COMMUNITY ACTION
Community Action
While involved in innumerable community activities, the Toronto Lawyers Association represents our members to the Ontario bench and bar, to all levels of government, and to the public at large. We participate in charitable events, liaise with other legal associations, provide educational mock trials at local public schools, and sit on committees related to legal and courthouse issues.
TLA steps up to aid Pro Bono Ontario
An outpouring of support from the legal profession has made a difference at Pro Bono Ontario (PBO), as the organization expects the Law Help Centres, in danger of closing on Dec. 14, 2018, will remain open in the short term until more sustainable funding can be secured.
Members of the profession who have been urging the provincial government or the Law Society of Ontario to provide sustained funding, have turned out their own pockets to keep PBO’s Law Help Centres open. The court-based centres in Toronto and Ottawa assist over 18,000 Ontarians facing the justice system alone.
Dirk Derstine, a partner at Derstine Penman, and past president of the Toronto Lawyers Association (TLA), said the TLA’s board realized the situation was dire and decided to make a $35,000 donation to fill PBO’s short-term fundraising goal to keep the doors of the centres open until more sustainable funding can be secured.
“I think that everybody in the justice system recognizes what a crucial role Pro Bono Ontario plays in the administration of justice,” he said, noting that it provides people a shot at getting help and also saves the judicial system a lot of time. “It’s a wonderful program and it’s a program that ought to be funded by government ,” he added. Read the full article.
TLA Week at the PBO Hotline, May 7-11, 2018
Pro Bono Ontario’s Free Legal Advice Hotline is barely six months old, and it has already provided pro bono legal services to over 6,000 callers with civil problems and nowhere to turn. It is hard to think of a more concrete and effective way for the legal profession to work together to increase access to justice.
Please consider volunteering your time for one full-day shift during TLA week! May 7-11 has been designated TLA week and we want to get our members out to help low-income Ontarians with, what are to them, overwhelming legal problems. Volunteers arrive at 9 am, and take calls from approximately 9:30 am to 4 pm, with a break for lunch. You can choose which areas of civil law you wish to service. The current choices are: civil procedure; employment; consumer; housing; corporate law for small businesses, charities and non-profits; and, creating powers of attorney. TLA members are encouraged to commit to one full-day shift.
Check the Volunteer FAQs for more details about the hotline. To volunteer, please contact Nicole Kellow at nicole@probonoontario.org or sign-up online.
Still not convinced? Read TLA Secretary Brett Harrison's letter about his experience with PBO. Help us lead by example through community action.
Lawyers Feed the Hungry
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The Law Society Foundation
The Toronto Lawyers Association is proud that 100% of our Board of Directors support the Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry program. Please consider making a donation to this worthy cause, sponsoring a meal or even donating your time to volunteer at a meal.
Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry is celebrating 20 years of service. Watch the Video.
2018 News & Events
5th Annual Billiards with the Bar 2018: Chalk One Up Against Hunger
Thursday, October 18, 2018
6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., 2nd Floor, Toronto
Casual attire. Tickets $90 each, food included. Cash Bar.
All proceeds to the Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry program. Full details here.
2017 News & Events
Fall Ball - Dancing with the Bar 2017
Friday, November 24, 2017
7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Location and details to be announced.
4th Annual Billiards with the Bar 2017: Chalk One Up Against Hunger
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., 2nd Floor, Toronto
Casual attire. Tickets $90 each, food included. Cash Bar.
All proceeds to the Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry program. Full details here.
Bowl-a-Thon - Make a strike against hunger!
Sunday, April 9, 2017
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Bathurst Bowlerama, 2788 Bathurst Street, North York, ON
For information on how to purchase tickets or be a sponsor, see the event flyer.
13th Annual Bugsy and Ken Charity Golf Tournament
Benefiting Lawyers Feed the Hungry and Camp Oochiegeas
June 14, 2017, Shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. / Reception at 5:00 p.m. / Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
DiamondBack Golf Club, 13300 Leslie Street, Richmond Hill
Each year the colleagues, friends and families of David H. "Bugsy" Newman, Q.C., and Ken Danson pay tribute to their memory by organizing and supporting this successful event, which also benefits Camp Oochiegeas, a camp for kids with cancer. To date, over $550,000 has been raised by the annual tournament.
This year's honourees are: The Hon. George Strathy, Chief Justice of Ontario and Elyse Strathy
Play some golf or enjoy a dinner with good company for a worthwhile cause. Full details here.
2016 News & Events
Fall Ball 2016
Friday, November 25, 2016
7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Le Dome Banquet Hall, 1173 North Service Road East, Oakville
Dinner, Dancing, Silent Auction, Cash Bar
Live Music by the John Street Band. Formal Attire required.
Tickets $185.00 pp. All proceeds to the Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry program.
For information on how to purchase tickets, see the event flyer.
3rd Annual Billiards with the Bar: Chalk One up Against Hunger
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., 2nd Floor, Toronto
Casual attire. Tickets $90 each, food included. Cash Bar.
All proceeds to the Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry program. Full details here.
12th Annual Bugsy and Ken Charity Golf Tournament
Benefiting Lawyers Feed the Hungry and Camp Oochiegeas
June 15, 2016, Shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. / Reception at 5:00 p.m. / Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
DiamondBack Golf Club, Richmond Hill
Each year the colleagues, friends and families of David H. "Bugsy" Newman, Q.C., and Ken Danson pay tribute to their memory by organizing and supporting this successful event, which also benefits Camp Oochiegeas, a camp for kids with cancer. To date, over $550,000 has been raised by the annual tournament.
This year's honouree and guest speaker is Marie Henein.
Play some golf or enjoy a dinner with good company for a worthwhile cause.
2015 News & Events
Monthly Giving
Every week Toronto lawyers connect with hundreds of people through the Feed the Hungry program. Because of the commitment of 100 volunteers and donations made through the Law Society Foundation, 4 hot meals are provided each week, all year round, to those in need. Toronto lawyers should be very proud of this important program that is put on in our names!
The Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry program fills a critical need in the city and demands on the program continue to rise. Unfortunately, despite the increase in the number of guests, donations to the program have declined. As a result, the program is strained financially. Some emergency fundraising initiatives have had to be undertaken recently to ensure that the program could be sustained.
Toronto lawyers can provide much needed stability to the Feed the Hungry program so that it is never at risk again. If every Toronto lawyer contributes $5 each month, the program could be sustained at its current level of service without any additional fundraising initiatives.
The detailed message from the Law Society Foundation with a link to their donation website is available here.
I hope you will join me in supporting this worthwhile cause.
Karen Erlick,
Toronto Lawyers Association Trustee
2nd Annual Billiards with the Bar: Chalk One up Against Hunger
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., 2nd Floor, Toronto
On behalf of the hosts of this event – Neuberger & Partners LLP, Hull & Hull LLP, Toronto Lawyers Association and The Law Society Foundation - we invite you to come out and support the Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program.
As you may know, feeding people in need is the goal of the Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry program, which is funded by the Law Society Foundation (charitable registration no. 11924 1719 RR0001). The program launched in 1998 by providing meals once a week. Today, the program serves meals four times a week. Each month, the Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program provides over 3,500 meals through the Osgoode Hall cafeteria. The cost to run the program, which provides approximately 45,000 meals a year, is almost $350,000 annually. Please join us to support this worthy cause!
Casual attire. Tickets: $90 each
Food included, cash bar.
Bid on interesting and fun items at the Silent Auction.
2014 News & Events
Dancing with the Bar - Act II
Friday, November 7, 2014
7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Le Dome Banquet Hall, 1173 North Service Road East, Oakville
Mark your calendar for an evening of elegance and dance with a Mardi Gras theme! Continuous music from the John Street Band and a DJ, sumptuous gourmet dinner, entertainment and show, cash bar and silent auction. Get out of the hustle and bustle in the city. It’s worth the drive to Oakville!!
Please join us for a fundraiser benefiting the Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program.
Program Chairs: Citibank, Law Society Foundation, and Toronto Lawyers Association.
Billiards with the Bar: Chalk One up Against Hunger
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Chalkers Pub Billiards Bistro, 247 Marlee Ave
On behalf of the hosts of this event – Neuberger & Partners LLP, Hull & Hull LLP, Toronto Lawyers Association and The Law Society Foundation - we are hoping that you will reserve Tuesday, October 21, 2014 as an evening to support the Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program.
As you may know, feeding people in need is the goal of the Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry program, which is funded by the Law Society Foundation (charitable registration no. 11924 1719 RR0001). The program launched in 1998 by providing meals once a week. Today, the program serves meals four times a week. Each month, the Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program provides over 3,500 meals through the Osgoode Hall cafeteria. The cost to run the program, which provides approximately 45,000 meals a year, is almost $350,000 annually.
The generosity of lawyers and their firms has played a key role in this program's ability to help those in need in Toronto. We need your financial support through the Billiards evening to help this program continue its good work. With over 90 cents of every dollar raised going directly to the operation of the program, your contribution goes a long way.
Sustainability is the challenge with an ever growing demand for this program. Lawyers Feed the Hungry plays a vital role in the downtown core, helping individuals and families trapped on the edge. Plan to assist this worthy cause by participating in our Billiards evening, or by being a contributor in support of the event. All contributors will be acknowledged at the event and will receive a letter from the Law Society Foundation for business expense purposes.
Casual attire Tickets: $90 each
Food included, cash bar
Bid on interesting and fun items at the Silent Auction.
As lawyers practicing in Toronto, we can be proud of our role in helping our City’s most vulnerable. Please be a part of this event in support of our own charity – a program that is in ever increasing need of your financial support.
10th Annual Bugsy and Ken Charity Golf Tournament
Benefiting Lawyers Feed the Hungry and Camp Oochiegeas
June 18, 2014
DiamondBack Golf Club, Richmond Hill
Each year the colleagues, friends and families of David H. "Bugsy" Newman, Q.C., and Ken Danson pay tribute to their memory by organizing and supporting this successful event, which also benefits Camp Oochiegeas, a camp for kids with cancer. To date, over $400,000 has been raised by the annual tournament for the Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program.
Register now for the Bugsy and Ken Charity Golf Tournament, taking place this year on June 18, 2014 at the DiamondBack Golf Club in Richmond Hill. Play some golf or enjoy a dinner with good company for a worthwhile cause
For additional information on the Lawyers Feed the Hungry program, please visit the website.
Roundtable of Diversity Associations (RODA)
The Roundtable of Legal Diversity Associations (RODA) is an umbrella organization that brings together a coalition of equity-seeking, Canadian legal associations. RODA was founded in 2011 with the goal of fostering dialogue and promoting initiatives relating to the advancement of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) in the legal profession, the judiciary, and within the broader legal community. As part of our mandate, we monitor and provide input on policy developments within the profession and legal systems.
La Table ronde des associations pour la diversité juridique (RODA) est une organisation cadre regroupant une coalition d'associations juridiques canadiennes soucieuses d’équité. RODA a été fondée en 2011 dans le but de favoriser le dialogue et de promouvoir des initiatives relatives à l’avancement de l’inclusion, de la diversité, de l’équité et de l’accessibilité dans la profession juridique, la magistrature et au sein de la communauté juridique en général. Dans le cadre de notre mandat, nous surveillons et fournissons des informations sur les développements politiques au sein de la profession et des systèmes juridiques.
Member Organizations - English and French
| English | French |
|---|---|
| Arab Canadian Lawyers' Association (ACLA) | Association des avocats arabo-canadiens |
| Association des juristes d'expression française de l'Ontario (AJEFO) | Association des juristes d'expression française de l'Ontario (AJEFO) |
| Association of Chinese Canadian Lawyers of Ontario (ACCLO) | |
| Black Law Students Association (BLSA) | Association des étudiants noirs en droit du Canada |
| Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) | L’Association des avocats noir du Canada |
| Canadian Afghan Lawyers Association (CALA) | Association des juristes canadien-afghans |
| Canadian Association of Lawyers with Disabilities (CALD) | Association canadienne des juristes en situation de handicap |
| Canadian Association of Somali Lawyers (CASL) | Association canadienne des avocats somaliens |
| Canadian Hispanic Bar Association (CHBA) | L’Association du Barreau hispanique canadien |
| Canadian Italian Advocates Organization (CIAO) | |
| Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association (CMLA) | Association canadienne des advocats musulmans |
| Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL) | Fédération des Juristes Asiatiques-Canadiens |
| Filipino Canadian Lawyers Network (FCLN) | Réseau Des Avocats Philippino-Canadiens (RAPC) |
| Hellenic Canadian Lawyers Association (HCLA) | |
| Indigenous Bar Association (IBA) | Association du Barreau Autochtone |
| Iranian Canadian Legal Professionals (ICLP) | |
| Korean Canadian Lawyers Association (KCLA) | |
| Macedonian Canadian Lawyers Association (MCLA) | Association canadienne des avocats macédoniens et des avocates macédoniennes |
| OBA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law Section (SOGIC) | La Conférence sur l’Orientation et l’Identité Sexuelles (COIS) |
| OBA Equality Committee | OBA Comités d'égalité |
| South Asian Bar Association (SABA Toronto) | Association du barreau sud-asiatique de Toronto |
| Toronto Lawyers Association (TLA) | |
| Women in Canadian Criminal Defence (WiCCD) | |
| Women’s Law Association of Ontario (WLAO) |
Commercial List Users' Committee
The Commercial List is a specialized commercial court within the Ontario Superior Court of Justice established for the hearing of certain matters in the Toronto region involving issues of insolvency, corporate and commercial law. The Commercial List Users' Committee is a commitee comprised of members of the bench who sit on the Commercial List from time to time, members of large and small firms who practice regularly before that Court, representatives of professional organizations, and representatives of the Court Administration.