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+ PBSC UY Info Session2013-2014
+What is Pro Bono Students Canada?
+
PBSC MandatePBSC aims
(1) to provide vulnerable communities with legal services free of charge,
(2) to provide law students with out-of-the classroom legal experience, and
(3) to instill the pro bono ethic in future lawyers from their first day of law school.
+
How PBSC Works
PBSC increases access to justice by partnering with:
Not-for-profit
Organizations Legal Clinics and Law
Help Centres Government Agencies Courts and Tribunals Lawyers working on
Pro Bono files
+
What am I committing to?
General PBSC Training
Westlaw Canada Training (mandatory for 1Ls and UYs on research projects)
Specialized training (if applicable)
Student Agreement Form
3–5 Hours per Week on Your PBSC Project
On-line, end-of-year survey
+What Do PBSC Volunteers Do? Legal Research and Writing/Policy
Development – more flexibility in terms of hours
Clinical Projects – conduct client intake, provide information to clients, assist with document preparation
Public Presentations – develop and deliver legal information seminars to members of the public who do not have access to lawyers; create plain language documents for the public
Courts and Tribunals – assist self represented litigations attempting to navigate the legal system
++ A multi-disciplinary project with a broad mandate to document discrimination against sexual minorities abroad.
Project goals include facilitating the development and enhancement of LGBT rights by supporting international partners and activists with legal and social research.
The Envisioning Global LGBTRightsProject
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+How does the Envisioning Project work? The Envisioning Project has 3 subcommittees:
Africa, the Caribbean, and India. Students will be assigned to their first choice where possible.
Students will develop reports on their jurisdiction and assist foreign legal challenges by providing research assistance (including comparative constitutional law).
Ben Vandorpe is the Volunteer Coordinator for 2013/2014; he is also a returning student researcher.
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++ 9
Envisioning Timeline
Mandatory Envisioning training will be held on either Sept 27th or Oct 3rd (Date TBD).
Attend the Community Building Event on Nov. 13.
Formal monitoring occurs from the 11th - 15th.
September November
December Break for Exams.
October Mandatory WestLaw
Training.
Assigned to subcommittees by October 5th.
++ 10
Envisioning Timeline
Subcommittees will reconvene by January 20th.
Attend the Final Appreciation Event.
Students should wrap up their work by March 31st.
January March
April Break for Exams.
February
March
Formal monitoring occurs during the week of February 24th.
++ Help set the foundation for a new project to be launched in Sept 2014
Year 1: Research potential class action files, perform legal research related to the project (e.g. cy pres orders)
Year 2: Work on a class action file with lawyers from a partner firm to be identified
The Class ActionsProject
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Projects Exclusively for Upper Year Students
Many other projects do not require a specialized application, but are nonetheless just for Upper-Year students
Why Upper-Years? These projects are
generally more hands-on, require advanced LRW, or involve working with a marginalized community
Legal information vs. Legal advice
+METRACA community-based, not-for-profit organization committed to preventing violence against diverse women and youth
+
METRAC
Research and Writing Component One student will provide an article or
research memoranda on a topic of use to survivors of intimate partner violence and woman abuse for the Ontario Women’s Justice Network website
The student will gain skills in legal research and writing, as well as experience in social justice, feminist theory and anti-oppression work
Public Legal Education Component Two upper year female students will
prepare and provide PLE workshops at women’s shelters in the Toronto area
The workshops will cover various aspects of the law that the women are likely to encounter
Students will gain skills in preparing PLE seminars and public speaking, as well as receiving specialized training in anti-oppression work and issues faced by women who have experienced intimate partner violence
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Projects Exclusively for Upper Year Students
Here are a few other examples: Ontario Deputy Judges
Association (ODJA) Legal Internship
PROS/All Saints Drop-In Legal Information Volunteer
Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) Legal Internship
Justice for Children and Youth Legal (JFCY) Intern Program
+
How do I Apply?
Download the General Application Form from our website
Rank projects in terms of preference
Include a CV
Important Deadlines: Applications are due by e-mail to the Program Coordinators at [email protected] by WED. SEPTEMBER 18 at 5pm.
An electronic signature is acceptable!
+
Family Law Program (FLP)
Award-winning program developed in 1998 in order to provide support and assistance to individuals who cannot afford legal services and who do not have access to legal aid
Under supervision of Legal Aid Ontario lawyers, students help unrepresented litigants navigate the family law justice system by drafting their court documents and providing them with legal information
+How does the FLP work? Work under the supervision of Legal Aid
Ontario lawyers at one of three Ontario Courts of Justice: North York, 311 Jarvis, Brampton
One four hour shift per week Provide legal information and draft court
documents Gain client interviewing and drafting
skills Gain exposure to the family law justice
system and court procedure Network with advice and duty counsel
and family law judges Promote access to justice in the family
law system
+
The FLP is an incredibly rewarding experience because of the impact that it has on low-income families and the access to justice crisis in the family law system. As Justice Harvey Brownstone has noted, “the improved clarity, accuracy, and relevance of documents filed by student-assisted litigants is of enormous benefit in our efforts to provide fairness, efficiency, and due process to all litigants.”
+FLP Timeline
Applications due September 13; decisions made by September 20;
Full day training on Saturday, September 28 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
One sessions on substantive family law to be held during lunch hour in September, date TBA
Attend the Community Building Event on Nov. 13
September
October
November
December Break for Exams• Students start volunteering
at courts
+FLP Timeline
Attend the Final Appreciation Event
January
February
March
April Break for Exams
• Recommence volunteering at courts
• Summer employment positions are posted, with interviews to take place during the Faculty OCI process
• Judge shadowing
+
Sign me up! How do I Apply?
Application Process: Students must e-mail a brief application form to [email protected] by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13th. The application form is found here: http://www.law.utoronto.ca/programs-centres/programs/pbsc-pro-bono-students-canada/pbsc-family-law-project/upper-years
Students must commit to one four hour shift per week, as well as two mandatory training sessions, one of which will take place on Saturday, September 28th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The second training session will be held over lunch hour in September, exact date TBA.
+
The Wills Project
Originally operated as a PBSC initiative in partnership with the 519 Church Community Centre
Recently expanded to serve Aboriginal clients, individuals that fall within a low income bracket, as well as the original goal of serving members of the Toronto community who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS
4-5 upper year students
Drafting and reviewing Wills and Powers of Attorney
+How does the Wills Project work? Students will gain hands-on experience as they track
client files from initiation to closing. They will be meeting directly with clients. They will also have individual supervision from a lawyer who provides valuable insight and guidance throughout the file.
Approximately 20 hrs across 2-3 week period
Attend 2 training sessions (one session at Basman Smith office on Tues Oct 8 and the general PBSC training on Sept 25 or 26)
Students will also be required to plan and put on a Public Legal Education seminar
+Wills Timeline
Applications due Fri Sep 13
PBSC Training on the 25 or 26
Continue drafting
Break for reading week Nov. 4-8
Meeting with client and lawyer to execute document
Possibly deliver Public Legal Education seminar
September
October
November
December Break for Exams Attend mandatory training Oct.
8 1-5pm
Receive client and lawyer match
Intake meeting with client and lawyer
Start drafting
+Wills Timeline
Project resumes
New clients assigned if fall semester client completed
Intake meeting with client and lawyer
Attend the Final Appreciation Event
Possibly deliver Public Legal Education Seminar
January
February
March
April Break for Exams Drafting
Break for reading week Feb. 17-21
Meeting with client and lawyer to execute document
+
Sign me up! How do I Apply?
Application Process: Students must e-mail a cover letter describing their interest and a current resume to [email protected] by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13th.
Students must commit to two mandatory training sessions, one of which will take place on Tuesday, October 8th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
+
The Tax Court of Canada Advocacy Project
Six Upper-Students work in teams of two to assist unrepresented litigants appearing in front of the Tax Court of Canada
Students help taxpayers navigate the procedures of Tax Court under the supervision of Dentons lawyers (formerly FMC)
The project is restricted to Informal Procedure cases
+How does the Tax Court Advocacy Project work? Students meet with the client assigned to
them, get the history of the case, obtain relevant and missing documents and a list of witnesses
Students prepare written submissions and conduct the hearing
Lawyer supervisors are present in court observing
After the hearing students complete a Post-Hearing Report
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Photo: Jean-Marc Carisse
Judges of the Tax Court of Canada
Drag picture to placeholder or click icon to add
+Tax Court Timeline
Apply by September 13
Attend PBSC Training on September 25 or 26
Attend the Community Building Event on Nov. 13
Students meet with clients and continue to learn about relevant case law
September
October
November
December
Break for Exams Attend WestLaw Training on 21st or 22nd
Dentons’ “How to Run a Trial” training session
Students study relevant case law
+Tax Court Timeline
Begin substantive work to prepare for hearing (written submissions, etc.)
Attend the Final Appreciation Event
Fill out End-of-Year Survey
January
February
March
April
Break for Exams Students make themselves available for formal monitoring with the Volunteer Coordinator
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“Ain’t No Party like a Tax Club Party.” How do I Apply?
Qualifications: Income Tax Law pre OR co-req Litigation experience strongly
preferred
Important Deadlines: Submit cover letter detailing
interest and CV to [email protected] by Fri. Sept 13 at 5pm.
Also Seeking a French-speaking Volunteer Coordinator: Contact person for PBSC
students, regular check-ins to ensure teams meet with clients in timely manner, draft submissions and prepare for hearings
Works with Program Manager to ensure smooth running of program
+
The Medico-Legal Society of Toronto Advocacy Project (MLST)
The MLST Advocacy Project provides unrepresented complainants with assistance before the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board
HPARB deals with appeals of complaints that have been dismissed by the Complaints Committees of the Colleges of various regulated health professions in Ontario, including doctors, dentists, and nurses
The project provides an important access to justice service, as many of the complainants are self-represented and face experienced counsel
The project is amazing hands-on experience, especially for students that may be interested in health law or tribunal/admin work
+How does the MLST advocacy project work? Students are placed in groups of 2 or 3 and
are assigned a file to handle from start to finish, including client interviews, research, a pre-review conference, drafting, the oral hearing before HPARB, and follow-up with the client after the decision is issued
Students will work with a legal supervisor and a physician supervisor to build their case, and also have the volunteer coordinator as a resource
There are also training sessions in the fall semester, including advocacy and how to read medical records
+MLST Timeline
Attend the Community Building Event on Nov. 13
Conduct preliminary research and begin drafting
Hold PRC, schedule hearing
September
October
November
December Break for Exams
Applications due Wed September 18th
Volunteer selection and file assignment thereafter
Training session Oct 4.
Meet with team and supervisors
Intake meeting with client
Schedule PRC
+MLST Timeline
Attend the Final Appreciation Event
Hearing (February or March)
January
February
March
April Break for Exams
Follow-up with client after decision issued
Project resumes
Continue researching and drafting
Mock hearings
Mock hearings
Hearing (February or March)
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I’m Sold! How do I Apply?
Application Process: Interested students should
apply directly to the Volunteer Coordinator (Madlyn Axelrod) via email at [email protected], with a cover letter and resume
Important Deadlines: Applications are due on
Wednesday September 18 at 12pm.
Please note students must be available for mandatory MLST training on Oct 4 in addition to PBSC training.
+
The Immigration and Refugee Detention Centres Project (IRDC)
Public legal education on immigration/refugee law and procedure at key Ontario provincial correctional facilities ("detention centres").
After training, you and a partner go to the detention centres once a month to present to a group of approximately 4-10 detainees.
Through this project, detainees - an isolated and vulnerable population - gain access to legal information they otherwise would be unable to receive, and you gain first-hand exposure to correctional facilities and immigration/refugee law.
+How does the IRDC project work? You need a background/demonstrated
interest in refugee law (e.g. Migration Law or Refugee Law)
Presentation is already prepared, so no research requirement and you will receive training both from Rana Khan at the UNHCR and a lawyer mentor from Refugee Law Office at Legal Aid
VC will assist with scheduling visits, liaising with detention centres
You must have a valid driver’s license, but there is a budget for car rental.
+
“My experience as a volunteer with PBSC's IRDC project stands out as one of the more challenging and rewarding commitments I made as a law student. It's a unique opportunity to bring valuable legal information to individuals who are detained and facing the possibility of deportation, more often than not without having had the benefit of any legal advice or information. It is an important program I was privileged to be a part of during the three years I was at U of T Law.” – Janet McGill, 3L
+IRDC Timeline
Attend PBSC training session on Sept. 25 or 26 and specialized IRDC training with Rana Khan at UNHCR on Sep. 27
Apply for Police clearance
Practice presentations with lawyer mentors
Attend the Community Building Event on Nov. 13
Visit to detention centre
Fall monitoring
September
October
November
December Break for Exams
+IRDC Timeline
Visit to detention centre Attend the Final
Appreciation Event
Fill out End-of-Year Survey
January
February
March
April Break for Exams Spring monitoring
+
So How do I Apply?
Apply through the General Application process (available for download on our website)
Due: Wednesday Sept. 18
Please note that students must have taken or concurrently take Migration Law/Refugee Law or equivalent course
Students must hold a valid driver’s license and those with vehicles will be preferred
For security clearance reasons, students must be Canadian citizens
+
PBSC at Law Help Ontario
PBSC at Law Help Ontario provides an opportunity to assist individuals who are involved in civil litigation and can’t afford legal representation.
This year we will be recruiting 20 students at the University of Toronto
+How does the Civil Litigation project work? Volunteers will be assigned a weekly 3
hour shift (either morning or afternoon) based on their availability at the 393 University Centre office, which is focused on litigation issues at the Superior Court of Justice.
Volunteers interview clients, identify legal issues, and assist lawyers in providing legal support to the clients.
Volunteers assist with drafting legal documents and correspondence under the guidance of a lawyer.
+
"Volunteering at Law Help Ontario has been the most practical learning experience I have had during Law School. I was exposed to every aspect of litigation, including meeting clients and helping lawyers draft pleadings, motions and affidavits. More importantly, volunteering at LHO is a great way to make a meaningful impact in the lives of unrepresented litigants."
Student volunteer, 3L
+Law Help Timeline
Attend the Community Building Event on Nov. 13
September
October
November
December Break for Exams
Applications Due Sept. 13
PBSC General Training 25 or 26
Training Session Sept. 27, 1-4pm
Shifts Begin Sept. 30 (tentative)
+Law Help Timeline
Attend the Final Appreciation Event
January
February
March
April
Break for Exams
Shifts re-start at beginning of winter term
Monitoring
+
I’m Sold! How do I Apply?
Application Process: apply online through the PBSC at Law Help Ontario website: http://www.law.utoronto.ca/programs-centres/programs/pbsc/pro-bono-law-ontario-civil-litigation-project
Important Deadlines: All applications are due by
Friday, September 13, 2013 Training will take place on
September 27th
+
The Deputy Judges Clerkship Project
Two 3L students will assist Administrative Deputy Judge Laura Ntoukas with legal research and writing, at the Toronto Small Claims Court (47 Sheppard Ave).
Students must be available for a regular shift TBD based on student’s schedule and will in addition perform work remotely
+How does the Deputy Judges Clerkship Project work? Students will attend the Small Claims Court
for a regular weekly shift (to be determined with the student)and will provide research support onsite or remotely
Students will perform “file review” of upcoming court appearances
Students will have shadowing opportunities and a full briefing of the files with the parties’ consent (e.g. trial, settlement conferences, hearings, etc.)
+Deputy Judges Timeline
Attend the Community Building Event on Nov. 13
September
October
November
December Break for Exams
PBSC Training on Sept 25th or 26th
First Meeting with Admin. Deputy Judge Ntoukas by Oct. 11.
WestLaw Training on Oct 21 or 22
+Deputy Judges Timeline
Attend the Final Appreciation Event
January
February
March
April Break for Exams
Resume placement
+
What Makes a Good Candidate?
How do I Apply?
Students should have an interest in litigation and a strong academic record
To apply please send a cover letter detailing your interest and a CV to [email protected] by Fri. Sept. 13 at 5pm. Unsuccessful candidates will be automatically considered for the Ontario Deputy Judges Association Research Internship.
Please note that students must be willing to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen.
+Before we take your questions, thank you to PBSC’s sponsors:
+
Any Questions?
