The L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic and Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts will provide expanded services to underrepresented groups requiring access to IP advisory services including small and medium-sized enterprises, women and Indigenous innovators, and artists and creatives seeking to protect their works. Image designed by Freepik.
Empowering Creators, Entrepreneurs and Innovators
The Faculty of Law's L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic receives grant from Innovation, Science and Industry's IP Clinics program
The University of Manitoba Faculty of Law has been named one of three law school recipients of a grant under the the Intellectual Property Clinics Program, which promotes intellectual property education, awareness, and capacity building. The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the 2023–2024 recipients of support on May 1, 2024. The grant will support the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic and Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts and be used to enhance IP training for law students participating in these Clinics at the Faculty of Law.
The Innovation, Science, Economic Development (ISED) Intellectual Property (IP) Clinics Program provides Canadian law schools with funding to open or scale up clinics to enable law students to learn more about IP by increasing university students’ exposure to IP issues. The funding also supports clinics in providing free access to basic IP information and advisory services to clients, helping innovators and small and medium-sized enterprises to develop effective IP strategies and protect their innovations and works. In addition, the funding directly supports underrepresented groups, include female and Indigenous innovators.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry said in the announcement:
“Building IP awareness and providing Canadians with the right resources to protect and grow their own IP is essential to building an innovative Canada. With this funding, we are empowering the next generations of creators, entrepreneurs and innovators, and helping to support new ideas, honour Indigenous traditional knowledge and cultural expressions, and build an IP system that works for everyone.”
These two UM Faculty of Law Clinics actively collaborate with other organizations that support entrepreneurs, and artists in Manitoba, to ensure the Clinics are delivering the IP services that are most relevant and needed by those who cannot access or afford legal assistance.
Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law. Photo by Dr. Amar Khoday.
Dean of Law, Dr. Richard Jochelson, says:
“The Faculty of Law is honoured by the support from ISED, which will significantly enhance our capacities through the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic and the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts. This support will allow us to deliver crucial IP law-related information and advice, while also providing our law students with the opportunity to learn and apply IP knowledge and skills. These improvements will enrich their clinical training experiences and elevate our Clinic services in the IP field. This initiative is essential for the people of Manitoba, including those in rural and remote communities, the North, and for individuals looking to start or grow their businesses. Furthermore, it offers invaluable IP learning experiences for our students.”
Strengthening Entrepreneurs and Creatives in Manitoba
Understanding, safeguarding, and accessing IP rights are vital for businesses and creatives alike, serving as the foundation for ingenuity and the protection of original ideas.
However, navigating legal complexities, including IP law, can be daunting.
The ISED IP Clinics Program funding is enabling the UM Clinics to expand and enhance knowledge and IP services to entrepreneurs and artists. This initiative will fuel innovation and creativity not only in Winnipeg, but throughout the entire province: the Clinics’ services are provided entirely online, ensuring equal access for individuals in rural and remote areas of Manitoba including Northern Manitoba.
Students will apply their growing expertise to meet with clients needing IP information and advice and to create innovative public legal education materials, such as videos, to support those without access to basic IP legal assistance. Equipping Manitobans with knowledge about how to protect and leverage their intellectual assets will lead to more informed and innovative business and creative sectors.
Innovative Legal Clinics: Dedicated to Helping Others Succeed
Operated by the Faculty of Law, the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic and Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts are modern, state-of-the-art Clinics that function like teaching law firms. Under the supervision of experienced lawyers, law students receive essential practical training and clinical experiential learning, providing information and advice to start-ups, entrepreneurs, small businesses, family businesses, artists, creatives, and arts and cultural organizations throughout Manitoba. The students use video conferencing technology to meet with clients from across the province, providing information and advice on a wide range of legal issues affecting businesses and the arts.
The L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic is the only clinic of its kind in Manitoba that provides free legal assistance to start-ups, small businesses, entrepreneurs, non-profits, and charities who do not have a lawyer and cannot afford legal assistance. An increasing number of business law client requests are routinely IP-related.
Building on the proven success of the Business Law Clinic, its leaders, Nick Slonosky [LLB/1979, BComm (Hons)/1976] and Yvan Larocque [BA/2011], established a companion Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts in the Fall of 2024. The Arts Clinic is the first and only clinic in the province providing free legal help tailored entirely to the unique needs of artists and arts organizations. As a companion to the Business Law Clinic, the new Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts relies on the same students and supervisory lawyers, but focuses on serving persons involved in various artistic disciplines, a large percentage of whose income from their creative disciplines falls below the poverty line. The intake of clients since the formal launch of the Arts Clinic has been incredible, which speaks to the need for affordable legal assistance for artists. Significantly, the majority of client matters the Arts Clinic has taken on have involved IP, signalling that legal needs for those in the creative economy are largely IP-related.
Serving underrepresented groups
Of interest, a significant portion of the clients at both the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic and the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts identify as women and/or BIPOC. At the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic, 50% of the client base are women, 37% are BIPOC, and almost 40% are from rural or Northern Manitoban. At the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts, 63% of the client base are women and 16% are Indigenous. The number of clients at both Clinics is also growing, which points to the pressing need to provide affordable legal assistance for artists and entrepreneurs. The Clinics’ goal is to help close this gap to benefit all Manitobans.
Significant law student leadership and involvement
This past academic term, 22 third-year law students and three Research Assistants participated in the Clinics as part of an Externship program at the U of M. This summer, seven law students are employed full-time by the Clinics. The number of Externship and Summer students has been rising, given the increased demand for services and the move to include basic IP services as part of both Clinics’ services to the public.
The 2024-25 academic term will see a new cadre of 20+ third-year law students participating in these Clinics for 12 hours of academic credit during their final year of law school, learning and providing information, advice, and services to clients, as well as public legal education and community outreach in a well curated and intense program of clinical experiential learning, including serving the public on a pro bono basis. These are the largest clinics at the Faculty of Law and of their kind in Canada at this time.
Since 2021, 85 law students have participated in the Business Law Clinic and served over 350 client matters. Furthermore, students have provided almost 9,000 hours of pro bono assistance to startups, entrepreneurs, not-for-profits, charities, and others who would otherwise go without business law assistance in Manitoba. Since the launch of the Arts Clinic in Fall 2024, the Clinic has served nearly 100 additional clients, and students have provided almost 1,500 hours of pro bono assistance to artists and arts and cultural organizations.
Law students learning with world leading practice management system
Logo for the law practice management system Clio.
Students in both Clinics use a sophisticated, industry-leading, world-class, cloud-based practice management software system called Clio Manage and Clio Grow, generously provided on a complimentary basis under an Academic Access Program offered by Clio. This is the same system used by law firms world-wide and by other leading University clinics across North America and Europe.
Power of Collaboration
The Clinics are actively collaborating with other organizations that support entrepreneurs and creatives to ensure that the work done by the law students is relevant and accessible to the people and organizations they serve. These collaborations include the following, amongst others:
Debra Jonasson-Young, Executive Director of the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship at the Asper School of Business.
Debra Jonasson-Young, Executive Director of the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship at the Asper School of Business, is responsible for the strategic direction of the centre in support of furthering entrepreneurial engagement. Says Debra:
“We are proud to be a collaborator with the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic, and also understand firsthand the importance of affordable legal support in fostering entrepreneurs, innovation and protecting intellectual property. This initiative to provide free basic IP services and public legal education through these Clinics is vital, needed by entrepreneurs and creatives, as well as aligns perfectly with our own commitment to educating and supporting entrepreneurs throughout the province of Manitoba.”
On November 6, 2024, the Stu Clark Webinar Series, in partnership with the L Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic, will be presenting: “Start up Law 101 – Protect your New Venture.”
This webinar will be of interest to those who are contemplating starting a business or who have recently launched one.
Visit the Stu Clark Webinar Series website for more information and to register for this or any other webinar.
Joelle Foster, CEO, North Forge Technology Exchange.
North Forge Technology Exchange is an incubator accelerator and leader in the entrepreneur community, fuelling Manitoba’s innovative science-based, technology-enabled, and advanced manufacturing startups. North Forge curates resources to help entrepreneurs solve problems in real time and reduce the cost and risk of innovation. North Forge also has the largest non-profit public fabrication lab in North America, located in downtown Winnipeg. This training-focused facility is where ideas are transformed into something tangible. Access to advanced equipment helps Manitoba entrepreneurs lower the cost of prototyping – and the time it takes to get it done.
On learning about the ISED investment in law student training, Joelle Foster, CEO of North Forge Technology Exchange, said the following:
“As the CEO of North Forge, I have witnessed firsthand the critical need for accessible legal services in intellectual property (IP) for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises, including women entrepreneurs and other underserved innovators in Manitoba. This is not just a need but a pressing issue that requires immediate attention.
Leveraging the latest information that law students gain through clinics and practical experience under lawyer supervision not only enhances their education but also addresses the lack of affordable legal support for IP issues. This ensures that local businesses and innovators get the legal help they need to thrive. To provide access to free legal resources for start-up innovators who cannot afford legal services in Manitoba can make all the difference in their success. This initiative will empower entrepreneurs to protect their intellectual property and drive a culture of innovation across the province.”
In 2023, North Forge was the sole recipient in MB and SK of the Elevate IP program.
Since 2023, North Forge has been the sole recipient in Manitoba and Saskatchewan of the ElevateIP program: “a federally funded, nationwide initiative aimed at equipping Canadian start-ups with the essential resources to understand, develop strategy, and create IP assets.” Running this program, backed by North Forge’s extensive experience in the field, has also led to North Forge’s appointment to managing the IP Assist program in Manitoba. Through North Forge’s leadership and involvement in both programs, the organization has gained experience and built a strong foundation of knowledge, skills and awareness of needs of start-up founders and entrepreneurs across Manitoba and beyond.
Nermin Sa’d, Director of Global Entrepreneurship, the Startup Visa Program, and Elevate IP for North Forge.
Nermin Sa’d, Director of Global Entrepreneurship, the Startup Visa Program, and Elevate IP for North Forge, in addition to being a Mechanical Engineer and Entrepreneur herself, noted that:
“Overseeing the Elevate IP program, I have recognized a significant need for more information about IP. This lack of information is not just a knowledge gap but a barrier to innovation and growth. Empowering initiatives that provide essential IP advisory services is not just crucial but a game-changer in ensuring that startups make informed decisions about their IP needs and invest in available grants wisely.
At North Forge, our Elevate IP program is looking forward to this partnership with the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba to expand our support to businesses in Manitoba.”
Law students at the Business Law Clinic are looking forward to collaborating with Nermin and others at North Forge to develop educational content that will meet the needs of current and future entrepreneurs.
Silvia de Sousa, Partner, Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP.
Silvia de Sousa [LLB/1993, BA/1990], a partner at Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP (TDS), practises in business law with a focus on IP and technology law. She served as the past Chair of the National Intellectual Property Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association and is a former Chair and current member of the Technology and Intellectual Property law Section of the Manitoba Bar Association. In addition to her legal practice, Silvia has taught IP Law and numerous other legal courses at the University of Manitoba and Asper School of Business. With the ISED investment, Silvia sees significant opportunity for students, start-up entrepreneurs, and beyond, and believes that:
“The law clinic plays a pivotal role in Manitoba by enhancing law student training and providing crucial pro bono services that support entrepreneurs and various sectors. Its commitment to legal education not only fosters community growth and development but also provides free legal support to individuals unable to access or afford legal services across Manitoba, including Northern Manitoba. By bridging the access to justice gap and educating future legal professionals, the clinic significantly contributes to the economic and social well-being of our province.”
The Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts is also collaborating with Creative Manitoba. Creative Manitoba strengthens, represents, and connects Manitoba’s arts and creative industries. Its entrepreneurship training and mentorship opportunities teach artists how to sustain themselves creatively and financially. Its arts-specific management training increases productivity and profitability in arts and cultural organizations. Thom Sparling, Executive Director at Creative Manitoba, says:
Thom Sparling, Executive Director at Creative Manitoba.
“I have seen the challenges faced by artists and creatives in protecting their intellectual property due to financial constraints, a shortage of IP lawyers offering affordable legal resources, and artists’ lack of access to knowledge of their IP rights. I believe that ISED investing in enhancing IP training in these Legal Clinics in Manitoba is a decision that will yield long-term benefits for our sector by empowering both established and aspiring artistic entrepreneurs and ensuring equitable access to legal services.
We are very pleased that the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts aims, in addition to other services, to provide free basic IP services, as this will play a pivotal role in bridging this gap by offering essential legal assistance, information and education to those who need it most. Enhancing training of law students to handle basic IP matters improves not only the educational experience of law students, but also contributes to the economic empowerment of artists and strengthens the creative economy and our communities in Manitoba.”
The Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts is also excited to be collaborating with the Manitoba Arts Network, which this year is celebrating 40 Years of Connecting Artists and Community, and will be supporting professional development and training including artists’ better understanding of their IP rights.
The Manitoba Arts Network is dedicated to connecting Manitoba’s communities to the arts. The Network connects, showcases, and promotes visual and performing artists with rural communities across Manitoba.
Law students will present an in-person session in October at the Network’s annual Manitoba Showcase in Brandon.
Law students are looking forward to presenting an in-person session on October 24th, 2024 entitled, “Empowering Artists: Legal Advice on Contracts, Intellectual Property, and Rights”, and to participating in “Ask an Expert” sessions on October 25th and 26th during this year’s Manitoba Showcase, which is the Manitoba Arts Network’s annual premiere four-day Conference being held in Brandon this year.
The Clinics look forward to attending the Northern Association of Community Councils’ Annual General Assembly in August and to learning and collaborating with Northern Manitobans.
The Northern Association of Community Councils (NACC) represents 52 northern and remote community councils under the jurisdiction of Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations (IRNR) under the Northern Affairs Act in Manitoba. NACC is a non-profit organization that promotes and facilitates sustainable community development by:
- Encouraging development of local services on behalf of member communities;
- Ensuring that physical, social, and economic development in our communities remains a priority for government;
- Providing information for the sustainable use of natural resources;
- Coordinating and consulting on community-based projects and promoting self-sufficiency;
- Acting as a channel for effective communication and cooperation between communities, business, and governments; and
- Providing associates with information and opportunities through the annual conference for the resolution of community issues.
Andrea Kwasnicki, Interim Executive Director of the Northern Association of Community Councils.
Andrea Kwasnicki, Interim Executive Director of the NACC, says:
“The Northern Association of Community Councils (NACC) has had the good fortune of utilizing the services of the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic and Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law for a number of years. As a non-for-profit we would never be able to afford or access the quality of services provided by these Clinics. We are especially grateful for this service. There is a critical need in Northern Manitoba for accessible legal services in all areas, including intellectual property (IP), for local businesses, women entrepreneurs, artists, creatives, and arts and cultural organizations, in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, who are traditionally underrepresented in Northern Manitoba.
The commitment of the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic and Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law, to increase access to basic Intellectual Property services province-wide, including to serving persons in Northern Manitoba, is both commendable and critical to innovation, economic development, removal of barriers, enhancing equity, and economic reconciliation, so everyone in all communities, including those in Northern Manitoba, can have equal opportunities to thrive.”
The Manitoba Clinic for the Arts has also been learning about the wealth of creativity, talent, and needs of artists in Northern Manitoba from Crystal Kolt, O.M. [BMus/1984] of Flin Flon – even before the inception of the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts – as well as the importance of the Clinics supporting those in Northern Manitoba.
Crystal Kolt, O.M., Director of Creative and Community Initiatives Directorate of the City of Flin Flon.
Crystal Kolt is the Director of Creative and Community Initiatives Directorate of the City of Flin Flon, and a recognized champion supporting artists in Northern Manitoba for years, including through the imagiNorthern Project.
imagiNorthern is a voice for Manitoba’s northern arts community and represents the convergence of visual artists, makers, photographers, musicians, culinary artists and creatives of all styles who make up the North’s creative canvas, and endeavours to build a thriving, inclusive arts and cultural sector that plays a profound role in a diversified Northern economy.
Crystal Kolt believes:
“The work of these unique Legal Clinics in Manitoba holds great hope in addressing the pressing need for affordable legal services for artists and others needing assistance in dealing with IP issues in Northern Manitoba. Access to free legal information and resources for existing and emerging businesses and artists in Northern Manitoba who cannot access or afford legal services is needed, and a step in the right direction, as it will foster greater equality, help remove disadvantages that currently exist, as well as enhance innovation and entrepreneurial spirit for many in Northern Manitoba.”
The Clinic and its law students look forward to continue learning and collaborating with Crystal and others in Northern Manitoba.
What law students have to say
Serena Bevilacqua, 2L.
Second-year law student Serena Bevilacqua (2L) [BA/2018], who is working full-time for the Clinics this summer, expresses her excitement about the opportunity to learn more about IP and working with clients. “The knowledge and skills that my colleagues and I will learn, and our Clinic’s ability to serve clients with needs for IP information and assistance, will together help build a stronger, more resilient community of Manitoban entrepreneurs and artists which benefits everyone.”
Kassandra Taverner, 3L.
Kassandra Taverner (3L) [BSc/2020], a third-year law student who has been working with the Clinics since 2023, reflects on how the Clinics have fostered her professional growth. “Working for the Clinics has been instrumental in my development as an aspiring lawyer. Through this experience, I have gained invaluable practical legal skills, and I am grateful for the opportunity to use what I have learned in service to the community in meaningful ways. And now I look forward to learning more about IP and putting that knowledge to good work helping others in need of legal services to be able to pursue their business and artistic goals in Manitoba.”
Lisa Haydey, 3L.
Lisa Haydey (3L) [BA (Hons)/2014, MPT/2020], who has also been with the Clinics since 2023, shares her colleagues’ gratitude for the ISED grant. “It’s a gift to be able to immerse ourselves in IP law and expand our knowledge. With the textbooks, precedents, conferences, and other resources we will be able to access with the funding, we can help clients with a wider variety of IP matters to ensure they can protect their intellectual property and leverage it effectively. This grant will help us to transform entrepreneurs’ and artists’ dreams into reality.”
Kaeten Wadwa, 3L.
In addition to providing enhanced client services, students will be translating their learning into educational resources for Manitobans. Kaeten Wadwa(3L) [BA (Adv)/2022] has been heavily involved in content creation for the Clinics. Says Kaeten, “By providing clear, concise, and practical information, we will help to demystify legal concepts and contribute to a more informed and legally conscious community. Through this grant, we are not just learning the law; we are learning how to communicate it and make it accessible, which is a crucial skill for future lawyers.”
Ken Vong, 2L.
Ken Vong (2L) [BComm (Hons)/2022] has been working with Kaeten and Lisa to develop educational resources. As a photographer himself, Ken deeply appreciates the value of IP knowledge in safeguarding and promoting creative work. “Protecting one’s artistic rights is essential not only for personal recognition and financial reward, but also for fostering a culture that values and nurtures creativity. The ISED grant allows us to increase artists’ IP awareness, ensuring they can confidently share their visions with the world, knowing their contributions are legally and ethically upheld.”
Working Together
The University of Manitoba Faculty of Law is located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate, and Denesuline, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. The L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic and Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts are incredibly thankful for the support of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada through the IP Clinics Program Grant. This support enables the clinics to provide education, foster partnerships and collaborations, and improve access to information and intellectual property services for Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities throughout Manitoba, promoting equitable opportunities for all.
The Clinic invites practising lawyers to fill out a Volunteer Intake Form for the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic or a Volunteer Intake Form for the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts, or both.
Small businesses, an entrepreneurs, or an artists in need of free legal information or assistance, are invited to visit the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic’s website or the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Art’s website and fill out an online intake form.