Community Involvement

Commitment to community is a closely held value at BOYNECLARKE.  From lawyers' involvement on Boards and programs offered by the firm to staff-directed fundraising initiatives, everyone at BOYNECLARKE works to better our community:

Summer Student Program

The lawyers at BOYNECLARKE are committed to community.  And, through BOYNECLARKE’s Zenith Gold Award-Winning Summer Student Program, that commitment begins well before they start their legal careers with the Firm.

The Program, which is unique among law firms in the region, offers future Articled Clerks the opportunity to work with a local community-based organization at BOYNECLARKE’s expense.  This allows the law students to develop a strong sense of community and “giving back”, which carries into their legal careers.  In fact, many BOYNECLARKE lawyers remain involved with the organizations they worked with when they were future Articled Clerks in the Summer Student Program.

The BOYNECLARKE Summer Student Program was launched in May 2001 and has proven to be an extraordinary success, garnering exceptional feedback from the participating non-profits.  Erika Beatty, CEO of Symphony Nova Scotia, says:

“I'm really impressed with how tangibly, directly, and intelligently BOYNECLARKE has chosen to give back to the community.  We're very grateful to be a part of the program.”

BOYNECLARKE couldn’t be happier with how the Summer Student Program has benefitted the local community.  Bill Pratt, Executive Director of Shelter Nova Scotia (formerly Saint Leonard’s Society), a non-profit that has participated in the Program, captures the spirit of the Program perfectly noting that,

“Everyone is winning!”

Volunteer Time Program

In 2008 we launched our Volunteer Time program which provides employees time off with pay to perform community service. Employees may be granted paid leave under this policy to provide voluntary "direct" services to their communities as part of an organized community service project sponsored by a service organization, or to perform volunteer work approved by any teacher or school administrator to assist a public or private preschool, elementary, junior or high school.

Dedicated Staff

Our staff — from receptionists to paralegals — share this commitment to community.  The BOYNECLARKE team that enters the Manulife Dragon Boat Festival every year is staff-driven, as is participation in various other fundraising causes including the CIBC Run for the Cure.  At Christmastime, BOYNECLARKE sponsors three or more needy families to ensure that their holiday is bright.

We are very proud of the fundraising efforts put forth by our staff, who were recognized in the March/April 2009 issue of Atlantic Business Magazine.

Casual Days

On casual days, staff raise over $500 per month which is donated to a different charity each month as pre-selected by the staff. The Casual Day charities chosen for 2012 are:

  • SPCA of Nova Scotia
  • Heart & Stroke Foundation
  • Canadian Cancer Society
  • Canadian Diabetes Association
  • Make A Wish Foundation
  • Bide Awhile Animal Shelter
  • FEED Nova Scotia
  • Canadian. Breast Cancer Foundation (Run for the Cure)
  • Prostate Cancer Canada (Movember)
  • Christmas Families
  • Feeding Others of Dartmouth (Margaret’s House)

BOYNECLARKE also sets one month's fundraising aside for unexpected events, such as a natural disaster. Should no unprecedented event occur in a given year, the funds raised during that 'spare' month are donated to the MS Society.

Need Support?

Is your charitable organization interested in BOYNECLARKE's support? We are pleased to review your request for a charitable donation. However, due to the number of requests received annually, we cannot guarantee that every donation request will be met.  Please forward requests to:

Krista Reage, Marketing & Events Coordinator
kreage@boyneclarke.ca