Torys believes that the legal profession enjoys a unique role in the community and has the skills and resources to provide services in the public interest.
To that end, Torys is committed to its collective responsibility of providing pro bono legal services to individuals and organizations in need. Both our New York and Toronto offices encourage our lawyers to be active in pro bono matters and to identify pro bono opportunities that are of particular interest. Articling and summer students also have the opportunity to work on pro bono matters.
Our pro bono activities in each office are governed by a written policy and overseen by our Pro Bono Committee consisting of both partners and associates. This committee is responsible for
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fostering relationships with public interest and community organizations to generate pro bono opportunities
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circulating notices of available pro bono matters
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otherwise promoting pro bono work
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screening and approving pro bono matters
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assisting with the supervision and staffing of pro bono matters
In addition to pro bono litigation opportunities, we seek corporate, commercial, tax, intellectual property, real estate and environmental pro bono opportunities for our lawyers. We do not provide pro bono legal services for criminal or family law matters.
In addition to representing clients on a pro bono basis, we also encourage our lawyers to engage in public service activities that do not involve the delivery of legal services: professional or charitable activities (such as participation on non-profit boards of directors) and bar association committees.