October 29, 2018
World War I Law Students Posthumous Bar Call Ceremony
Some immigrated from abroad or moved from within Canada, others were born and raised Albertans. Some attended the University of Alberta, others studied or articled as students in Calgary, Medicine Hat, Red Deer and Lethbridge. Most were in their 20s, three were in their 30s and one was 18-years-old.

Instead of being called to the Bar, 37 Alberta law students answered the ultimate call for our country. They perished in World War I before they could return home to become lawyers. 

“Their bravery and sacrifice allow today’s lawyers to continue to stand for justice.” said Don Cranston, QC, President of the Law Society of Alberta. “This is something that should never be taken for granted.”

In memory and recognition of their sacrifice, the Law Society of Alberta Board of Directors (also known as Benchers) passed a resolution to posthumously admit these 37 law students to the Alberta Bar. 

This initiative is led by the Legal Archives Society of Alberta’s project titled “We Have Not Forgotten”. The Bar Call ceremony will take place on November 9, 2018 in the Ceremonial Court at the Calgary Court Center at 4 p.m.

Part-time Membership Fees Survey Closes October 31
Thank you to those who have completed our part-time membership fee survey. We want to hear from as many lawyers and students as possible to provide the most accurate representation of views about part-time membership fees. The survey closes at midnight on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. 

We encourage those who have yet to participate to visit our engagement website to learn more and fill out a 10 minute survey. The information gathered from the survey will help inform any decisions about potential part-time membership fees. As a token of our appreciation for your time and feedback, you can enter a draw at the end of the survey to win a complimentary LESA course of your choice (excludes multi-day programs).
Court of Queen's Bench Notice
Call for Legal Clinic Volunteer Lawyers for the Edmonton Community Legal Centre
The Edmonton Community Legal Centre (ECLC) has been offering free legal advice clinics to low income people for over 15 years and the need has never been greater. Even a bit of help goes a long way.

Every year ECLC schedules over 3,600 client appointments with the wonderful contribution of time from lawyers like you. The legal clinics take place at the ECLC downtown office. There are lots of things that make it easy to volunteer including: 

  • Pre-booked appointments with brief client and matter descriptions taken in advance.
  • Administrative support to assist with photocopying and client flow.
  • Online access to legal resources, law library, and common forms.
  • Affordable parking in the evening. 
  • Secure building with on-site security staff.
  • Bright space with large clinic offices. 

To volunteer, please call 780.702.1725 ext. 285, or email Giselle General. Daytime and evening appointment times are available.
Alberta Law Foundation 2017 Annual Report
The Alberta Law Foundation (ALF) 2017 Annual Report is now available. In the 2016-17 fiscal year,
ALF-funded programs supported over 290,000 Albertans with legal advice, representation, education, information and referral. In total, 61 grants with an aggregate value of $14.3 million were allocated to organizations across the province, in addition to the $2.9 million allocated to Legal Aid Alberta. 

For over 40 years, the Alberta Law Foundation has been the recipient of interest which banks, credit unions, trust companies, and treasury branches pay on clients' funds held in lawyers' pooled trust accounts. These funds are made available to organizations that provide services in keeping with the Foundation’s objects of legal research and law reform, law libraries, public legal education, and direct legal services to vulnerable populations.
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