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While the formal expression of LAWPRO’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitments is relatively new, many of the activities in which staff participate under the program have been part of LAWPRO working life for many years. Below are a few highlights from 2013.

Fostering the legal community and access to justice

  • Celebrated the awarding of the Caron Wishart Memorial Scholarship to University of Toronto Faculty of Law student, Alison Mintoff
  • The future of law article in the August issue of LAWPRO Magazine provided readers with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities arising from our rapidly changing legal service environment
  • Our consumer survey measuring Canadians’ understanding of the impact of debt on estate planning highlighted the valuable role of lawyers to the public
  • Employee participation in professional associations and groups led to learning and sharing of knowledge and skills in diverse segments of the legal profession
  • Presentations at law schools, a Student Edition of LAWPRO Magazine, and the New Lawyer Resources page on practicePRO.ca helped to nurture the skills of future lawyers
  • Wellness services for our insureds was encouraged through funding to and promotion of the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Member Assistance Program for lawyers, law students, licensed paralegals, judges and their families

Providing a healthy and rewarding workplace

  • Long term staff members, LAWPRO employee committee members and those who exemplified exceptional effort, initiative, or leadership were recognized at events throughout the year
  • LAWPRO presented in-house CPD events and facilitated access to presentations sponsored by the TitlePLUS program – a cost-effective way for LAWPRO employee lawyers to fulfill their CPD requirements
  • An on-site flu shot clinic for employees, and via the employee-led Wellness committee, community walks, skating outings, and a presentation about effective communication at work helped keep employees healthy and active

Respecting the environment

  • LAWPRO began distributing its board materials in electronic form, a move that has saved both paper and transportation resources
  • The LAWPRO green committee held transit raffles to encourage employees to use public transit and hosted a vegetarian potluck lunch and a bake sale to celebrate Earth Day

Supporting the broader Canadian community

  • LAWPRO employee-led events and Denim Friday contributions resulted in a total of $24,250 being donated to five charities chosen by employees. The charities benefiting from the program in 2013 were: Alzheimer Society of Canada, Anaphylaxis Canada, Fanconi Canada, Good Shepherd Ministries, and Toronto Humane Society
  • LAWPRO employees engage in many staff-led charitable initiatives in addition to the official charitable giving program. In 2013, these included: donation of 283 dishes to the Good Shepherd Homeless Centre; collection of canned goods for the Daily Bread Food Bank; sale of daffodil pins in support of cancer research; and employee support of the International Justice Mission’s NourishHope event