A Red Deer lawyer was honoured Friday at the Alberta Law Conference in Edmonton.
Suzanne Alexander-Smith, an associate with Chapman Riebeek LLP, was presented with a Distinguished Service Award for pro bono legal service. Pro bono refers to legal work that is provided free.
Alexander-Smith helped establish the Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic in 2005. It provides free legal information and advice to people who can’t afford a lawyer and do not qualify for Legal Aid, and has served nearly 2,000 clients since it started.
Alexander-Smith chaired the organization until last year. She remains on its board and continues to volunteer at the clinic.
She’s also a board member of Pro Bono Law Alberta, a charitable organization that promotes opportunities for lawyers to provide pro bono legal services to people with limited financial means.
The Distinguished Service Award for pro bono legal service is one of four Distinguished Service Awards presented annually by the Law Society of Alberta and the Canadian Bar Association. The others recognize service to the community, service to the profession and legal scholarship.
Alexander-Smith, who has been with Chapman Riebeek since 1999, practises commercial and family litigation law.