UNB Law and 203 Centre Help Transgender Clients via Virtual ID Clinic

Cover Photo Credit: Candace Perry

On November 21, 2025, the 203 Centre hosted the first of two Imprint Trans ID Clinics in partnership with the UNB Faculty of Law, McInnes Cooper law firm, and the Imprint Youth Association. The legal clinic is virtual and pro-bono, making the process of correcting legal documents more accessible for clients in need. 

Candace Perry, the project’s student lead from UNB law, described how the clinic’s legal counselling appointments work: 

“Each appointment is 15 minutes long … [Clients can] meet with a law student volunteer to ask any question they may have about filling out the name change and/or sex designation form.”

According to the 203 Centre’s Instagram, the clinic ensures that a lawyer from McInnes Cooper oversees each volunteer to deliver quality services. 

Perry explained the nature of each appointment varies based on client needs: 

“Sometimes student volunteers walk through the entire form with the client, answer specific questions about the form … [answer] other questions the client may have about the process, or simply connect the client with a lawyer … [to have] documents notarized at no extra cost.” 

Perry also shared that the amount of people the clinic services also varies per semester based on demand: 

“Currently, we have 12 of our 24 slots filled for the semester, but last semester, all 24 spots were filled … It really depends on the availability of clients and volunteers, and who needs our services at a given time.” 

Perry reflected on their own experience as a student volunteer, providing insight into the rewards of working in the clinic: 

“Being able to help someone better align with who they are as a person leaves everyone feeling happy … and despite being so busy … preparing for exams and end-of-term projects, I still find the work I do to be tremendously fulfilling.” 

Perry conveyed how the experience is also helpful from a career standpoint: 

“In law school, you don’t get to interact with clients unless you are doing some form of experiential learning … It’s all very theoretical … The Trans ID Clinic lets me interact with real people who have real issues.” 

Another UNB law volunteer, Ceiliah Nora Rodriguez, seconded Perry’s comments about the challenges of working in the clinic as a law student:

“I wasn’t sure I would take on another [project] this year … [pro bono] can be challenging to balance alongside academic and extracurricular commitments.”

That said, she suggested the emotional upsides of offering pro bono services make the hard work worthwhile: 

“I have learned how to provide clients with legal information using inclusive and accessible language … [and] connect with community members in a genuinely meaningful way … I am deeply honoured to have been invited to learn and volunteer in this space.” 

Rodriguez also highlighted the timely nature of the project, given current political policies: 

“The recent discourse and policy shifts in Canada … surrounding transgender identity services have left me increasingly concerned about the safety and security of transgender members of our community … I’ve felt a strong urgency to contribute to meaningful solutions and protective support.” 

Perry notes clients tend to have positive experiences in the open environment of the clinic: 

“Clients are generally very grateful for having had the opportunity to be taken seriously and to have their questions answered … no matter how big or small.” 

Perry concluded by sharing that appointments through the Trans ID Clinic help clients establish invaluable connections for the future: 

“Clients seem to be grateful for the connections they make with the McInnes Cooper lawyers, [where they can] find someone to notarize their documents for a price they can afford!”

The 203 Centre is offering a second Transgender ID Clinic from 1–4 p.m. on November 28th. To learn more about the clinic’s mission, their team, and how you can register for a virtual appointment, visit: imprinttransidclinic.wixsite.com/home.