Pro Bono Students Canada: Windsor Chapter
law students serving the public good
Interested in becoming a PBSC volunteer? Check out our exciting range of 2024-2025 projects!
Applications for 2024-2025 will open on September 16th and close on September 20th at 12 pm. Don't miss out on this opportunity to help increase access to justice!
Welcome to
PBSC Windsor!
"One of the most visionary undertakings I have seen in my 40 years at the bar"
Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Abella
Stay up to date!
Get in touch!
pbsc@uwindsor.ca
519-253-3000 ext. 3966
ABOUT PBSC
Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) is a national, multiple-award-winning organization with chapters in 22 of Canada’s 23 law schools. The first pro bono organization in the country, PBSC has been working with law schools and the bar to deliver high-quality legal services for 20 years. We have extensive program expertise and experience designing award-winning access to justice placements that are recognized as having a significant impact on access to justice.
WINDSOR LAW
CHAPTER
Every September, Windsor Law students are invited to apply to volunteer on a PBSC project. In previous years, we have had over 118 students participating in our chapter and we have partnered with 21+ local community organizations and have run 40+ community projects (with anywhere from 1-20 student(s) working on one project).
OUR VALUES
DIGNITY
We believe that every person is entitled to respect, to have their voice heard, and to fully enjoy their rights.
EQUITY
We stand for substantive equality, inclusion, and diversity in all its forms. We focus on impact (not just good intentions).
HUMILITY
We prioritize listening, learning, and self-reflection. We value the wisdom of the communities we serve, and their lived experiences inform our work.
OUR APPROACH
Collaborative
Visionary
Responsive
We engage approximately 1,500 law students annually to provide free legal information and services in
partnership with nearly 400 community organizations and nearly 550 supervising lawyers and, in Quebec, notaries.
We cultivate future leaders and advocates through training and experiential learning opportunities.
Our student-led Chapters at 22 law schools across Canada support local communities facing barriers to
justice across all areas of law.
PBSC National addresses complex and systemic inequities through projects that support families in crisis or transition, Indigenous peoples, racialized groups, LGBTQ2S+ communities, and newcomers to Canada.
OUR VISION
We envision a society with accessible legal systems, where the dignity and rights of every person are upheld.
OUR MISSION
We provide free legal support to people and communities facing barriers to justice.
OUR PROJECTS
LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING
PUBLIC LEGAL EDUCATION
CLIENT INTAKE AND DOCUMENT ASSISTANCE
PROVIDE LEGAL INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS
PBSC BY THE NUMBERS
1500
12,000+
student volunteers
low-income Canadians served
120,000
pro bono hours contributed
89%
of our students report that they plan on offering pro bono upon graduation
500+
projects nationally
MEET OUR TEAM
Natalie Cusinato,
Program Coordinator
Natalie is a second-year student in the single JD program at the University of Windsor. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Windsor in English Language and Literature. Prior to becoming involved in PBSC, Natalie progressed to the semi-finals in the Transnational Law Moot and participated in Windsor Law’s Mental Health and Wellness Initiative. Born and raised in Windsor, Natalie’s passion for increasing access to justice started with her volunteer positions at HerCampus Magazine and the Women’s Justice and Empowerment Association. Natalie is excited to further PBSC’s mission and expand her local connections with the law community.
Matthew MacDowell,
Program Coordinator
Matt is an incoming 3L student at Windsor Law. He is super active in the Windsor Law School Community. Outside of school Matt is a big sports fan. He enjoys watching his favourite premier league team (Fulham FC) play on weekend mornings during the season.
Anna Maria Decia-Gualtieri, On-Site Supervisor
The Windsor Law PBSC Faculty Supervisor is Anna DeCia-Gualtieri, who is also the Career Services Coordinator. Anna is an alumna of Windsor Law, Class of 2001 and also earned her Honours Bachelor of Arts (French Language & Literature) from the University of Windsor. Anna was called to the Ontario Bar in 2002 and practiced commercial and estate litigation at McTague Law Firm LLP until 2008, when she joined Career Services. Over the past 13 years, Anna has built many relationships with alumni and employers to better serve students. In her role as co-chair and a contributing member of the NALP - Canadian Section Diversity Working Group over the last nine years, Anna has grown to better understand and appreciate diversity and inclusion. For the past four years, Anna has chaired and co-chaired the NALP - Canadian OCI Schedule Working Group, whereby school and employer representatives work as a team to ensure that all vested interests are accounted for from coast to coast. In addition, Anna has proudly served as the only Canadian member of the NALP “Emerging Employer Engagement” Task Force and has recently been elected as a member of the “Conference Planning Team”. As a long-standing member of the Windsor Essex community, Anna is Vice President of the Board of Directors of Harmony in Action and an active member of the Notre Dame Catholic School Advisory Council.
EVENT UPDATES
UPCOMING EVENTS
Launch Event
12:00 to 1:30 pm on September 16th
Moot Court, University of Windsor, Faculty of Law
Please join us at our Launch Event to learn about PBSC Windsor's exciting volunteer projects, diverse range of projects, and how we are increasing access to justice. Hear from an inspiring keynote speaker about the value of pro bono work and network with other law students, faculty, and lawyers. Lunch served.
Please register on Symplicity. We look forward to seeing you there!
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The University of Windsor sits on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, which includes the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomie. We respect the longstanding relationships with First Nations people in this place in the 100-mile Windsor-Essex peninsula and the straits – les détroits – of Detroit.