A local lawyer who dedicates time each week to help the most disenfranchised residents for free was honoured with an award for his humanitarian efforts last month.
On March 26, the Western Canada Society to Access Justice awarded the Dugald Christie Award to Tom Braidwood.
"We believe your extensive time commitment to the clinic at the Howe Sound Women's Centre over the years demonstrates a quite, but most important ongoing pro-bono service to the public, which is well worthy of recognition," Alan A. Parker, executive director for Access Justice, told Braidwood.
Braidwood said he was surprised and honoured to be chosen. The award was especially meaningful, he said, since it was Christie himself who recruited the local lawyer into doing pro bono work for those who needed it most.
Christie was a pioneer in the area of providing and promoting free legal aid and recruited Braidwood in 2007 to run the Access Justice clinic at the Howe Sound Women's Centre.
Braidwood said over the years, he's been proud to be able to assist people through the most troubling and difficult times in their lives.
The clinic is every Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. Bookings are made by calling the Women's Centre.
Shortly after signing Braidwood on, Christie was killed by a car while riding his bike across Canada to raise funds and promote public awareness of the need for free access to justice.
When he first opened his law practice in Squamish he looked for opportunities to contribute to the community.
He became a member of the board of directors for Squamish Savings in 2006. One of the board objectives is to improve the local community, and Braidwood said he's honoured to be a part of the company.
Access Justice is a society with a mission to provide first-class free legal assistance to anyone who can't obtain legal aid or afford a lawyer.
"Thomas is one of our most active pro bono lawyers and had volunteered with Access Justice at various agencies for over 100 clinics from 2007 to 2009," states a society news release.
The Access Justice Dugald Christie Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have made an outstanding contribution to the provision of free legal services.
"Nominees' are evaluated on their demonstrated leadership and activities improving access to justice in their community," states the society website.
For more information on the Access Justice Society, go to www.accessjustice.ca.
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