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CLA offers several volunteer, credit and paid placements for law students wishing to gain practical legal skills and serve the community. Working at the clinic offers students the opportunity to learn crucial professional skills and ethics in a public interest context that emphasizes intellectual discovery and practical experience. The chance to make a difference in the lives of our clients adds important elements of meaning and satisfaction as well. Students frequently tell us that working at the clinic is “the best thing I did at law school”.

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Credit Program

Students applying for academic credit will not be selected through the same process as Caseworkers and Senior Caseworkers. Please see the academic credit application process.

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Volunteer Program

Community Legal Aid advertises volunteer applications for the Fall term in August of each year.  Winter term volunteer positions are advertised in December of each year.​

 

CLA intake workers are the first point of contact for clients facing challenging legal issues.  You will conduct thorough interviews to gather essential information, identify key legal issues, handle sensitive data with professionalism and confidentiality.  Intake workers develop strong active listening and communication skills and learn to prioritize tasks under pressure.  They work collaboratively with legal staff and external resources to provide support and referrals.

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As a caseworker, you communicate directly with clients, opposing parties, court staff and our community partners. You conduct legal research and draft correspondence pertaining to your client files. 

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You can return as a senior caseworker, and be responsible for the tribunal or court advocacy of files in your assigned group. Our senior caseworkers appear before the Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court – Small Claims Court and the Landlord and Tenant Board.

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Groups meet once a week at a set group time for a two-hour period. Volunteers are expected to conduct their work throughout the week, and beyond their set group time depending on file requirements.

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Summer Term Program

We also offer summer employment as a Group Leader. These opportunities are advertised in February of each year, with interviews held in March. Please see the Group Leader application process. All selected candidates must commit to volunteering as Group Leaders for the subsequent fall and winter terms. 

• Rate of Pay: $700.00 a week

• Vacation: 1 week paid vacation

• Term of employment: May to end of August

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Only select candidates will be contacted for an interview. 

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