Norton Rose Fulbright LLP and CIBC collaborate to deliver pro bono legal support through Pro Bono Ontario’s Free Legal Advice Hotline

Norton Rose Fulbright LLP and CIBC are pleased to announce their recent collaboration to support access to justice through a joint staffing of the Pro Bono Ontario’s Free Legal Advice Hotline. This initiative took place on April 8 and 9, 2025 and marked the firm’s and CIBC’s inaugural participation in Financial Institutions Pro Bono Day (FIPBD)—a global event of the Pro Bono Institute designed to foster in-house and law firm collaboration in the delivery of pro bono legal services.

Over the course of two days, 36 lawyers from Norton Rose Fulbright and CIBC volunteered their time to provide legal counsel to 197 individuals and organizations, including low-income Ontarians, local small businesses, non-profits, and charities facing legal challenges in areas such as housing, employment, debt, and corporate governance.

“We are proud to work alongside CIBC in a shared commitment to advancing access to legal services for Canadians,” said Grace Pastine, Pro Bono Counsel at Norton Rose Fulbright. “Collaborations of this nature allow us to extend meaningful support to communities that often face significant barriers to justice, while strengthening the values that define our profession.”

Pro Bono Ontario’s Free Legal Advice Hotline enables callers to receive up to 30 minutes of legal advice on a wide range of civil legal issues. Volunteers from the firm and CIBC provided assistance both virtually and in-person, supported by staff from PBO.

“We’re proud to have Norton Rose Fulbright join us on this initiative, which aligns with our purpose of helping our clients and communities achieve their ambitions,” said Frank Vivacqua, VP and Deputy General Counsel (Canada) at CIBC. “Pro bono partnerships like this demonstrate the impact we can have when we combine our expertise to serve individuals and communities who need it most.”

“The need for free legal advice continues to grow across Ontario, particularly for individuals and small organizations navigating civil legal issues without representation,” said Kirsti McHenry, Executive Director of Pro Bono Ontario. “Collaborations like this, with law firms and their clients working side by side, are essential to the sustainability and reach of the hotline. We are grateful for the leadership and support shown by NRF and CIBC.”

This initiative reflects Norton Rose Fulbright's ongoing commitment to corporate citizenship, client service, and legal excellence. The firm’s national pro bono practice is led by Grace Pastine, whose role is among the first of its kind in Canada. Under her leadership, the firm has deepened its engagement with community-based legal services and created new pathways for lawyers to meaningfully contribute to the public good.

“We view pro bono work as a professional responsibility and value the opportunity to collaborate with CIBC on initiatives that strengthen access to justice and uphold the values at the heart of the legal profession,” said Matthew Lippa, Partner. 

In today’s dynamic environment, marked by heightened legal complexity for individuals and organizations alike, initiatives like this offer vital support to those who may otherwise be left without recourse.

To learn more about Pro Bono Ontario’s Free Legal Advice Hotline, visit: https://www.probonoontario.org/hotline/ 

To learn more about Norton Rose Fulbright’s pro bono program, visit: https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en-ca/services/a5b55975/pro-bono