National (June 2, 2025) - For the third year in a row, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) has been named a Canadian Lawyer 5-Star Pro Bono Firm, recognizing the firm’s continued commitment to expanding access to justice through pro bono legal services.
In 2024, BLG professionals across the country dedicated more than 7,800 hours to pro bono work, providing legal support valued at over $4.3 million. These contributions helped individuals and organizations who could not otherwise afford legal assistance and addressed issues ranging from veterans’ benefits to nonprofit governance.
“I choose to get involved in pro bono work because it is a great way to see the direct impact of our ability to help others with our legal training,” said Michelle Doody, a partner in Ottawa. “There are so many barriers to allowing people to access the legal system in our province, and I think we should do what we can to help remove some of those barriers.”
Francesca Lee, an associate in Toronto, finds fulfillment supporting organizations on corporate governance issues. But helping others is not the only benefit. “Pro bono work is not just about giving back to the community. It’s also about personal growth,” she said. “While you’re making a difference in people’s lives, you’re also making a difference in your own life, professionally and personally.”
In Vancouver, partner Tamara Wong contributed pro bono legal support to grassroots charities providing childhood education, anti-bullying programs, food security and sanitation resources in developing countries. “Grassroots charities often lack access to specialized legal advice, yet they are the backbones of our community,” she said. “Pro bono work is a meaningful way of enhancing our community.”
BLG’s lawyers, through the firm’s pro bono program, contributed to several impactful legal outcomes. In Calgary, Matthew Schneider and Aidan Paul carried forward the firm’s longstanding support of Canadian veterans. They represented a Canadian Armed Forces veteran who was denied benefits after injuring his femur during a mandatory recreation activity with his unit. Following two successful judicial reviews and continued denials by the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, the Federal Court ruled in the veteran’s favor, ordering that his pension benefits be paid.
They also assisted an RCMP veteran who was denied medical benefits for injuries sustained while intervening as a peace officer during an off-duty incident in a Calgary park. The Federal Court found the Board’s decision was flawed and ordered the matter reconsidered in light of its findings.
BLG lawyers defended an athlete who was facing a four-year sanction for an alleged anti-doping rule violation. The athlete, who was fasting for Ramadan, was unable to provide a urine sample during out-of-competition testing. The arbitrator ruled in the athlete’s favor, also finding that the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport had discriminated against him.
On a national scale, the firm supported not-for-profit organizations appearing before the Supreme Court of Canada, including Aboriginal Legal Services, the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) and the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic. BLG lawyers reviewed and revised documents and guided these organizations through the Court process.
The firm also advised La Maison Prélude, a shelter for women and children affected by domestic violence, on the negotiation of a collective agreement to support the organization’s operations and continued service.
Two BLG lawyers—Francesca Lee and Jake Wildman-Sisk—were named to Pro Bono Ontario’s 2024 Access to Justice Honour Roll, recognizing their dedication to providing critical legal services to Ontarians in need.
These efforts reflect the dedication of BLG professionals at all levels who continue to use their legal knowledge to serve their communities and expand access to justice.
Learn more about BLG’s long pro bono history on our pro bono page.