Open to 1Ls in 2023-2024

Open to: 1L, 2L

Project Summary

Component 1: Tenant Rights Research

Students will develop public legal education (PLE) materials on tenancy rights based on legislation, case law and more. The ultimate purpose of this is to provide plain language resources to tenants in Ontario so they are educated on their rights with respect to housing. 

Note: Optional opportunity to translate documents depending on the second language capabilities of the students.

Component 2: PLE Resource Drafting 

​Based on the research in Component 1, students will create PLE resources in formats such as: 

• Tip sheets

• Step-by-step checklists 

• Infographics on Tenancy rights / dispute processes 

Note: ​There may be opportunities for more creative ventures such as script writing and video building, but this is not a requirement of the role.​ 

Type: Research & Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Housing & Poverty Law 

Community served: Precariously employed individuals, Seniors, People living with disabilities & chronic illnesses, Newcomers 

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 3

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: None.

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

Component 1: Research and Resource Building 

Students will be researching questions related to family, criminal, child protection and immigration law relevant to survivors of gender-based violence. This will support WomenatthecentrE's efforts to create and maintain PLE resources for survivors of gender-based violence on the legal processes that may affect them or their families. 

Component 2: Facilitating Trainings 

Students will develop and facilitate legal training workshops to WomenatthecentrE staff, students, and volunteers. The content of the training will be drawn from the students’ research in Component 1. 

Type: Public Legal Education, Research

Area(s) of Law: Family, Children and Youth, Child Protection

Community served: Women, Domestic violence survivors, self-represented litigants 

# of Student Volunteer Positions: 3

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: Preference will be given to female-identifying candidates; Knowledge and understanding of gender-based violence is required. Any social work experience, gender studies, and/or experience working within an anti-oppression framework would be an asset; Strong teamwork and collaboration skills; Experience developing educational materials/instructional guides or courses.

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

The aim of this project is to develop a Legal Information Guide specific to the legal challenges multicultural women, and those who have experienced (or continue to experience) gender-based violence, face. Students should focus on how the legal system can be better informed by an anti-oppressive and anti-Black racism framework.  

​Students will conduct research and develop a plain language Legal Information Guide that gives general legal information on a collection of issues the women who come to WMRCC for support commonly face. ​Students will choose a focus area under the consultation of the lawyer supervisor and organization.  

Type: Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Human Rights, Criminal Law, Housing, Family Law

Community served: Women, Racialized communities, People living with mental health challenges

# of Student Volunteer Positions: 2 

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements for Student Volunteers: Preference will be given to female-identifying students. Experience working with feminist and/or intersectional-feminist legal theory would be an asset. 

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L, NEW PROJECT

Project Summary

OKT is working with public interest groups across Canada to explore solutions to the Indigenous mass incarceration crisis. Across Canada, Indigenous people are put and kept in prisons and jails at rates which are vastly disproportionate to their population. Despite courts at every level acknowledging this crisis, little has been done to address it. OKT, along with its community partners, are exploring ways to force solutions to this problem. ​​Student volunteers will work alongside OKT lawyers to do legal research related to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, policies of Correctional Services Canada, UNDRIP, and civil procedure to help develop a ‘theory of case’ for tackling the mass incarceration crisis.

Type: Research

Area(s) of Law: Human Rights Law, Criminal Law, Aboriginal Law

Community served: Indigenous peoples, Criminalized populations

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 2

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: ​​Interest and knowledge in human rights law would be an asset​

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L, NEW PROJECT

Project Summary

Component 1: Legal Clinic Assistance

Volunteers will actively participate in legal clinics organized by the MLSC. They will support the smooth functioning of the clinics by helping with administrative tasks, ensuring proper documentation, and providing general assistance to clients and lawyers.

​​Component 2: Client Support

Volunteers will engage with potential clients who approach the MLSC seeking legal help. They will listen to their concerns, gather relevant information, and assess the nature of their legal needs. Based on this information, volunteers will connect clients with appropriate lawyers from the MLSC's network and be in charge of scheduling appointments

Component 3: Updating Client Files and Data

Volunteers will maintain accurate and up-to-date records of client cases. They will track the progress of each case, record any changes or developments, and ensure that client information remains confidential and secure.

Type: Client Services

Area(s) of Law: Human Rights, Criminal Law, Housing, Family Law

Community served: Religious minority, Racialized communities, Immigrants, refugees & newcomers

# of Student Volunteer Positions: 2 

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements for Student Volunteers: This is a remote project, shift work preferred so you can be scheduled during the Clinic’s hours; Preference for Muslim students or those with lived experience of race-based discrimination that can appreciate the unique issues Muslim clients at the MLSC face.​ 

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L, NEW PROJECT

Project Summary

Students will monitor, research, and write about bills as they proceed through Parliament to identify proposed legislation relevant to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and flag potential substantive equality issues for Indigenous women and Gender-Diverse People. Students will research Indigenous legal orders, procedures, and healing in the context of the relevant proposed legislative changes.

Students will become deeply familiar with legislative processes and some priority legislative frameworks, such as criminal law, corrections, child and family services, environment and impact assessment, and intellectual property. 

Students will prepare legal memos for NWAC’s in-house counsel, Parliamentary Committee Briefs, and communications collaterals, such as articles, blogs, social media posts and public legal education resources to be published on the NWAC website.

Type: Research

Area(s) of Law: Criminal law, Corrections, Child and Family Services, Environment and impact assessment, and Intellectual property.

Community served: Indigenous peoples, Criminalized populations

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 2

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: ​​This is a virtual project

• Preference will be given to Indigenous women-identifying, gender-diverse, Two Spirit and trans applicants 

• All students with interest and lived experience in the area are encouraged to apply.

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

Students will assist with legal research around immigration laws in countries where our clients reside with a focus on the Emergency Travel Support (ETS) and complementary pathways. Students will support in gathering evidence to build cases, and may work with clients to fill out forms and applications. Second language proficiency in Arabic, Turkish or Russian are strongly preferred to provide informal translations of documents as well as translate client calls. Students may also assist lawyers and caseworkers in drafting cover letters and immigration claim summaries. All legal research and draft cover letters will be reviewed and approved by the supervising lawyer prior to use by the partner organization. 

Type: Research

Area(s) of Law: Immigration and Refugee, Human Rights

Community served: LGBTQ+, Immigrants, refugees & newcomers, Trans and gender diverse individuals 

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 1

Commitment: 5 hours/week

Special Requirements: This is an in person project with shifts on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays. Preference will be given to students with second language fluency in: Arabic, Farsi, Russian, Turkish, Spanish. Those with personal lived experience that relates to our clients are encouraged to apply – i.e. those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions and/or those from regions where we work internationally (Caribbean, Africa, South-Central Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East). 

Open to: 1L, 2L, Joint Project with UofT and Osgoode.

Project Summary

Component 1: Note Taking

Students will sit-in on summary legal advice appointments between women and a volunteer or staff lawyer and take detailed notes, which will then be provided to women following the appointment.  

Component 2: Legal Research and Resource Creation

Students will assist in preparing case law summaries and/or brief legal informational handouts for family court support workers across Ontario to help them better understand a particular family law matter. Students may also be asked to prepare brief legal memos on an assigned topic in family law for internal use by the staff team.  

Component 3: Court Accompaniment

Students will accompany women to court appearances, including motions and conferences. Their role will be to provide support and take detailed notes, which will then be provided to women following the court appearance. 

Type: Client Services, Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Family Law

Community served: Women, Domestic violence survivors, Self-represented litigants

# of Student Volunteer Positions: 1 each from Lincoln Alexander, Osgoode, UofT 

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: Flexible hours outside of scheduled client meetings, Background and interests in working with women who have experienced intimate partner violence would be an asset

Open to: 1L, 2L, Joint Project with UofT

Project Summary

Students will work remotely with their assigned lawyer supervisor to assist them with their caseload which can include client-directed work and law reform work. Typical tasks include legal research, client follow up, and letter writing. There will be some opportunity to sit in on intake meetings, but the students will primarily be engaging in research-based work. Examples of potential research topics may include child welfare, human rights claims, privacy matters, immigration matters, criminal law, education law or administrative law matters

Type: Public Legal Education, Research, Client Services

Area(s) of Law: Poverty, Housing, Human Rights

Community served: Children & youth, Homeless & marginally housed, LGBTQ+

# of Student Volunteer Positions: 1 each from Lincoln Alexander, Osgoode, UofT

Commitment: 4-5 hours/week

Special Requirements for Student Volunteers: Strong Legal Writing skills, Client facing experience

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary: 

Students will create Public Legal Education (PLE) resources to make information about joint tenancies accessible to KBCLS’s clients. Research questions include 

• How does the Residential Tenancies Act apply in a joint tenancy situation with multiple roommates all on the same lease signed at the same time? 

• How do joint tenancies affect individuals when they want to leave their lease but other  roommates want to remain?  

• And other questions developed in consultation with KBCLS  

Type: Research

Area(s) of Law: Housing Law, Administrative Law

Community served: Homeless & marginally houses, People living in poverty, People living with disabilities & chronic illnesses

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 3

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: None.

Open to: 1L, 2L

Project Summary

Students will assist with the intake of clients at KBCLS. Students will be trained on the types of law that callers need information on and intake procedures. Students will then provide the callers with legal information, referrals, or gather the information needed to process the intake. ​Staff will be available to assist students.

Type: Client Services 

Area(s) of Law: Housing, Immigration, Social Assistance, Employment Law 

Community served: Homeless & marginally housed, People living in poverty, People living with disabilities & chronic illnesses

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 8 

Commitment: 4-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: This is an in-person project.

Open to: 1L, 2L

Project Summary

Students will be trained to help individuals fill out tenant applications. Under supervision from a lawyer, students will develop a theory of the case and work with clients to complete applications and gather evidence for their eventual hearings. KBCLS does not represent individuals on these applications. The project exists to ensure tenants have clear and coherent tenant applications with adequate evidence that puts them in the best position to self- represent at the Landlord and Tenant Board. Note that students are not permitted to provide legal advice. ​ 

Type: Client Services

Area(s) of Law: Housing, Administrative Law 

Community served: Homeless & marginally housed, People living in poverty, People living with disabilities and chronic illnesses

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 10 (two students will be assigned to one client file) 

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: This is an in-person project, experience working with vulnerable populations is an asset but not required.

Open to: 1L, 2L

Project Summary

Students will conduct in-depth research into the current “Digital First” approach of Tribunals Ontario. Students will identify how the “digital first” approach has changed legal proceedings at the Landlord and Tenant Board and the Social Benefits Tribunal and the effect of low-income individuals in the catchment area who may lack access to digital infrastructure. The project will also examine LAO budget cuts and how equipped legal clinics are to pick up the slack with lacking digital infrastructure in the catchment. The final result of the research will be

1. A brochure/pocket guide about “digital first” at the Landlord Tenant Board and Social Benefits Tribunal

2. Preparation of PLE materials for navigating “digital first” at the LTB/SBT

3. Potentially giving a workshop about “Digital First” at the LTB/SBT (depending on community partner availability)

4. A blog post about how “Digital First” has affected KBCLS to be published on our socials and presented to our Board.

Type: Research/PLE

Area(s) of Law: Housing, Administrative Law 

Community served: Homeless & marginally housed, People living in poverty, People living with disabilities and chronic illnesses

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 10 (two students will be assigned to one client file) 

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: This is a virtual project with the option of working in person at KBCLS

Open to: 1L, 2L

Project Summary

Students will research rooming houses in Toronto to create Public Legal Education materials. Students will review the Residential Tenancies Act, Landlord and Tenant Board decisions, City of Toronto Council Meetings & Bylaws, and other applicable statutes and government records to determine the current legal landscape of rooming houses in the catchment. The final result of the research will be: 

1. A brochure/pocket guide about rooming houses in the catchment;

2. Preparation of PLE materials for navigating a rooming house lease

3. Potentially giving a workshop about rooming houses (depending on community partner availability); and 

4. A blog post about how the current legal landscape around rooming houses affects KBCLS to be published on our socials and presented to our Board.

Type: Client Services

Area(s) of Law: Housing, Administrative Law 

Community served: Homeless & marginally housed, People living in poverty, People living with disabilities and chronic illnesses

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 10 (two students will be assigned to one client file) 

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: This is a virtual project with the option of working in person at KBCLS

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

Component 1: Research 

The student will collect resources of lawyers within the GTA. They will conduct research on family laws that newcomer families need to be aware of in order to avoid conflict with the law i.e. Child protection laws, gender based and intimate partner violence laws, etc. The student will compile resources on marriage and divorce laws catered towards racialized, immigrant women including division of assets and spousal support. The resources will inform component 2. 

Component 2: Build & Facilitate PLE’s

Based on the research conducted, the student will create and lead workshops virtually and in person (webinars, presentations). They will also create plain language resources that EFRY staff can provide to clients on an ad hoc basis. EFRY staff will always be present during workshops, and the PLE is for legal information purposes only. 

Type: Research, Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Criminal Law, Child & Family Law 

Community served: Women, Immigrants, refugees & newcomers, Trans and gender diverse individuals

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 1

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: Preference will be given to female-identifying applicants who have experience working with vulnerable populations

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

Demovictions happen when a landlord demolishes the residential complex and/or the rental units therein. In addition to displacing tenant(s), demovictions remove affordable rental units from Toronto. To respond to this problem, DVCLS is exploring ways of advocating for the City of Toronto to create new regulations and policies around demovictions. The student will work with DVCLS’ Housing team to support their advocacy efforts against

demovictions by:

• Conducting research and comparative analysis on other jurisdictions to see if their policies may be applicable to Toronto.

• Monitor and summarize how Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 affects demovictions. The summary will be used by DVCLS for their own advocacy efforts.

Type: Research

Area(s) of Law: Municipal and Housing Law

Community served: Immigrants, refugees & newcomers, Linguistic minorities, Racialized communities

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 1

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: This is a remote/virtual project.

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

DVCLS’ immigration team provides summary advice and legal representation for various immigration problems. The team works with clients from their catchment area, as well as referrals from West Scarborough Community Legal Services.

In this project, the law student will be responsible for contacting clients via DVCLS’s Zoom Phone app to record their information and a statement of their legal issue(s). The student will then log this information into DVCLS’ statistical case management program. Students will conduct research into clients’ issues and files. The student will also shadow the lawyer supervisor, who will emphasize the legal issues and the relevant facts of each case and draw attention to any facts which may be missing.

Type: Client Intake & Assistance

Area(s) of Law: Immigration Law 

Community served: Immigrants and newcomers, racialized communities

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 1

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: This is an in-person project with a regular shift each week (Friday morning from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) at DVCLS’s office. Eventually, students may be able to complete intake work from home, if this is approved by DVCLS.

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

An affidavit is a written document that contains facts that someone swears under oath or affirms are true (source). DVCLS helps clients prepare affidavits and other documents for government, financial, or legal purposes. These include income verification affidavits, daycare subsidy affidavits, notarial true copies, and more.

In this project, students will help the clinic staff worker deal with the clients who have appointments for affidavits or notarial true copies:

• Students will ensure clients have brought an ID document.

• Students will shadow the client-lawyer meetings, which include an interview.

• Eventually, students will be able to take a more active role under lawyer supervision. Students may be able to conduct the interview independently and draft the affidavit using a template which is then reviewed by a DVCLS lawyer.

Type: Client Intake & Assistance

Area(s) of Law: Housing, Social Benefits, Administrative.

Community served: Low income individuals, precariously housed, racialized communities

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 1

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: Students will be in person for a regular shift each week (Thursday from 1:30-4:30 PM) at DVCLS’s office in Leaside Park. If a student cannot make their scheduled shift, they must inform the lawyer supervisor.

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

DVCLS’ Income Maintenance team provides information, advice, and assistance related to income assistance, including Ontario Works (often still called welfare), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and more. In recognition of the fact that many of the Income Maintenance team’s clients would benefit from the support of social workers or other community resources, DVCLS has recently sent out a survey to assess what resources are available in community agencies. At this stage, DVCLS seeks a student to explore how DVCLS’ legal workers can get access to social work assistance as required for their clients.

Component 1: Research 

The student will look into how legal aid agencies in other jurisdictions (e.g. Australia) have collaborated with social workers and community organizations, with the goal of providing concrete recommendations that can inform DVCLS’ next steps. Students will research what went well and/or badly in other jurisdictions that have implemented similar programs. The student will also investigate related issues, such as confidentiality concerns (i.e. when sharing a client’s personal info with external groups). Finally, students will map out a process/formal agreement for partnerships between DVCLS and social workers; this may require some research into contract law.

Component 2: Client Services

The student will sit in on meetings with clients and possibly shadow particular files from start to finish to gain an understanding of how cases evolve. The student will sit in on client interviews, Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT) hearings, etc. They will take note of any issues (including medical concerns such as physical and mental health) which would be relevant to a social worker.

Type: Client Intake & Assistance, Research

Area(s) of Law: Disability Law, Social Benefits, Administrative Law. 

Community served: Newcomers, precariously housed, low income, disabled communities

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 1

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: This is a virtual project. Some knowledge of ODSP/OW is helpful. The schedule is flexible. Client meetings may happen on an ad-hoc/sporadic basis.

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

While the existence of systemic anti-Black racism within the education system is generally acknowledged, there is a lack of clarity regarding the collective remedies available to Black students experiencing this discrimination. An individual who has experienced discrimination can turn to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, but is there a way to address the collective harms caused by systemic anti-Black racism within the education system?

In this project, a student will research three potential avenues of collective redress for systemic anti-Black racism within Ontario’s education system: class actions, Charter challenges, and group Human Rights Tribunal applications. Students will focus on three main ways in which anti-Black racism can manifest – suspensions, expulsions, and streaming (i.e. dividing students into academic or applied tracks) – and weigh the pros and cons of each course of action.

Type: Research

Area(s) of Law: Human Rights Law

Community served: Children and Youth, Racialized communities

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 1

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: This is a virtual project with the option of working in person. History of self-directed research and research in general is a strong asset.

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

BLAC regularly receives more requests for assistance with Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) applications than the clinic can fulfill. The goal of this project will be to allow clients to help themselves, even if BLAC does not have the capacity to represent them. The student will create a resource which will help clients complete applications regarding discrimination, specifically anti-Black racism, in services, accommodation (i.e. housing,

occupancy), contracts, and employment. The resource should allow clients to answer relatively straightforward/plain language questions and receive a completed form which is ready to be reviewed by BLAC and/or filed at the HRTO.

The student will investigate potential tech solutions for this resource, such as a more simple PDF/fillable form or more complex AI/wizard. Additionally, the student will research how the HRTO may be using administrative processes (notice of intent to dismiss) to unjustly dismiss applications on the basis that they “fall outside

their mandate,” and try to address this through the resource.

Type: Research

Area(s) of Law: Human Rights Law

Community served: Racialized communities, low income individuals

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 1

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: This is a virtual project with the option of working in person. Ability to translate complex legal processes and issues into plain language and familiarity with technology are assets.

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

What legal issues are related to raising awareness of racism, what are the risks, and when does this bleed into defamation or slander? As this recent lawsuit demonstrates, these questions are very real. Pro Bono counsel at Torys LLP has produced a 45-page primer for BLAC addressing the potential risks and liabilities which can arise from engaging in advocacy over social media. This legal memo now needs to be updated and translated into plain language resources for BLAC to share with the wider community. Additionally, the student will use Canva and Powtoon to translate the memo into an educational campaign (graphics, videos, plain language documents) which will be shared with the public.

Type: Research

Area(s) of Law: Human Rights Law

Community served: Racialized communities, low income individuals

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 1

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: This is a virtual project with the option of working in person. Ability to translate complex legal processes and issues into plain language and familiarity with social media are assets.

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

Anti-Black racism within the medical system, including mistreatment and disparities, has been documented through social science evidence and more. BLAC does not currently deal with medical malpractice cases, but given the prevalence of this issue, the legal clinic would like to see what avenues of redress may be available. Students will:

• Develop a public resource on anti-Black racism in health care.

• Conduct legal research on the prevalence of anti-Black racism in health care (e.g. maternal, mental).

• Outline possible avenues of redress (e.g. complaint to regulatory body, civil claim for medical negligence, application to human rights tribunal, appeal to Consent and Capacity Board), including the process and associated pros/cons (e.g. adverse costs, remedies, timelines, limitation periods). This portion will include a review of relevant case law.

• Pull together available community resources (e.g. patient navigators).

• Research possible issues with provincial or federal laws and regulations that may be leading to disparate health outcomes, and which BLAC might seek to reform.

Type: Research, Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Human Rights Law, Health Law

Community served: Racialized communities, low income individuals

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 1

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: This is a virtual project with the option of working in person. Background in science or medicine is an asset.

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

METRAC is an Ontario based non-profit organization (located in Toronto) in operation since 1984 working to end violence towards women and youth and have extended services to Two- Spirit, Nonbinary and trans people as of 1995. Our current violence prevention and intervention activities are focused on advancing safety, justice, and equity through education, outreach, community safety initiative, research, and social policy work. The Community Justice Program develops, produces and distributes legal information in clear language for vulnerable individuals, groups and their service providers, to learn about how the law and legal systems work to protect people from gender-based violence.

The project will centre on preparing and presenting Public Legal Education (PLE) presentations for Toronto area community groups, including shelters for women affected by partner violence. Students will work with METRAC’s legal information materials, to conduct legal research and to develop and adapt new presentation materials as needed. PLE presentations will explain in clear language, various aspects of the law and legal processes that women are likely to encounter, some of which may be related to information posted on the OWJN and FLEW websites (www.owjn.org; www.onefamilylaw.ca).

The final outputs of the project may include PLE PowerPoint presentations and/or other written resources, which will be used by student to conduct legal information presentations for the community. Students may also prepare articles, case-comments or blog-style posts on various legal issues in collaboration with METRAC staff.

Type: Public Legal Education, Research

Area(s) of Law: Human Rights Law, Family Law, Criminal Law

Community served: Racialized communities, low income individuals

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 3

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: This is a virtual project limited to woman-identifying volunteers given the sensitivity of a shelter environment and working with women exposed to violence. No regular shifts will be required. Introductory trainings are pre-scheduled and mandatory. Independent work will be done at the discretion of the student. Experience with public presentations in plain and clear language is also considered an asset but is not essential as training on these skills will be provided.

Open to: 1L, 2L

Project Summary

The All Saints’ Drop-in is a safe, non-judgemental place where people can have coffee, rest, use washroom facilities, see a nurse or social worker, eat a hot meal, and access telephone, wifi, and computer services. 

Students will gather any legal questions and will spend the following 1-2 weeks researching the question (e.g. working on the streets, how the law differentiates sex work and trafficking, navigating criminal justice system, etc.). The lawyer supervisor will approve the accuracy of the information, and then the student will set up a phone call or in-person meeting with the client to deliver legal information only (likely this will occur on a subsequent drop-in session).

In addition, the student can deliver one presentation during the placement, on a legal issue to be chosen with drop-in clients. The student may produce written materials to be distributed to interested individuals who are unable to attend the sessions. Some clients would also like help applying for pardons.

Staff will be present at the drop-in each week, and are available to attend all presentations to help the students effectively deliver their presentations to the audience. The lawyer supervisor will be available to hear a mock presentation and must be present during the actual presentation.

Type: Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Human Right Law, Clinics/Poverty Law, Criminal Law 

Community served: Homeless & marginally housed, Domestic violence, Racialized communities

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 1

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements:

• Students should understand that the drop-in is a low barrier space; as such, clients may not be sober and may be experiencing mental health difficulties or other challenges during the session. Potential students should think carefully about whether they are able to volunteer in an unpredictable and client-facing environment.

• Some requirement to be in-person

• Preference for experience or interest in social justice or human rights field,working with marginalized communities, particularly sex workers and/ or people who use drugs. Experience navigating the criminal justice system and accessing resources like legal aid and court support, experience with family law and child welfare would also be an asset.

Open to: 1L, 2L

Project Summary

Haven is a drop-in centre where elder homeless, marginally housed and socially isolated men can feel safe, where they can form and cultivate friendships and become part of a community.

Students will gather any legal questions and will spend the following 1-2 weeks researching the question. The lawyer supervisor will approve the accuracy of the information, and then the student will set up a phone call or in-person meeting with the client to deliver legal information only (likely this will occur on a subsequent drop-in session).

In addition, the student can deliver one presentation during the placement, on a legal issue to be chosen with drop-in clients. The student may produce written materials to be distributed to interested individuals who are unable to attend the sessions. Some clients would also like help applying for pardons.

Staff will be present at the drop-in each week, and are available to attend all presentations to help the students effectively deliver their presentations to the audience. The lawyer supervisor will be available to hear a mock presentation and must be present during the actual presentation.

Type: Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Human Rights Law, Clinics/Poverty Law, Criminal Law 

Community served: Homeless & marginally housed, Domestic violence, Racialized communities

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 1

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements:

• Students should understand that the drop-in is a low barrier space; as such, clients may not be sober and may be experiencing mental health difficulties or other challenges during the session. Potential students should think carefully about whether they are able to volunteer in an unpredictable and client-facing environment.

• Some requirement to be in-person

• Preference for experience or interest in social justice or human rights field, working with marginalized communities, particularly sex workers and/ or people who use drugs. Experience navigating the criminal justice system and accessing resources like legal aid and court support, experience with family law and child welfare would also be an asset.

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

ALPHA  Education  is  an  educational  NGO,  non-profit,  and  registered  charity  in  Canada  that promotes a critical-historical investigation of the events of World War II in Asia. Our mission is to foster  awareness  of  an  often  overlooked  aspect  of  World  War  II  history,  in  the  interest  of furthering the values of justice, peace, and reconciliation, both for survivors of the past and for those who shape the historical narratives of the present and future.

The project will support the ongoing development of the Asian-Pacific Peace Museum by ALPHA Education. In particular, the project will involve the research and development of materials that will support the museum’s exhibits on justice and other legal issues surrounding the legacies of WWII in Asia and the Pacific. The output of the project will be used as add-on information that will later be accessed by museum visitors through QR codes. 

Student  volunteers  will  research  and  develop  plain  language  resources  on  legal  topics  that  are relevant to museum exhibits, using existing resources and research already developed by ALPHA Education.  Student  volunteers  will  also  connect  historical  legal  issues  to  ongoing  and  potential future legal issues in the same general topic, revealing impacts and implications. They may also suggest to museum development staff further considerations in how to discuss international and human rights legal issues for the public. 

Type: Public Legal Education, Research

Area(s) of Law: Human Rights, International Law, Labour Law, Criminal Law, Treaty Law, Legal History

Community served: East Asian Community

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 1-2

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: This is a virtual project with the option of in-person shifts at ALPHA's office for regular weekly shifts. 

• Students are required to meet with their supervisor at least 4-5 times over the internship period.

• Knowledge of East Asian languages is an asset. An  interest and/or background  in  history,  international  law,  human  rights,  and  an  interest  in World War II history is an asset. 

• Observance of deadlines, above average (or better) writing skills are also an asset.

Open to: 1Ls and 2Ls

Project Summary

The Family Court Support Program is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Clinic staff are Court-based 4 days per week and meet with clients to provide legal information, referrals, safety planning and support at the three Toronto family courts (311 Jarvis, 361 University, 47 Sheppard). The Clinic administers the English-language Court Support Program in Toronto and makes referrals to the French language Court Support Program (OASIS). The Family Court Support Workers work with duty counsel, Legal Aid Ontario, shelters, Victim/Witness Assistance Workers, and court staff and other external service providers. Court accompaniment is also sometimes provided.

Type: Client Services

Area(s) of Law: Family Law, with some intersecting issues in immigration and criminal law

Community served: Domestic violence survivors, women, racialized communities

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 1 per school

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: 

• Students will be asked their availability for attending weekly shifts at one of the 3 Toronto courthouses at the beginning of each semester.

• Students will be required to remotely attend a mandatory Clinic orientation session together at an arranged time before their Clinic placement begins.

• Family law knowledge is preferred, but not necessary. 

• Past work with survivors of violence would be an asset.

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL) has developed a remote community outreach program to identify and address knowledge gaps related to various legal fields for Asian community members. The aim of the program is to partner with community organizations to create and provide public legal education in the form of presentations, workshops, webinars, recorded videos, social media/blog posts and plain language resources. This project involves developing a Family Law power-point presentation and creating accompanying pamphlets for community members to take away in various topics, including family law. 

Type: Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: General project 

Community served: Racialized communities, Linguistic minorities, women

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 1

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements: none

Open to: 1L, 2L

Project Summary

This is a justice education and mentorship program for First Nations, Mé tis and Inuit youth aged 11-14 where youth work with justice sector volunteers on fun and engaging activities that teach them about the Canadian criminal justice system, while incorporating Indigenous pedagogy including smudging, feasting, Elder teachings, and a focus on restorative justice

The project will involve support for online/remote or in-person justice education sessions for Level’s Indigenous Youth Outreach Program (IYOP).This project will feature two components: 

1. Assisting in the facilitation and delivery of mock trials for youth

The Indigenous Youth Outreach Program runs 6-10 justice education session with Indigenous students in a particular school location. Volunteer students will be involved in relationship-building exercises, identity work, and justice education games and experiences with the program participants

2.  Researching and drafting new mock trial scenarios.

IYOP relies on a mock trial handbook to ensure smooth delivery of sessions. These handbooks contain mock trial scenarios for use by volunteers in the program. During off times (i.e. durations where students are not supporting with mock trials), student volunteers will be expected to conduct legal research for use by the partner organization, pending review and approval by the supervising lawyer.

Type: PLE, Client Services

Area(s) of Law: Indigenous Law, Criminal Law, Human Rights Law. 

Community served: Indigenous, First Nations and Metis, Children & Youth

Number of Student Volunteer Positions: 4-6

Commitment: 1-2 hours/week

Special Requirements: 

• This is a hybrid project, with most workshops being in person. 

• Volunteers are expected to commit 1-2 hours per week over the course of 8 weeks in the fall semester (October – November). In the winter semester volunteers are expected to commit to 1 - 2 hours per week for 12 weeks (January – March). In addition to attending the program sessions, volunteers must complete:

  • • A one-hour introductory training session with Level

    • A one-hour Cultural Humility and Empathy Training session

    • 1 Cultural Humility exercise in each semester the volunteer is active

• Given the nature of clientele served (youth), student volunteers should possess comfort working with youth, and a high degree of humility.

Open to: 1L, 2L, 3L

Project Summary

CSALC serves primarily non-English speaking clients. As such, they have developed videos to walk clients through complex legal processes such as Employment Income and Immigration matters. CSALC is looking for students to develop a script and complete a voiceover to guide clients through the processes in the video. The voiceover should be in at least one of the following languages, in addition to English: Mandarin, Cantonese or Vietnamese. These PLE resources will be posted on the CSALC website.  

The script should explain how to navigate systems, what to look out for, and tips to optimize your application. Students will need to conduct research on the processes prior to developing the script to ensure they are not missing key information. There are opportunities to create infographics and additional step-by-step videos should the students complete the work early. 

Type: Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Poverty, Housing, Human Rights

Community served: Racialized communities, low income individuals, Homeless & marginally housed, precariously employed

# of Student Volunteer Positions: 2

Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Special Requirements for Student Volunteers: This is a virtual project. Spoken bilingualism in Cantonese, Mandarin or Vietnamese is highly preferred. Preference will be given to students who self-identify as Chinese and/or Southeast Asian. Interest in immigration and immigrant populations is preferred.