Law Society of Saskatchewan
Find Legal AssistanceMember ProfileMember ResourcesContact
  • 0
    Cart
  • My Account
  • About Us
      • News
        • Legal News (Legal Sourcery)
        • Podcast
        • ReSource
        • Videos
        • Benchers’ Digest
        • Case Mail
      • Mission and Values
      • Committees
      • Convocation
      • Benchers
      • Annual and Financial Reports
      • Contact Us
  • Initiatives
      • Access to Justice
        • Future of Legal Services Initiative
          • The Limited Licensing Pilot
        • Limited Scope Legal Services – Information for the Public
        • Limited Scope Legal Services – Information for Lawyers
        • Saskatchewan Access to Justice Week
      • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
        • Demographic Data Collection FAQ
        • Equity Office
      • Legal Information
        • Legal Information Guidelines
        • Saskatchewan Access to Legal Information
      • Truth and Reconciliation
        • Additional Resources
        • Information on Indigenous Class Action Settlements
      • Saskatchewan Justicia Project
  • Regulation
      • Definition of the Practice of Law and Unauthorized Practice of Law
      • Firm Regulation
        • Designated Representative (DR) Hub
      • New Sole Practitioner/Small Firm Practice Program
      • Act, Code and Rules
        • The Legal Profession Act, 1990
        • Code of Professional Conduct and Amendments
        • Law Society Rules, Amendments and Practice Directives
        • Rules Concordance – Read More
      • Hearings, Decisions and Rulings
        • Hearing Committee Adjudicator Roster
        • Pending Discipline Matters
        • Discipline Decisions
        • Conduct Review Database
        • Ethics Rulings Database
        • Pending Admissions and Education Matters
        • Admissions and Education Decisions
        • Disqualification and Reinstatement
      • Lawyers with Practice Conditions/Restrictions
      • Lawyer Trusteeships and Successors
      • Potential Complaint Outcomes
        • Ethics Committee
        • Competency Committee
        • Conduct Investigation Committee
  • Public
      • Finding Legal Assistance
      • Find Legal Assistance Search Guidance
      • Get Legal Information, Resources, and Options for Assistance
      • What to Expect From Your Lawyer
      • Looking For Lost Wills
      • Making a Complaint
        • Complaints Process
      • Common Client Concerns
        • Understanding Lawyers’ Fees
        • Quality of Service
        • Conflict of Interest
        • Confidentiality
        • Withdrawal
        • File Transfers
      • Common Client Concerns
        • Role of an Estate’s Lawyer
        • Role of Opposing Lawyer
        • Breach of Trust Conditions/Undertakings
        • Lawyer’s Conduct in Court
        • Lawyer’s Outside Interests
  • Lawyers and Students
      • Becoming a Lawyer in Saskatchewan
        • Students-at-law
        • Transfer Lawyers
        • International Applicants
        • Western Canada Competency Profile
      • Becoming a Principal
      • Career And Volunteer Opportunities
        • Students Seeking Articles
      • Membership Services
      • Mentorship Program
      • Awards, Bursaries, Scholarships
      • Locum Registry
      • Expanded Practice Advisor Program
      • Forms and Fees
        • Law Society Forms
        • Trust Account Forms
      • Western Conveyancing Protocol
        • Protocol for Saskatchewan
      • Practice Resources
        • General Resources
        • Successor Listing
        • King’s Bench Rules
      • Health and Wellness
      • Pro Bono Legal Services
  • Legal Resources
  • CPD
      • CPD Activities
        • CPD Calendar of Activities
        • CPD On Demand (Subscription)
        • Recorded Versions Shop
        • Study Group Resources
      • CPD Policy
        • Reporting CPD Hours
        • Eligible CPD Activities
        • Remedial CPD Plan Information
        • FAQs for Members
        • FAQs for CPD Providers
      • Contact Us
      • Volunteers
      • Presenter Section
  • Shop
Law Society of Saskatchewan Access to Justice Pro Bono Stories – Part 5

The information provided on this blog is to, the best of our knowledge, accurate and up-to-date as of the date of posting. However, please be aware that information can change rapidly and without notice. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information presented after the posting date. It is advised that readers exercise due diligence and independently verify the accuracy of information they find on this blog news feed. Here are links to the most current information available in relation to our Membership, Saskatchewan Case Law, and Saskatchewan Legislation.

Pro Bono Stories – Part 5

October 28, 2022

Pro Bono Stories

To celebrate Access to Justice Week, each day of the week Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan (PBLS) is sharing stories from our volunteers. All the volunteers featured this week are in-house counsel or work for the government. PBLS volunteers directly support low-income people in Saskatchewan who would otherwise not be able to access a lawyer.

Nicole Hamm
Legal Counsel, Information Services Corporation
As in-house counsel, family law files no longer cross my desk, and in my last few years in private practice, I only handled a handful of family law files. As a volunteer lawyer with PBLS, family law is the sole focus of nearly every client appointment.

I began volunteering at the Regina Free Legal Clinic shortly after I was called to the bar in 2014. I also volunteer at the Regina Family Law Free Clinic since it was first established. Why? The demand for family law advice is high – and growing – and I have the knowledge that many PBLS clients need.

Most of the family law clients I see need initial, basic advice: they want to understand their rights and how courts can assist. During appointments, I spend most of my time explaining general family law principles and how to commence a family law proceeding. With that said, some clients already have a matter before the courts and need assistance with next steps.

Some of the most difficult conversations I’ve had with clients occurred during the first few months of the pandemic. I advised several single parents who saw support payments diminish or stop altogether as the economic repercussions of the pandemic took effect. These parents often had concerns about their own jobs, which compounded their fears. But for every tough appointment, I can think of at least two or three where clients expressed how grateful and relieved they were to have answers to their basic questions.

The most rewarding pro bono file I’ve had so far involved a woman who needed a separation agreement drawn up. The terms had been largely negotiated, but as her spouse had retained his own lawyer, she wanted to ensure that what was being offered to her was fair and reasonable. As I thought the offer could be better for a number of reasons, I agreed to represent the client beyond her initial appointment and helped negotiate a fairer settlement. I went on to assist the client through the drafting and execution of the separation agreement as well as the divorce process. The amount of confidence the client gained between our initial meeting and the last where I provided her with the divorce certificate was staggering. To witness that transformation was worth every minute of my time.

The opinions and content contained in this article represent my own, and do not represent and are not affiliated with any organization.

Nicole Hamm volunteers at the Regina Free Legal Clinic and the Regina Family Law Free Legal Clinic.

Interested in volunteering? The Saskatchewan Lawyers’ Insurance Association (SLIA) provides coverage for volunteering with PBLS, even if you are exempt from paying. Learn more about pro bono and insurance coverage here.  Learn more about PBLS by visiting pblsask.ca, email [email protected] or follow us here.

Share this:
    

Archives

Categories

SUBSCRIBE

Subscribe for the latest news from our blog "Legal Sourcery".


Submit News Post

Submission Guidelines

Online Tools

  • Search
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use

Quick Links

  • About Us
  • LSS Initiatives
  • For Lawyers & Students
  • For the Public
  • Regulation
  • CPD

Subscribe Now

Subscribe for the latest news from our blog "Legal Sourcery".

Stay Connected

Twitter
Facebook
Linkedin

© 2025 Law Society of Saskatchewan. Website & Hosting by OmniOnline