As Julia Belanger steps into her third and final year at UNB Law, she continues to lead the UNB chapter of Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) with dedication and passion. Now in her second year as the Program Coordinator, Julia is spending her summer connecting with non-profit organizations to develop impactful projects that tackle access to justice issues across multiple areas of law.
“I really enjoy the opportunity to collaborate with these organizations and to seek out interested lawyers—who are equally passionate about access to justice—to supervise our student volunteers this upcoming year.”
Come fall, Julia oversees the promotion and recruitment process, matching eager law students with organizations and supervisors to tackle a range of access to justice barriers. The projects address issues for seniors, the wrongfully convicted, Indigenous communities, reproductive rights, and environmental conservation, to name a few.
Julia's interest in helping underserved communities began long before her law school days. She was searching for a way to incorporate these values into her education and career.
"I was always interested in promoting the rights of people who were disadvantaged and have always felt strongly that equity is essential in society."
Her passion for promoting equity led her to study Victimology during the pandemic, where she observed the underfunding and lack of resources in many client-based programs. This experience inspired her to pursue law school—where she found PBSC.
"Pro Bono work is one of the answers for the access to justice issues facing organizations such as Victim Services and many others," said Julia. “This work can help alleviate the burden on frontline workers and promote fairness within the justice system. For partner organizations, pro bono work can make the difference between being able to tackle a barrier or provide client services and not being able to do so.”
By facilitating PBSC projects, she aims to support these organizations in providing essential services that would otherwise be impossible due to budget, time, or resource constraints.
"It's a mutually beneficial partnership—students gain experience and learn from experts, while organizations receive key help that advances their work. It's a beautiful thing."
The 2023-24 PBSC program at UNB saw significant achievements under Julia's leadership. One standout project was the expansion of the Imprint Trans ID clinic. Partnering with the Université de Moncton Chapter, the Imprint Youth Association, and McInnes Cooper, the clinic provides virtual assistance for individuals seeking to change their identification to match their true selves. Originally a local project, the clinic expanded online during the pandemic to serve the entire Maritimes, and this past year, it extended its reach to French-speaking individuals in New Brunswick.
Another highlight was the partnership with Inclusion Canada, an organization dedicated to advancing the full inclusion and human rights of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. The PBSC team worked with Inclusion Canada to study how disabilities are handled within case law. Kurt Goddard, the Executive Director of Legal and Public Affairs at Inclusion Canada, spoke to PBSC volunteers at the Faculty of Law, fostering connections that promise to lead to more projects focused on accessibility issues in New Brunswick.
In addition to the continuation of many deep-rooted partnerships, Julia has ambitious plans for growth for the upcoming year of programming—specifically, the development of a program in victim services.
"I would like to find a victim service agency that could use our help. Last year, I attempted to create a project in this area, but many non-profits don’t have the resources to facilitate such projects," she explains. “It’s the irony of the situation—some of the agencies most in need of help don’t have the capacity available to take on any extra facilitation work.”
Despite this challenge, Julia remains hopeful about finding the right organization and supervisor to make this project a reality. Additionally, she is inspired to develop a project addressing accessibility issues in New Brunswick, motivated by witnessing a friend's struggles with everyday tasks many take for granted.
“Pro bono work is not only about helping the community but also about shaping the future of the legal profession. Volunteer work should be part of every lawyer’s career. It allows students to see the importance of this work and develop a passion for it. Additionally, PBSC projects offer valuable experiential learning opportunities, helping students develop research and client service skills that are incredibly helpful for their law school work.”
For students interested in getting involved, Julia will be distributing the project booklet in September, hosting an information session, and providing all necessary application information. Students can also visit the PBSC website or email Julia (probono@unb.ca) for more details.
“Alumni and community members can also play a significant role in PBSC. We are looking for non-profit organizations that could benefit from legal research, public education, or client-services help. Lawyers willing to supervise projects are also needed."
Organization and individuals interested in getting involved in the 2024-25 program can connect with Julia at probono@unb.ca.
"We are working to develop new projects by the end of July, so the sooner, the better. I look forward to hearing from you!"
