• You must be a lawyer or student-at-law registered with the Law Society of Alberta. 

• If you live in another province, you may be permitted to join the LAA roster. 

• You must be on the Legal Aid Alberta roster to accept or perform work on an LAA certificate. 
   

Students: You are only allowed to apply for certificates in one area of law: criminal, family or immigration. Once you are admitted to the Bar, you must re-apply to join the roster as a practicing lawyer. At that time, you may apply under more than one area of law. 

Have an up-to-date resume and the names and contact information of two professional references on hand. 

If you’re applying for an area of law that is new to you, you will be required to explain how you’ll meet Legal Aid Alberta’s standards. You will also need to include: 

• Your relevant knowledge, training, and experience 

• Steps you’ve taken to build competence 

• A mentorship plan, including efforts to secure a mentor who can: 
  • Answer your questions 
  • Provide strategic advice 
  • Offer shadowing opportunities 

Please consider these elements carefully before completing your application. 

Be prepared to outline any legal training, seminars, or professional experience that demonstrates your ability to support clients from diverse or underserved backgrounds. This includes:

• Work with Indigenous clients or advancing Indigenous interests in court 

• Assisting newcomers to Canada or individuals from  marginalized communities 

• Support for clients affected by family violence, poverty, or addiction 

Providing these details help us evaluate your readiness to serve disadvantaged clients with sensitivity and effectiveness. 

Before submitting your application, take time to read the LAA Roster Handbook and the LAA Tariff. These documents will help you: 

• Understand Legal Aid Alberta’s operations 

• Learn how roster lawyers collaborate with LAA 

• Develop a clear understanding of billing procedures, expectations and service standards 

Familiarity with these materials is essential for submitting a well-prepared and informed application.