Tell Us Your Story. What motivated you to start your business? Why are you passionate about what you do?

I went to law school believing that our legal system is the best forum available to address systemic power imbalances and to pursue truth, fairness, justice, and accountability. I was drawn to an orderly process that applies equally. An even playing field. A fair opportunity to be heard. I quickly learned that the legal system is complex and difficult to navigate without training and experience. Using the legal system is not intuitive and most people need professional guidance, even for routine legal issues. Legal fees are expensive and unpredictable, creating an unfair advantage for those who can afford them and a barrier to justice for everyone else. Regrettably, the legal services industry has not done a very good job meeting the growing need for lower-cost legal services. The billable hour and other structural dysfunctions have kept fees high and unpredictable, and services inaccessible to those in small and rural communities. We are living through an access to justice crisis that demands an innovative, market-based solution. In early 2020 we all flocked to online services out of necessity, and on the way, we discovered that some services are more convenient and accessible online than they were in-person. I saw an opportunity to create a new business model that would leverage technology to reduce overhead, lower costs, and make accessing legal advice easier and more affordable than ever before. Butterfly Legal was born.

Describe and demonstrate, including metrics, your community support. How do you support and uplift your community, and how do they show that support in return? Minimum 25 words, maximum 2500 characters.

Butterfly Legal is committed to improving access to justice for everyone, but in particular for marginalized and underserved communities, through affordable, individualized, online legal advice. We have provided countless hours of Pro Bono legal advice as we build our business and learn more about what our clients need. Our Founder, Matt Canzer, is a supervising lawyer with the Everyone Legal Clinic, a public interest law incubator, where he helps articling students with diverse backgrounds establish meaningful careers while serving marginalized and underserved populations. He also represents individuals involuntarily admitted to a mental health facility pursuant to the Mental Health Act before tribunal hearings. Finally, he volunteers as a Director with the Legal Coaches Association, an organizations dedicated to improving access to justice through legal coaching. 'Community support' more than an extra-curricular activity for us; it's why we exist. The Everyone Legal Clinic received a 2023 American Legal Technology award for the Access to Justice category, and Matt was proud to have been a part of that team. However the best support we get from our community is their referrals. As an early-stage start-up with a limited marketing budget, nearly all of our clients have been referrals from past clients or from allied legal services professionals.

Why do you deserve to win the Business Impact award?

As the founder of Butterfly Legal, I believe we deserve to win the Small Business BC Business Impact Award for several compelling reasons. Firstly, at Butterfly Legal, we are dedicated to providing accessible and affordable legal services to small businesses and individuals who are traditionally priced out of the legal services market. Our mission is to empower our clients by offering legal advice and support, ensuring they can navigate the complexities of the legal system with confidence. We have consistently demonstrated our commitment to our community by offering pro bono services and actively leading organizations with a mandate to improve access to justice. Secondly, our innovative approach to legal services sets us apart. We leverage technology to streamline our processes, making legal assistance more efficient and cost-effective. Our user-friendly online platform allows clients to access legal resources, schedule consultations, and receive timely updates on their cases. This commitment to innovation not only enhances our clients’ experience but also contributes to the overall growth and success of our business. Moreover, we prioritize social responsibility and inclusion. We support clients and businesses that are currently underserved by the established legal services industry because of the size of their community, or their ability to pay high legal fees. We believe that access to justice means access to professional support, for everyone. The Small Business BC Business Impact Award recognizes businesses that are truly making a difference by embracing the challenges of entrepreneurship and investing in their communities. At Butterfly Legal, we embody these qualities through our unwavering commitment to our clients, our innovative approach to legal services, and our dedication to improving access to justice for all. Winning this award would not only validate our efforts but also inspire us to continue making a meaningful impact in our community.

Tell Us About Your Culture. How are you creating a sustainable and healthy workplace where everyone feels welcome? Provide examples of leadership you show in interactions with clients, vendors, contractors, staff and others.

Our business model is premised on creating a safe, affordable venue where clients and lawyers can collaborate to solve emotionally-charged legal problems. To that end, we build trauma-informed practices and inclusive language into everything that we do.

Why do you think you should win the Premier’s People’s Choice Award?

The Premier's People's Choice Award recognizes businesses that have gained the support of their communities and have made a significant impact through their dedication and hard work. We have been humbled by the recognition received from clients, allied professionals, and aligned non-profit organizations such as Access Pro Bono and the Legal Coaches Association.