Pro Bono Program

A core tenet or our legal system is the universal right to legal representation. However, in actuality, there exist many social and financial barriers to accessing counsel. As skilled practitioners in a profession that is uniquely able to provide such services, we acknowledge our shared responsibility to fill the gap between need and accessibility.

Through our Pro Bono Program, we address legal matters of public interest on behalf of marginalized people and groups that otherwise face barriers to accessing services. Annually, on average, our lawyers provide $500,000 in free legal services to clients who might otherwise go unaided. Since 2012, we have provided 19,000 hours of free legal services to nearly 900 clients.

To generate meaningful pro bono connections, we actively engage underserved communities, such as historic Black communities in Atlantic Canada, which we serve through our People of African Descent Legal Services Initiative. We also partner with community-focused organizations, such as:

• Centre for Women in Business SPICE Program
• Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia
• IWK Health Centre
• Public Legal Information Association of NL
• Association for New Canadians
• Inclusion Canada NL
• Probono Students Canada
• TrustLaw Foundation

In 2023, Canadian Lawyer Magazine named McInnes Cooper a 5-Star Pro Bono Firm. The inaugural award recognized 20 law firms across Canada for our shared commitment to improve access to justice through pro bono service.