Roper Greyell Supports the Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC

February 2023

The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC is committed to giving individuals, groups, and communities support and hope. Their distress services provide support to vulnerable individuals across British Columbia on 24/7 basis. They offer training programs for both youth and adults to increase awareness about suicide, strengthen intervention skills, facilitate growth and recovery after a suicide experience and provide empowering tools for resiliency.

We felt it was appropriate to contribute our 2022 holiday donation to the Crisis Centre following the release of the National Study on the Psychological Health Determinants of Legal Professionals in Canada in October 2022.  This was the first comprehensive National study on wellness in the legal profession which was published by Sherbrooke University in Quebec. The study reported that legal professionals suffer, “significantly high levels of psychological distress, depression, anxiety, burnout and suicidal ideation”.

Alarmingly, 66.8% of the study participants who had had suicidal thoughts since the beginning of their practice did not seek help when they felt the need to do so. The report’s findings confirmed the urgency and importance of supporting a charity that offers vital mental health services to not only our colleagues within in the legal profession but to anyone who is feeling vulnerable and struggling with their mental health.

Roper Greyell COO, Adam Garvin, and Partner and head of the firm’s EDI committee, Sandra Guarascio, recently paid visit to The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC where they met with members of the team in presenting them with their $10,000 holiday donation cheque. Sandra Guarascio reflects on her visit to the centre:

“Visiting the offices of the Crisis Centre was inspiring and we at Roper Greyell are honoured to support the important work of this organization that is fueled by passionate staff and volunteers. Their mission is to provide help and hope to individuals and communities through timely access to barrier free confidential support and education and training programs that destigmatize suicide and mental health concerns and increase awareness and skills for mental health.

While visiting, we walked through the hallway of recognition where volunteers who had generously dedicated thousands of hours of time were honoured. What an incredible difference this organization makes at a time when supports for mental health are increasingly in demand”.

For more information on the Crisis Centre of BC and how you can support their work, visit: https://crisiscentre.bc.ca

Roper Greyell Celebrates the 2023 Lunar New Year

January 2023

January 22nd marks the start of the 2023 Lunar New Year with festivities ending on February 5th.

The RG team joined in celebrating the 2023 Lunar New Year. Through observing this festivity, we have grown to learn more about each region from East and Southeast Asia and the diverse, unique traditions they share as they welcome in the new year.

To our clients, colleagues and friends honouring this celebration, we wish you all a year filled with prosperity and good fortune.

Roper Greyell Donates $10,000 to the Crisis Centre of BC

December 2022

At Roper Greyell, we are committed to having a positive impact in our local community. The year-end holiday season is meant to be a time of joy and celebration, however this can also be a challenging time for many individuals. This December, Roper Greyell is donating $10,000 to the Crisis Centre of BC to support their work in our community. The Crisis Centre of BC has been providing help and support to individuals, organizations and communities since 1969. This donation will help support their critical service offerings:

    1. Education to promote mental wellness
    2. Training programs for schools and organizations assist both youth and adults at risk of suicide
    3. 24/7 crisis lines (phone and online)

For more information on the Crisis Centre of BC and how you can support their work, visit: https://crisiscentre.bc.ca

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30, 2022

September 2022

September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. This day was created as a time for reflection as we honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities and the history of residential schools in Canada and the ongoing impacts.

At RG this past week has been focussed on increasing our shared awareness of the history of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada and what we can do as individuals to work towards reconciliation in our community. To further our education in this area, we have been sharing different Truth and Reconciliation resources each day, and we gathered as a team to attend the webinar Truth & Reconciliation Series: Working Together, hosted by CBABC on Sept 26th.

Roper Greyell will be making a donation to the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society. The Friendship Centre provides programs in health welfare, education, and recreation helping families, youth, adults, elders and children: http://www.vafcs.org/

To learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and other Truth and Reconciliation efforts, please click here.

RG Celebrates the 2022 Vancouver Pride Festival

July 2022

The Vancouver Pride Festival has historically been one of the largest Pride festivals in Canada. It’s an opportunity for members of the LGBTQ2SAI+ community (along with friends, families and allies), to gather and celebrate at events across the city, culminating in the Pride Parade. However, over the past two years, COVID-19 has meant a significant reduction in Vancouver Pride celebrations and the cancellation of the in-person Pride Parade. This year the Vancouver Pride Festival is back with the theme of “Together Again” signifying the return to in-person events (including the Pride Parade, taking place on July 31st).

Community contribution is one of Roper Greyell’s core values, and we are committed to having a positive impact in our local communities. In the spirit of this commitment and to celebrate this year’s Vancouver Pride, Roper Greyell has made a $5,000 donation to QMUNITY.

QMUNITY is a non-profit organization, based in Vancouver, “that works to improve queer, trans, and Two-Spirit lives. (They) provide a safer space for LGBTQ2SAI+ people and their allies to fully self-express while feeling welcome and included.” Our donation will go towards QMUNITY initiatives such as employment support services, counselling and peer support programs for members of the LGBTQ2SAI+ community.

To learn more about the important work of QMUNITY please visit https://www.qmunity.ca/.

Pro Bono Going Public 2021

October 2021

From September 13 to 24th, over 200 lawyers provided free legal advice in British Columbia to raise awareness and funds for BC’s pro bono programs as part of the Pro Bono Going Public 2021 event run by Access Pro Bono. Roper Greyell was proud to be a sponsor for the Trial Court this year.

Roper Greyell’s team participating in this year’s Pro Bono Going Public activities consisted of Gregory J. Heywood, James Kondopulos, Natalie Cuthill, Andrew Peng and Adam James. Together, team Roper Greyell were able to raise over $7,200 for Access Pro Bono’s programs and services. Additionally, Greg came in first place for individual fundraisers, with over $5,700 raised.

As Greg states, “In my view it is inherent in the privilege of being a lawyer, a corresponding obligation to be a helping profession.  I think it is incumbent upon lawyers to assist those who require legal services but cannot afford them.”

For more information on Access Pro Bono Going Public 2021 visit: http://advice-a-thon.ca/ 

About Access Pro Bono

Access Pro Bono is the premiere coordinator for pro bono services in British Columbia. In addition to the Summary Advice Clinic (where several RG lawyers volunteer), they also run the following services:

  • Lawyer Referral Service – linking clients to lawyers with specific expertise
  • Civil Chambers Program – Assisting self-represented non-family chambers applications
  • Roster Program – to service unique cases and non-profit organizations
  • Employment Standards Program – representation before the Branch
  • Mental Health Program – Telephone assistance to people and relatives of people detained under the Mental Health Act
  • Residential Tenancy Program – Assistance to both qualified tenants and landlords
  • Solicitors Program – Focused to provide assistance to charitable and non-profit organizations
  • Wills Clinic – focused on assisting low income seniors and those facing terminal illnesses.
  • Everyone Legal Clinic – incubator project aiming to engage and foster a diverse first group of 25 articling students and 5 new notaries in offering a full range of free and affordable legal services to everyone in BC
  • Virtual Family Mediation Project – a pilot project that offers free online family mediation and advice services to low and modest income families in Victoria, Vancouver and Nanaimo

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Roper Greyell

September 2021

September 30, 2021, marked the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

To mark the day and use this opportunity to further educate ourselves, we were joined by two speakers, Max Dokuchie from the First Nations Health Authority, and Celeste Haldane, from the BC Treaty Commission, who spoke with the firm about the process of truth and reconciliation with First Nations communities. Max and Celeste broadened and deepened our understanding of what truth and reconciliation means for us and for Canada’s First Nations, be it legally, socially, morally, and as citizens of Canada. It was a very interesting and thought-provoking discussion and we thank them for their time.

To learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and other truth and reconciliation efforts, please click here.

Roper Greyell Supports Local Charitable Organizations Through Holiday Giving Program

March 2021

This past holiday season, Roper Greyell proudly partnered with our clients to give back and make a difference in the local community.

Through our holiday giving program, we were able to support charitable organizations including the Moose Hide Foundation, North Shore Community Foundation, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, BC Women’s Health Foundation, North Okanagan Youth & Family Services Society, and Lower Mainland Food Bank.

These charities all provide valuable contributions to our communities and we are proud to support them. For more information on these organizations, click on their name above.

Pro Bono Going Public 2019

August 2019

In September, over 100 lawyers will provide free legal advice in Surrey, Vancouver and Kelowna to raise awareness and funds for BC’s pro bono programs as part of the Pro Bono Going Public 2019 event run by Access Pro Bono.

Roper Greyell partner Gregory J. Heywood and associate Carrie Koperski will be participating in this year’s Pro Bono Going Public activities. On September 6, Carrie will be at Victory Square Park in Vancouver to provide free legal advice to low- and modest-income individuals during the course of the day. Greg will be conducting fundraising efforts to support BC’s pro bono programs.

As Greg states, “In my view it is inherent in the privilege of being a lawyer, a corresponding obligation to be a helping profession.  I think it is incumbent upon lawyers to assist those who require legal services but cannot afford them.”

If you wish to support Pro Bono Going Public, donations can be made via Greg’s fundraising page and Carrie’s fundraising page. For more information on Access Pro Bono Going Public 2019 visit: http://advice-a-thon.ca/ 

About Access Pro Bono

Access Pro Bono is the premiere coordinator for pro bono services in British Columbia. In addition to the Summary Advice Clinic (where several RG lawyers volunteer), they also run the following services:

  • Lawyer Referral Service – linking clients to lawyers with specific expertise
  • Civil Chambers Program – Assisting self-represented non-family chambers applications
  • Roster Program – to service unique cases and non-profit organizations
  • Employment Standards Program – representation before the Branch
  • Mental Health Program – Telephone assistance to people and relatives of people detained under the Mental Health Act
  • Residential Tenancy Program – Assistance to both qualified tenants and landlords
  • Solicitors Program – Focused to provide assistance to charitable and non-profit organizations
  • Paralegal Program – assistance in the preparation of documents for self-represented litigants
  • Wills Clinic – focused on assisting low income seniors and those facing terminal illnesses.

Gregory J. Heywood Wins 2018 Harry Rankin, Q.C. Pro Bono Award

June 2018

On June 23, the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch (CBABC), honoured Gregory J. Heywood with the 2018 Harry Rankin Q.C. Pro Bono Award. This annual award recognizes outstanding contributions by a member in the area of pro bono work.

A champion of pro bono culture, Greg serves as RG’s Pro Bono Chair and has been involved with Access Pro Bono since 2001. Over the past 17 years, Greg has represented a number of low-income individuals with employment issues; often securing significant judgements or settlements for clients who would otherwise have been unaware of their rights due to the fact that they could not afford legal representation. Greg is also a key fundraiser for Access Pro Bono’s annual event, Pro Bono Going Public. Year after year, Greg raises between $8,000 and $10,000, the most funds raised by an individual by significant margin.

In 2010, Greg joined North Shore Search and Rescue, as an advisor to the Board of Directors, and has been NSR’s pro-bono legal counsel since 2012. Over the past six years, Greg has provided leadership and guidance and has been praised by Michael Danks, NSR Team Leader as ‘a valued friend, advisor and mentor who is available 24 hours a day.’

Greg is a tireless advocate for pro bono legal services and continues to mentor and encourage young lawyers to give back to the community. Congratulations, Greg!

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