PBSC QUEEN'S
PRESENTS
PAST STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
2017-2018 PROJECTS
BEDFORD MINING ALERT
2017.11.17
Meet Haley Zerr, Holly Anderson, Chelsea Dobrindt and Kevin Mooibroek - Our Bedford Mining Alert team this year!
On this project the students are working on the Bedford Mining Alert. This team is tackling a lot of issues, including reviewing mining claims that have lapsed, reviews and responses from the Ontario Ombudsman and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, as well as reviewing the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission relating to mining activities.
PASAN - CLASS ACTIONS
2017.11.24
Meet Priya Patel, Jeremy Ambraska and Amita Persad-Ford - Who are working on the PASAN Class Actions project this year!
Students are working to inform prisoners about what class actions actually are, and potential class actions prisoners can join. Students will use the findings of their research to develop articles for PASAN's prisoner newspaper, Cell Count.
Way to go team!
ABLE SAIL
2017.12.02
Meet Jake Vogl, Brian Bennett and Chris Sullivan who are working on the Able Sail: Charitable Donations of Art and Jewelry Project this year!
Students are creating a toolbox on charities’ legal obligations when giving tax receipts for charitable donations when the donations are art, jewelry or services.
Way to go team!
METRAC
2018.01.12
Meet Esther Deck who worked on the METRAC project this year!
Esther is helping METRAC to develop resources for the organization’s legal information websites, namely, the Ontario Women’s Justice Network (OWJN) and Family Law Education for Women (FLEW).
PRO BONO RADIO
2018.01.19
2018.02.23
Meet Jill Whitehead and Frank Piazza who worked on Pro Bono Radio this year!
Students are working to develop and run a radio program and podcast; prepared and presented by law students. Pro Bono Radio discusses interesting and off-centre legal topics that stimulate interest and provide valuable information while always being entertaining.
IMMIGRATION AND CORRECTIONS
2018.02.03
Meet Kali Larsen and Arielle Sie-Mah working on the Immigration and Correctional Law Project this year!
Students are helping a local law firm - the Morley Law Office - with research for Legal Aid files. The students research will help clients who have immigration and correctional problems associated with deportation, detention, parole, and refugee claims. Way to go team!
UNDERSTANDING LEARNING DISABILITIES FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES
2018.02.09
Meet Monisha Ambwani and Julianna Hoekstra working on the LDAK: Understanding Learning Disabilities for Emergency Services Project this year!
Students are researching the legal aspects of protecting the rights of those with learning disabilities and how this can come into conflict with the law. The focus will be on legal rights for emergency services (police and the legal system) and corresponding gaps that exist. Way to go team!
UNCONTESTED DIVORCES
2018.02.16
Meet Spencer Sloane, Mackenzie Anderson and Sarah McCarthy working of the QFLC: Uncontested Divorces Brochure this year!
The project will help the clinic's clients better understand when an uncontested divorce is available, and what documents and forms one may need. Way to go team!
CRIMINAL INJURIES
COMPENSATION BOARD
2018.02.23
Meet Alex Robart and Thomas Gray who worked on the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board Brochure this year!
This legal rights brochure project will help the clinic's clients better understand their rights when making an application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board for compensation for the injuries they sustained as victims of crimes.
KINGSTON MUSEUM PROJECT
2018.03.02
Meet Tiao Lucy Yang, Tanya Gill, Shane Liquornik and Sean Nouch who worked on the Kingston Museum Project this year!
Our students are reviewing the legal implications of the organization’s existing policy for recruiting volunteers, and researching the associated legal implications and best practices.
MARTHA'S TABLE ID CLINIC
2018.03.10
2018.02.23
Meet Olga Michtchouk, Alysha Flipse, Kate Zoldos, Effie Lin and Rob Maratta who worked on the ID Project this year!
The ID clinic works with the marginalized and homeless population of Kingston and helps them navigate through the paperwork necessary to obtain personal identification. Way to go team!
FEE WAIVER PROJECT
2018.03.16
Meet Karla McGrath, Olga Michtchouk and Ben Clarke worked on the PBSC Fee Waiver Initiative this year!
In the ID Clinic's inaugural year at Queen's Law, students and faculty realized that the fees associated with obtaining Government ID required for essential services were causing a barrier for individuals below a certain income level. This year, the Fee Waiver Initiative is working alongside the ID Clinic to advocate fee waivers for in-need individuals and working with local MPPs to resolve this access-to-justice issue systemically.
ACCESS WITHOUT FEAR POLICY PROJECT
2018.03.23
Meet Zoe Busuttil, Murray Fallis, Raman Sehmbi, Natasha Liu and Shauna Bartlett who worked on the Access Without Fear Policy Project last year!
Our volunteers are conducting research to help Solidarity Kingston call for the City of Kingston to adopt a sanctuary city policy. The adoption of this policy would make a meaningful impact on the lives of undocumented persons in our local community.
2016-2017 PROJECTS
PRO BONO RADIO
2016.10.20
Alex Hood,
Chief Technology Officer
Pro Bono Radio has given me the opportunity to directly improve my oral advocacy and improvisation skills through the medium of broadcasting.
Brody Appotive,
PBR Project Lead
Pro Bono Radio increases access to justice through public legal education. PBR makes legal information more accessible, engaging, and entertaining for the Queen’s and greater Kingston communities.
Sarah Spitz,
Editing Coordinator
At Pro Bono Radio, we have learned not to take ourselves or the law too seriously. Speaking about unique legal topics and current events in a fun and engaging way is educational for us as well as our audience.
MEET THE TEAM
NAPANEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PROJECT
2016.10.26
Egi Troka,
Project Lead
As Project Lead, I enjoy guiding our group to fulfill the project’s mandate. It’s a unique experience that exposes me to legal issues faced by businesses; some that we would not have otherwise been exposed to in an academic setting.
Kevin Lambie,
Project Volunteer
Pro Bono work is more important than ever. There are too many citizens being priced out of legal services. PBSC is a remedy to the vicious cycle of the justice system’s inefficiency and lack
of affordability.
MEET THE TEAM
Tyler Morrison,
Project Volunteer
Promoting access to justice is vital to those who choose to partake in the legal profession. PBSC gives law students the opportunity to make a difference.
Malvin Seto,
Project Volunteer
My motivation for wanting to practice law is to empower individuals in tough situations to regain control. Through the NCC Project, our team will be providing public legal education for small business owners in the area.
Sawyer Swarek,
Project Volunteer
I wanted to get involved with the NCC Project because of my personal interest in the crossroads between law and business, as well as my belief in the importance of small businesses to local communities and our economy as a whole.
BEDFORD MINING ALERT
2016.11.2
Chris Tworzyanski,
Project Volunteer
We have a great team on the Bedford Mining Alert Project. I hope that this project will help sway political opinion regarding the confusing states of land and mining rights that currently exist in Ontario.
Colin Cheng,
Project Lead
PBSC is a great opportunity to work with other students, legal professionals, and members of the community. This project raises awareness about the shortcomings of Ontario mining legislation, and will hopefully result in positive changes.
Jimmy Burg
Project Volunteer
This project is a struggle for stronger protection of private property rights of Canadians. We are working toward the ultimate goal of changing the law to benefit individual land owners.
MEET THE TEAM
SHORELINE DISTURBANCE PROJECT
2016.11.2
Hendrik Venter,
Project Volunteer
PBSC is a way we can give something back to the Kingston community. As law students we are a privileged group, and staying grounded in the legal issues of ordinary people helps us remember what all the classes and moots and exams are for: defending the rule of law by advising and advocating for our clients.
James Dilworth,
Project Lead
Pro Bono work allows the legal profession to interact with the community in unique ways. Through this type of work, we are able to give back to the community in order to provide them with the legal aid they deserve.
Maddie Macdonald,
Project Volunteer
Our Pro Bono project has given us the chance to connect with community members among Bob’s Lake and legal professionals in order to achieve common goals. I think Pro Bono allows us to engage in community building, which is mutually beneficial and meaningful.
MEET THE TEAM
AUTISM ONTARIO LEGAL KNOWLEDGE WORKSHOP
2016.11.17
Anthony Trichilo,
Project Lead
I got involved with PBSC's Autism Ontario Legal Knowledge Workshop for my sister.
Denniel Duong,
Project Volunteer
I wanted to go to law school simply because I wanted to help as many people as I could, and PBSC was the
next logical step.
Ben Clarke,
Project Volunteer
I wanted to get involved with PBSC because I look forward to learning from the hands on experience, and I wanted to give back to the community.
MEET THE TEAM
NEWCOMERS AND THE LAW: DOES IT WORK FOR EVERYONE?
2016.11.22
Hisham Imtiaz,
Project Lead
By leading this project, I am in a position to empower newcomers and help with a successful transition into life in Canada.
Spencer Putnam,
Project Volunteer
Our legal training sessions provide social workers and community leaders with practical information to help newcomers exercise their rights.
Haley Zerr,
Project Volunteer
PBSC is a rewarding experience, allowing us as students to give back to the community, as well as giving practical legal experience.
MEET THE TEAM
LEGAL EDUCATION FOR REFUGEES PROJECT
2017.1.16
MEET THE TEAM
Cam Rempel,
Project Volunteer
We're all involved with this project with PBSC because we're passionate about doing pro bono legal work and improving access to justice. We hope to carry that forward throughout our time in law school and as lawyers in the future.
Yamen Fadel,
Project Lead
Pro Bono is important because it provides access to justice; it is a venue for students to give back to a community that has not been as privileged. It is a way for both the community and the students to benefit each other and instill a lasting sense of support and collaboration between the community and the law society.
Zoë Busuttil,
Project Volunteer
I applied to law school because I believe that the legal profession is exceptionally important in the way that it can be used as a tool to help individuals in vulnerable communities. The work that Pro Bono allows law students to do is incredible because we are able to work towards making the law more accessible to all.
THE ID CLINIC:
ID ACCESS AND LEGAL REFERRALS FOR THE HOMELESS AND MARGINALLY HOUSED
2017.1.23
MEET THE TEAM
The ID CLINIC team discusses their work with PBSC, why pro bono work is important, and how their project benefits the community.
Olga Michtchouk,
Project Volunteer
I wanted to become part of this project because some of my most valuable experiences throughout law school have involved giving something back to the Kingston community through the promotion of accessible justice.
Caroline Tarjan,
Project Lead
I got involved with the PBSC ID CLINIC project because I wanted a chance to contribute to the Kingston community and to work one-on-one with clients.
Andrea Bandow,
Project Volunteer
The ID Clinic benefits the community in providing greater accessibility to individuals seeking assistance in obtaining government issued ID. In turn, it improves their accessibility to critical government, financial and business services that require proof of identity.
FAMILY LAW LITIGANT SURVEY:
FAMILY COURT LITIGANT PROJECT
2017.1.31
MEET PROF. BALA
Prof. Nick Bala discusses his research, including his work with PBSC.
Beth Ambury,
Project Lead
It's important to get involved with this kind of important work in law school so it becomes a habit as you move into your career.
Zac Dubeau,
Project Volunteer
Pro Bono provides an opportunity for Queen’s law students to give back to the community here in Kingston. As students we also gain valuable practical legal knowledge and skills that we can carry forward with us throughout our careers.
Allison Neville,
Project Volunteer
PBSC is a rewarding experience that allows us to gain practical legal experience while giving back and making a difference in the community.
FAMILY LAW PROJECT
2017.2.6
Aisha Hussain,
Project Volunteer
I wanted to get involved with the Family Law Project because of the hands on experience of working with clients who are going through a very difficult time in their life, and who trust you to help them through it.
Kristina Maitland,
Project Volunteer
This project makes legal advice more accessible to those in need and allows them to meet with law students who may be more approachable and less intimidating to those who have never required legal services before.
Perry Rutherford,
Project Volunteer
Pro Bono gives students the opportunity to engage critically with the law outside of the classroom, to apply their learning, and expand their understanding of the law.
IMMIGRATION AND CORRECTIONAL
LAW PROJECT
2017.2.13
Ana Toma,
Project Lead
PBSC advances access to justice and it reminds us that, as lawyers, we have a special obligation to keep advancing access to justice.
Caileigh Gruner,
Project Volunteer
I am passionate about law as a tool for positive change in the world, and this PBSC project improves access to justice for vulnerable people.
CCLA RIGHTS WATCH PROJECT
2017.2.28
Siobhan Morris,
Project Lead
Pro Bono work offers students such as myself the invaluable opportunity to pursue their legal education in an entirely different medium! Pro Bono gives students the chance to acquire hands-on legal knowledge, while at the same time helping to meet the needs of the community.
Jeremy Mutton,
Project Volunteer
The students who write for the RightsWatch project are very intelligent and very good writers, and its great that we can give CCLA and PBSC a law student voice and perspective on these issues, and hopefully spread a little bit of awareness to the wider society.
YOUTH DIVERSION MENTAL HEALTH LAW PROJECT
2017.3.6
Kyle Quinlan,
Project Lead
Pro Bono allows law students to apply their legal skills for the betterment of the community at large. This project not only allowed me to sharpen my legal skills, it allowed me to give back to the community as a law student.
Ivneet Garcha,
Project Volunteer
As a Master of Public Health graduate, the Youth Diversion Mental Health Law project provided me with the perfect opportunity to get engaged in a project that brought together my interests in health and law.
QLA CLIENT LEGAL RIGHTS BROCHURE: HUMAN RIGHTS
2017.3.15
Effie Lin,
Project Lead
Coming into law school, I wanted to learn more about the intersection of human rights and the law and also gain some insight into human rights advocacy. This project was the perfect fit.
Giancarlo Mignardi,
Project Volunteer
This project allowed me to continue exploring human rights protections in Ontario while simultaneously providing information to those in the community who have experienced human rights-related grievances.