Our Vision
Meaningful access to justice through a robust legal aid bar.
Our Mission
To improve working conditions for legal aid lawyers so they can (continue to) provide high quality legal aid services to British Columbians.
Who We Are
Legal aid lawyers routinely go above and beyond. Many contribute countless volunteer hours, absorb administrative burdens, and continue working long after public funding has been exhausted, all to ensure their clients receive the representation they deserve.
Unlike most other provinces—where legal aid services are delivered by salaried staff lawyers with benefits, paid leave, and pensions—British Columbia relies on a per‑case compensation model. Legal aid lawyers here often work without the administrative support found in larger firms and may not qualify for essential government programs such as sick leave or maternity/parental leave. Despite these challenges, they remain committed to ensuring that people in crisis have access to justice.
The Association of Legal Aid Lawyers (A.L.L.) represents the dedicated professionals who use their legal training to serve some of the most vulnerable people and children in British Columbia. Our members are often the quiet champions of the justice system—lawyers who step in when individuals face complex, high‑stakes situations and have nowhere else to turn.
A.L.L. represents approximately 600 members of the British Columbia Legal Aid Bar who practice in Criminal, Family, Child Protection, and Immigration law. Their experience spans from newly called lawyers to senior practitioners, and they appear at every level of court, handling matters that range from straightforward to highly complex.
Our Role
A.L.L. advocates for the conditions necessary to sustain a strong, experienced legal aid bar. We work to secure increased funding for Legal Aid BC, negotiate with the provincial government to improve compensation, and collaborate with Legal Aid BC through committees that identify systemic barriers, explore efficiencies, and pilot innovative approaches to service delivery.
We believe that fair and stable funding is essential—not only to attract and retain skilled lawyers, but to ensure that clients facing complex or unsafe circumstances receive the high‑quality representation they need. A strong legal aid system is a cornerstone of meaningful access to justice, and our association is committed to protecting and strengthening that system for the benefit of all British Columbians.
We believe that fair and stable funding is essential—not only to attract and retain skilled lawyers, but to ensure that clients facing complex or unsafe circumstances receive the high‑quality representation they need. A strong legal aid system is a cornerstone of meaningful access to justice, and our association is committed to protecting and strengthening that system for the benefit of all British Columbians.
Our Core Values
We have seven core values, justice, service, integrity, commitment, excellence, collaboration, and mentoring. A.L.L. seeks to ensure justice to access for everyone through its core values.
1. Justice
A commitment to ensuring that every person—regardless of income or circumstance—can meaningfully access their legal rights.
2. service
Putting the needs of vulnerable clients and communities at the forefront of every decision and action.
3. Integrity
Upholding the highest ethical standards in advocacy, representation, and professional conduct.
4. Committment
Demonstrating unwavering dedication to clients, even in the face of limited resources and systemic challenges.
5. excellence
Striving for high‑quality legal representation through continuous learning, skill development, and professional growth.
6. collaboration
Working collectively with partners, institutions, and one another to strengthen the legal aid system.
7. mentoring
Supporting the development of newer lawyers by sharing experience, guidance, and practical insight to ensure the long‑term sustainability of a strong, experienced legal aid bar.