volunteer opportunities in first week, so make sure you think about your interests in advance, prioritize, and choose wisely. Oh, and don’t forget to leave some time for school work and having FUN!
This year, PBSC and LSLAP have worked together to ensure that all law students have as many opportunities to get involved with pro bono work as possible. PBSC has moved up their application deadline so that student who do not receive a position still have time to join LSLAP, and LSLAP will permit these students to sign up even if they miss the first LSLAP training session.
Both PBSC and LSLAP have offices right here in Allard Hall, and we would be more than happy to chat with you about the programs or law school in general. PBSC is in Room 138, and will be run by Kalie McCrystal and Claire Haaf this year. You can also shoot them an email at pbsc.ubc@gmail.com, or check out their website at www.pbsc.law.ubc.ca. Juliana and Ricky are heading up LSLAP this year, and are located in Room 133. Check them out online at www.lslap.bc.ca.
Enjoy the rest of your summer and we will see you in September!
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