The Calgary Public Library (CPL) holds Law Connect every year in order to provide information to the public regarding the law and legal services – it is a ‘one-stop legal shop’ for access to legal resources and information. Law Connect 2012 was a partnership between CPL and the Pro Bono Law Society, Calgary Legal Guidance, Norton Rose who provided a team of lawyers, and the Canadian Bar Association Alberta Branch. This event includes a Legal Resources Fair where the public can get information from over 25 community legal services organization, Career Conversations where legal professionals provide information about their careers, a Non-governmental Affidavit ID Support Clinic, Educational Films, and a Legal Grounds Advice Clinic with free legal advice given by volunteer lawyers.

Other participants in the Fair were Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre, Alberta Employment Standards, Alberta Family Mediation Society, Alberta Human Rights Commission, Alberta Law Libraries, Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association, Calgary John Howard Society, Calgary Worker’s Resource Centre, Calgary youth Justice Society, Centre for Public Legal Education, Children’s Legal & Educational Resource Centre, City of Calgary Animal and Bylaw Services, Consumer Services (Service Alberta), Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary, Family Justice Services, Law Information Centre, National Pardon centre, Native Counselling Services of Alberta, Office of the Alberta Ombudsman, PovertyTALKS!, and Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service.

ADRIA participated as part of the Legal Resources Fair and our table was staffed by former AAMS President, Tom Smith. We heartily thank Tom for single-handedly representing ADRIA at this event, helping the public learn more about ADR, and helping to  keep our presence in the forefront in Calgary.