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The Lance S.G. Finch Legacy Fund

Supporting BC's new generation of public interest lawyers and pro bono legal service providers

We established the Lance S.G Finch Legacy Fund in late 2020 to recognize and celebrate Lance’s contributions to the access to justice movement in BC. Lance was a founding trustee of Pro Bono Canada and a devoted APB director from October 2016 until his passing on August 30, 2020.

Lance’s legal career spanned five decades. After practicing law for 20 years, he was appointed to BC's Supreme Court and then Court of Appeal. He was best known for serving as BC's Chief Justice from 2001 to 2013. Upon retiring from the Bench, he returned to private practice and found new passion in his roles as a private mediator and arbitrator. He received numerous awards and acknowledgements over the course of his career, including a Queen’s Counsel designation, the Order of British Columbia, and several honorary university degrees.

Lance was dedicated to increasing access to justice in BC, and he often encouraged new lawyers to engage in pro bono service. He spent countless hours as a mentor to law students and young lawyers through various channels, including our Court of Appeal Program.

Donations to Lance's Legacy Fund will allow us to continue the traditions of mentorship and community service that were so important to him. Access Pro Bono will use the Fund to hire an articling student on a regular basis, and to support articling students enrolled in our Everyone Legal Clinic.