The University of Manitoba campuses and research spaces are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Dene and Inuit, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2
Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) envisions a society with accessible legal systems, where the dignity and rights of every person are upheld. Our mission is to provide free legal support to people and communities facing barriers to justice. We do this by engaging 1,500 law students annually across 22 law schools to support community organizations, under the supervision of lawyers. We cultivate future leaders to tackle the most pressing social justice issues of our time.
The Program Coordinators cannot assist individuals seeking legal advice. If you are seeking legal advice, consider these great resources.
Dignity. We believe that every person is entitled to respect, to have their voice heard, and to fully enjoy their rights.
Equity. We stand for substantive equality, inclusion, and diversity in all of its forms. We focus on impact, not just good intentions.
Humility. We prioritize listening, learning and self-reflection. We value the wisdom of the communities we serve, and their lived experiences inform our work.
Leaders in our industry, our national funders and partners make PBSC’s mission possible.
We envision a society with accessible legal systems, where the dignity and rights of every person are upheld. Our mission is to provide free legal support to people and communities facing barriers to justice.
Across Canada, around 1,500 PBSC volunteers provide approximately 120,000 hours of free support to nearly 400 organizations across the country.
Each year, the University of Manitoba PBSC Chapter places volunteer law students with public interest organizations, legal clinics, tribunals, and lawyers taking on pro bono projects. Students perform a variety of law-related tasks such as performing client intake, completing legal research, and providing legal information to organizations and individuals.
PBSC was established in 1996 at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. At the time, it was the first and only pro bono organizations in Canada. The visionary support of two key players - founding Dean Ronald Daniels and the Law Foundation of Ontario - were instrumental in launching the organization. Through the creation of PBSC, Dean Daniels aimed to combine education and public interest volunteer work, with the goal of ensuring that each new generation of lawyers would enter the profession committed to pro bono philosophy and practice.
Collaborative. We engage approximately 1,500 law students annually to provide free legal information and services in partnership with community organizations and supervising lawyers and notaries.
Visionary. We cultivate future leaders, advocates and allies through training and experiential learning opportunities. PBSC has student-led Chapters at 22 law schools in Canada.
Responsive. Our Chapters respond to local needs in their communities across all areas of law. At PBSC National, we develop programs that address complex and systemic inequities.
The PBSC National Office is housed at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Each chapter is managed by one or more Program Coordinators who develop chapter projects, maintain and cultivate relationships with community organizations and lawyers, promote their PBSC chapters, organize and host events, and recruit, train and monitor law student volunteers. The Program Coordinators are law students. Each law faculty is responsible for the operation of its own PBSC chapter, including the chapter's finances, programs and projects, and employees.
PBSC Manitoba facilitates a wide variety of projects, which usually fall into one of the following categories:
Students are expected to volunteer for 3-5 hours per week from October to March, excluding the month of December. Students are also expected to attend one mandatory general training in September. Each PBSC project is carefully developed so that they do not interfere with studying for exams or achieving academic success.
Applications for the 2026-2027 school year open September 4th, 2026. Applications are due on September 12th, 2026 at 11:59pm. Please keep an eye on your University of Manitoba email account for complete application details and for a list of projects for the 2026/27 school year.
For all inquiries relating to the Pro Bono Students of Canada at the University of Manitoba, please contact: Dallas Gillingham and Noah Kornelsen.
The Program Coordinators cannot assist individuals seeking legal advice.
If you are seeking legal advice, consider these great resources
