Pro Bono Students Canada Western Law Chapter Application Description 2014/2015

Pro Bono Students Canada Western Law Chapter

Application Description 2014/2015

Application for Externships

PBSC Western has moved to offering students more practical and hands on experiences within the legal system. Externship Opportunities with legal clinics give students a chance to work with client files under the mentorship of volunteer lawyers.

Below is a complete listing of the opportunities. Please read the instructions for the application requirements to each Externship that you are interested in as the proper application process may vary for different placements.

Please only apply to placements for which you can fulfill the travel obligations/ time commitments for the ENTIRE year. If you have concerns or wish to discuss any placement, get into contact with the PBSC Coordinators PRIOR to the application

closing date.

All completed applications are to be handed to either Lynn or Viv at Community Legal Services, room 120 in hardcopy by September 11, 2014 at 4PM sharp. Separate applications must be submitted if you are applying for more than

one project. NOTE: CLS is a functioning legal clinic please respect the professionalism and be polite and respectful in all interactions.

*All cover letters should be directed to Aparna Bhushan and Tyson Burke.

Project

Name

Description

Application

Requirements

Pro-Spinal Cord Injury Ontario is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to assisting persons with spinal cord injuries. The Ferguson Barristers Spinal Cord Injury Pro Bono Legal Clinic runs a free clinic for Spinal Cord Injury Ontario (formerly Canadian

Paraplegic Association) approximately once per month in Toronto. Six lawyers take

a. Resume b. Cover Letter Explaining Interest c. Student Application

Bono Legal Clinic

turns conducting the clinic, which provides legal advice on a monthly basis at a Toronto-based clinic. There, they deal with a range of legal problems from wills and powers of attorney, to landlord-tenant issues, to human rights issues – with particular attention to accessibility.

The on-site position offers students the chance to work with clients doing intakes and handling SCI law-related matters. The successful applicant is expected to take notes, ask questions and participate in problem solving activities. Subsequent to each clinic, the student may be given research tasks by the attending lawyer, and will be expected to draft the reiteration letters to clients (signed by the lawyer). From time to time, students are also assigned research and task assignments relating to other SCI pro-bono files. Where possible, the student will be invited to attend hearings, motions, trials, mediations, etc. on cases involving SCI pro-bono matters.

The clinic seeks 2 law students to attend on-site in Toronto once a month from 10am – 4pm. The dates of the clinic are flexible and the organization is willing to work around the volunteer’s schedule to a certain extent. As the clinic is located in Toronto, the successful applicant will be responsible for his or her own transportation.

This project requires two students.

Note: Phone interviews between prospective applicants and the Supervising Lawyer for the clinic will be held for this position.

Form

NOTE: Phone Interviews will be held for this position

2. Elgin Oxford Legal Clinic

The Elgin-Oxford Legal Clinic (EOLC) provides poverty law services to low-income residents of Elgin and Oxford Counties. EOLC provides summary legal advice and represents clients before courts or tribunals in the areas of:

 Landlord-tenant disputes;

 Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program;

 Canada Pension Plan; and

 Criminal Injuries Compensation

a. Resume b. Cover Letter Explaining Interest c. Student Application Form d. Interviews will be held by the EOLC

EOLC is looking for up to seven students to work one half-day per week for the

duration of the school year (excludes exam periods). Students can expect to work with lawyer-mentors on tradition casework, summary advice, public legal education, law reform, and community development activities. EOLC is especially interested in

allowing students to have meaningful client contact and developing effective advocacy skills. The externship will be on-site at EOLC’s main office in St. Thomas, ON. Selected students will be expected to arrange their own transportation to and from the clinic for the year.

EOLC seeks five students to volunteer with their organization. Note: Interviews will be held by EOLC for prospective applicants. 3. Evictions

Prevention Project

The Evictions Prevention Project (EPP) is in its third year as a PBSC project.

Through the project students are able to advocate for tenants who are facing eviction. Clients of EPP would otherwise be unrepresented through the eviction process.

Tenants undergoing the evictions process are often confused and emotional, and they are left to defend themselves against claims that they may not fully understand.

Students on this project will handle client files at Community Legal Services. Students will interview clients, prepare their case with them, engage in negotiations and

represent clients at hearings in front of the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).

The eviction process can happen incredibly quickly, therefore selected students will be required to undergo intensive training on eviction matters. The training session will occur during the open period on September 22, 2014. Selected students will be required to complete a case study before September 18, 2014.

Interested students must:

a. Upper Year Student b. Resume c. Cover Letter Explaining Interest d. Student Application Form

 Demonstrate an interest advocacy and ability to represent clients at LTB hearings

 Be adaptable to quick and changing circumstances

 Be hard-working and dedicated to excellent client service.

 Be available to conduct intakes, handle client files, and attend hearings at the Landlord and Tenant Board.

 Be available for a training session: September 22 from 12:30-2:00pm. Please note that team members will be required to attend monthly team meetings. The EPP team is seeking three upper year law students for this project.

Interested students are free to contact PBSC coordinator Aparna Bhushan.

4.

Neighbourhood Legal Services

Neighbourhood Legal Services is a local Legal Aid Ontario clinic. Community legal clinics provide representation, public legal education, law reform and community development services to low income individuals and groups within the London area. NLS focuses on issues regarding Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program benefits, Canada Pension Plan, and Employment Insurance benefits.

NLS is looking for one upper year (preference will be given to a third year student). Strong research and writing skills are needed, as well as an interest in access to justice interest.

Note: Interviews will be held by Neighbourhood Legal Services for prospective applicants. a. Upper Year Student b. Bilingual (preference) c. Resume d. Cover Letter Explaining Interest e. Student Application Form f. Interviews will be held by NLS 5. Huron Perth Legal

Huron Perth Community Legal Clinic (HPLC) provides legal services to those who meet their income eligibility criteria. The kinds of law practiced under the general

a. Resume b. Cover Letter

Clinic heading “poverty law” are determined by the legal needs typically encountered by people in this low income level. Services are provided free of charge, and include services regarding: Ontario Works; Ontario Disability Support Program; Landlord and Tenant; Powers of Attorney; Canada Pension Disability Benefits; Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; some Consumer Protection.

HPLC is looking for one upper year student to attend the Stratford office one half day per week, over the course of the school year, excluding exam dates. For now, the day chosen is flexible. Students will work with lawyer/mentors to develop skills in: client interview and intake; casework; summary advice; public legal education; file directed legal research – case law and statute; law reform; and community development. Students will have direct client contact and develop advocacy skills. As the clinic is located in Stratford, the successful applicant will be responsible for his or her own transportation. Explaining Interest c. Student Application Form d. Upper Year Student 6. Pro Bono Law Ontario (PBLO) at Children’s Hospital

PBLO at Children’s Hospital is a medical-legal partnership created to help low-income families resolve legal problems that may prevent them from focusing their full attention on caring for a sick child. PBLO at Children’s Hospital covers a wide variety of legal needs, including: employment, social assistance, housing, immigration, and health care access.

One student will be selected for this project. The successful applicant will attend the Resource Centre once a week for a 4 hour session on either Mondays from 12:00 – 4:00pm, or Wednesdays from 1:00 – 4:00pm – whichever works better for the student. The PBSC student will assist families that are sent to the Resource Centre by hospital social workers to complete government forms for their children who suffer from life long, or life-threatening illnesses.

When the student is not assisting families, he or she will be completing small projects such as mini-memos on new legislation, pamphlets with resources for families, etc.

a. Resume b. Cover Letter Explaining Interest c. Student Application Form d. Upper Year Student e. Interviews will be held by the organization

These will be assigned by the on-site triage lawyer (Stephanie Dickson) and should not take longer than 10 hours each to complete.

The successful applicant will be required to provide his or her own transportation to the Children’s Hospital at LHSC (accessible by bus). The PBSC student will also be

required to complete a health screen, watch a short video on hand washing, and agree to LHSC’s policy on not visiting the hospital if one is feeling unwell.

This project is open to upper-year students. Applicants to this project should have an interest in health law, family law, and access to justice.

Note: Interviews will be held by the organization for prospective applicants.

7. London Courthouse Criminal Division (CLIC)

The student volunteer is expected to assist the duty counsel lawyer tasked with

providing summary legal advice in a new Criminal Law Information Centre (CLIC). This CLIC is a new centre offered at the London courthouse. The CLIC will be scheduled once a week for three hours to start. It is staffed by a consistent staff duty counsel lawyer and supervised by the Manager of Legal Services. The legal aid financial eligibility test would be applied for any clients using this service. Eligible clients facing Criminal Code or Controlled Drugs and Substances Act offences could attend the CLIC to receive summary legal advice from a lawyer, in advance of their next court date. The staff lawyer could assist with several tasks, including but not limited to: providing summary legal advice, guilty plea preparation, diversion applications, review of disclosure, resolution discussions with the Crown Attorney on the client’s behalf, bail variations, trial readiness preparation, research of legal issues, referrals to different agencies, peace bond advice and other related criminal law duties.

The PBSC student would be of assistance by completing the following non-inclusive list of tasks: triaging the clients to the correct court offices, completing paperwork with the

a. Resume b. Cover Letter Explaining Interest c. Student Application Form d. Upper Year Student e. Interest in Criminal Law

client such as bail variation forms or diversion applications, scheduling meetings with the Crown Attorney’s office, assisting the clients in obtaining their disclosure from the Crown Attorney, legal research of specific issues as they arise, assisting with client interviews, recording statistical information and other related tasks.

All of their work will be reviewed by the staff lawyer assigned to the CLIC and overseen by the Manager of Legal Services.

CLIC is looking for one upper year student to fill this placement. Applicants to this project should have an interest in criminal law.

Application for the Family Law Project

FLP is a national year-round program run by PBSC. Its impact is widely felt in the legal community. Just last summer, 800 clients were helped and 2000 forms were completed in Ontario alone. Now that the summer has ended, we are looking for FLP volunteers to take on the project for the upcoming school year. Note: Students applying to FLP must be available for a

mandatory training session that will take place on September 17, 2014 from 9:00am – 1:00pm at the Courthouse. *All cover letters should be directed to Joel Szaefer.

Description

Application

Requirements

majority of which are from lower income households. Organizations such as Legal Aid have responded to this issue to by providing subsidized lawyers for lower income persons to attain access to justice. However, a substantial gap remains between those who qualify for legal aid and those who can afford legal representation. To help fill this gap, the FLP program was created to assist self-represented clients in Family court. Students provide assistance by drafting the complex and sometimes overwhelming documents required for lower income persons to access their legal rights.

Approximately 20 student volunteers will be hired to assist lower incomes persons draft their legal documents at the Family Law Duty Counsel office at the Superior Court of Justice in London. Students will work under the supervision of knowledgeable and experienced Duty Counsel lawyers. Most of these documents involve issues of custody, access, spousal support, child support, and restraining orders. The program does not deal with divorce, separation or property issues. Clients will receive help through a variety of stages of their legal proceedings: from the initiating

Application and subsequent motions, to case conference briefs and settlement conference briefs. All client referrals originate from the Family Law Information Centre (“FLIC”). The Duty Counsel lawyer at FLIC selects only those clients who are incapable of drafting the legal documents or

a. Resume b. Cover Letter Explaining Interest c. Student Application Form d. Upper year student e. FLP APPLICATION FORM

require assistance with complicated matters.

Students are provided the opportunity to sit in on the lawyer-client meeting where they receive background on the case and instructions on how to proceed. The students, typically in pairs, then interview the client for approximately 2-3 hours while they draft the necessary documents. The lawyer then reviews the documents and the student is provided useful feedback on their legal drafting skills. This is an invaluable experience to receive firsthand advice from experienced family lawyers. Students also are able to gain experience by shadowing the Family Law Information Centre lawyer and to watch Duty Counsel lawyers in action at argued motions court.

This program is ideal for students with an interest in family law and/or social justice. Given the lack of opportunity to gain experience in the family law field within Canadian law schools, this is a great way to gain experience in Family law while displaying interest in the field to potential employers. Many employers specifically seek out volunteer experience through the FLP program as the program is award-winning and well-respected. Furthermore, this program also provides the opportunity to build connections with local family lawyers who may be hunting for future student hires.

If you are seeking an opportunity to improve your legal drafting and client interviewing skills, this is the program for you. More importantly, this program bestows a chance to make a real impact in peoples’ lives by helping alleviate the stress of navigating the complex legal system. Most of these clients have minimal resources and are greatly appreciative for the chance to work with the

talented and aspiring students. Students must be willing to dedicate 4 hours weekly to the program, and must have a genuine interest in social justice and/or family law.

NOTE: All FLP Applicants must be available to attend a mandatory training session on

September 17, 2014 from 9:00am – 1:00pm at the London Courthouse (located at 80 Dundas Street)

In order to apply students must submit the FLP Application form. This form can be found on the Pro Bono Website: http://law.uwo.ca/probono/InfoForStudents.html and the Family Law Website: http://law.uwo.ca/probono/FamilyLaw.html

Application for the Community Youth Project & High School Project

This placement is made possible through the combined efforts of PBSC and CLS. Students will be hired by PBSC but will operate under a CLS supervisor. Please note that this placement will run from October until April. Students may be expected

to do a limited amount of work during the months of December and April. Reporting requirements apply and monthly meetings will be scheduled. The team will also have a mandatory training session.

All completed applications are to be handed to either Lynn or Viv at Community Legal Services, room 120 in hardcopy by September 11, 2014 at 4PM sharp. NOTE: CLS is a functioning legal clinic please respect the professionalism

and be polite and respectful in all interactions.

Project Name

Description

Application

Requirements

Project & High School Project

Community Legal Services is offering the High School Law Project (HSP) and the Community Youth Project (CYP) as a joint program for the first time. Volunteers with this project will coordinate both of these separate programs, which present law students with a great opportunity to learn the law as it relates to the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the Employment Standards Act. These projects will also allow volunteers to immerse themselves in the community, interacting with London youth and vulnerable populations.

High School Project

The purpose of the High School Project is to expose youth to elements of the Canadian legal system in a court-like atmosphere. The project also provides an opportunity for current grade eleven and twelve students to glimpse into the exciting world of law school.

The HSP’s purpose is to expose high school students to the types of critical thinking lawyers must use in order to make arguments on their client’s behalf. High school

a. Resume b. First year students c. Cover Letter Explaining Interest d. Student Application Form

students are given time to debate amongst themselves the facts and law of the case presented, and then complete a moot which the student coordinators from Western facilitate.

Each day that the program runs, the high school students will be in the law school during the open period (12:20PM – 1:50PM). The topic for each session will be the same – high school students will argue principles of youth sentencing using the case R v. R.B. The case centers on youth internet use and online comments. The Community Youth Project

The goal of the Community Youth Project is to explain employment rights as they relate to all employed persons in Ontario. This project is conducted in a workshop setting at Youth Opportunities Unlimited and is directed at young adults, with the expectation that there will be active participation from the audience. Student volunteers will provide the youth participants with a 1-2 hour seminar on

employment law, which will cover a variety of related issues, such as the effect of a criminal record on employment. Our aim is to engage with the YOU participants, and to help them to learn new and useful information with regard to their legal rights in an informal and interactive atmosphere.

NOTE: Volunteers will be required to attend YOU to deliver the workshops to these youth. YOU is located at 141 Dundas Street in downtown London (accessible by bus). There will be between 6 and 8 workshops throughout the school year Volunteers for this project are required to attend a training session on September 18, 2014 at 6:00pm.

Hand in answers to the following questions:

Are you available to volunteer from either 10:30am-12:30pm or 1:00-3:30pm on Thursdays?

If Yes, please check off your availability:

Research Projects

Research projects can be done individually or with a team. Teams are generally made up of first year students and an upper year team lead. Teams are assigned a non-profit organization as a client and work under the supervision of a lawyer to address a legal question, issue, or concern of the client. Research projects are completed throughout the duration of the year

(unless specified otherwise). 1L students MUST be available to attend a special research training and networking session scheduled for October 20th, 2014 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Food will be provided at the training. Skills learned at this

session are directly applicable to the January term research memo assignment. *All applications should be directed to Aparna Bhushan and Tyson Burke.

Project

Name

Description

Application

Requirements

Each of the six Ontario common law schools will recruit one student to provide research and writing for METRAC on legal topics that would be of assistance to survivors of intimate partner violence and woman abuse. METRAC’s legal staff will assign topics to the student to produce articles for the Ontario Women’s Justice Network website, http://www.owjn.org/, or to produce research memoranda that can form the basis for such articles, as needed. Please note this is an intensive writing experience with training and ongoing feedback on the principles of plain language writing so that the information is accessible for the intended audience.

METRAC is looking for one student to fill this placement.

a. Resume b. Cover Letter Explaining Interest c. Student Application Form

Friendship Centre (Gladue Court Aboriginal Community Resources Booklet)

promotion of physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual well being of Native People, particularly those living in urban centres.

N’Amerind is seeking one student to create a resource booklet which will be used for 3 primary purposes:

 Devising sentencing alternatives/recommendations in Gladue court

 Gathering, verifying and formatting community-based information for the Gladue reports in a consistent format for footnotes and/or additional information, and

 Referrals in carrying out individual Healing Plans in the Aboriginal Community Justice Program/Diversion Program

The student volunteer will be asked to meet with Crown attorneys and Justices from the London community in putting together this booklet. This booklet will be a valuable resource to those directly involved in Aboriginal Community Justice, the Crown’s Office, Judges, Justice of Peace office, defence lawyers, other social services agencies, First Nations social services etc.

N’Amerind is looking for one student to fill this placement. Applicants to this project should have an interest in aboriginal law.

in Aboriginal Law b. Resume c. Cover Letter Explaining Interest d. Student Application Form 3. Clerkship with Ontario Court Judge Jeanine LeRoy

Justice Leroy was called to the Bar in 1993 and has 18 years experience as a criminal defence lawyer. She practiced criminal law at several firms in London until 2003 when she became a sole practitioner. She has been a lecturer and presenter for numerous organizations including the Ontario Police College, the London Police Service, the Criminal Lawyers Association and the Ontario Conference of Judges. She has been president of the Criminal Lawyers Association in London, and a member of the Muslim Educator Advisory Council and the Justices of the Peace Appointments Advisory Committee. Justice LeRoy co-founded One Good Turn: A Giving Circle, a non-profit organization that raises funds for youth in the London area and has been a mentor for the Criminal Law Intensive Program, University of Western Ontario Law School. Justice

a. Resume b. Cover Letter Explaining Interest c. Student Application Form d. 3L Student

LeRoy was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 2011.

Justice LeRoy is looking for two third year students to do background research for her on decisions that she will be writing. Students will have the opportunity to spend time in the judges’ chambers and attend court sessions when and if they so choose. The successful applicant is welcome to work at the library located at the courthouse or from home. Students applying for this project should have an interest in criminal law.

Justice LeRoy is looking for two 3L students to fill this placement. Applicants to this project should have an interest in criminal law.

4. Lawson Health Research Institute – Police Record Check Project

Lawson Health Research Institute is the research institute of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, Ontario. It is one of the largest research institutes in Canada, and it committed to furthering scientific knowledge to advance health care around the world.

Students will be looking at the police checks process in relation to mental illness. They will focus on things that are included in police checks that have nothing to do with breaking the law. For example, when people call the police multiple times, such as those working in shelters and in the mental health field who call the police for their job it may be logged and reported. There are guidelines called LEARN which identify what should be included in a police check, but what information is released is up to the

discretion of the police department ( e.g. Toronto is different than London). The students will look at the difference in practice between 10 different police forces and see where they vary or remain consistent. The Poverty Impact Council at United Way has been working on this for a year since it is a barrier to employment. It could also be a barrier at borders. The students will work with United Way as well as the work of the CURA2 Poverty and Social Inclusion project.

Students will prepare reports, and give updates at the CURA2 Media and Government Relations committee. The students will complete a final report which may be presented

a. Resume b. Cover Letter Explaining Interest c. Student Application Form

at the CURA conference.

The organization is looking for five students to fill this placement.

5. Lawson Health Research Institute

Lawson Health Research Institute is the research institute of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, Ontario. It is one of the largest research institutes in Canada, and it committed to furthering scientific knowledge to advance health care around the world.

Students will work as part of the CURA2 Poverty and Social Inclusion team (funded through SSHRC), and will look at tribunals related to landlord tenant act, ODSP and OW. The students will gather information to give to agency staff that go to tribunals with clients as a support person rather than a representative.

Students will be asked to prepare a legal information memorandum on their findings, prepare reports, and give updates at the CURA2 Media and Government Relations committee. The students will complete a final report that will be used as a resource for staff who attend tribunals; the report also may be presented at the CURA conference. The organization is looking for five students to fill this placement.

a. Resume b. Cover Letter Explaining Interest c. Student Application Form 6. London Coordinating Committee to End Woman Abuse (LCCEWA)

LCCEWA is a network of organizations, groups and individuals in London dedicated to ending woman abuse through leadership and actions that achieve both social justice for women and an integrated response to abused women and their children.

Two students will be asked to examine domestic violence and sexual violence cases, potentially within one jurisdiction, to determine if there is a trend of decision-making. Additional research into social media surrounding prominent cases will also help to unearth systemic and cultural biases. Taken together, the goal of the research is to

a. Resume b. Cover Letter Explaining Interest c. Student Application Form

highlight what needs to be changed and what we can learn from these decisions. Students will present their findings in the form of a research report as well as a presentation to the organization.

While there is no expectation for the students to have specific skill sets, an

understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual violence is important. The impact of violence against women is significant and many women who bring

charges of domestic or sexual violence often do so after a long history of abuse prior to arrest. Victim blaming and minimization is common. Students need to be aware of their own biases and attempt to unearth them.

7. Anago – Wills Project

For more than 50 years, Anago’s philosophy has been to establish positive therapeutic relationships with supported individuals. Anago focuses on a person’s gifts and believes everyone has different abilities, not disabilities. The organization serves female youth in need of protection, male youth in conflict with the law, and individuals with

developmental disabilities who may also be medically fragile.

This project placement will require the student volunteer to research current legislation and financial requirements for how parents, loved ones and friends can recognize an individual with a developmental disability receiving funds from the Ontario Disability Support Program, without impacting the individual’s subsidy and benefit plan. The student will be asked to provide recommendations and advice to Anago in the following areas:

 The basis on which a person is deemed incompetent resulting in authorizing a substitute decision maker

 The difference between substitute decision makers, powers of attorney and trustees and the best option for individuals supported by Anago

 When parents/love ones/friends should become involved to oversee

a. Resume b. Cover Letter Explaining Interest c. Student Application Form

financial/medical concerns versus the Agency who cannot be the substitute decision maker or trustee

The student’s final work product will be in the form of a report as well as a presentation to the organization.

Anago is looking for one student to fill this placement.

8. Anago – I.P. Project

For more than 50 years, Anago’s philosophy has been to establish positive therapeutic relationships with supported individuals. Anago focuses on a person’s gifts and believes everyone has different abilities, not disabilities. The organization serves female youth in need of protection, male youth in conflict with the law, and individuals with

developmental disabilities who may also be medically fragile.

The volunteer at this project placement will be asked to the do the following:

 Review Anago’s existing privacy and confidentiality policies and practices to ensure the organization meets Ministry compliance requirements.

 Review and make recommendations on privacy related to web-based electronic client databases to ensure privacy, confidentiality and record retention

requirements are met.

 Review and make recommendations on policy related to use of personal electronic devices for work related activities.

The student’s final work product will be in the form of a report and possibly a presentation to the organization.

Anago is looking for one student to fill this placement.

a. Resume b. Cover Letter Explaining Interest c. Student Application Form

Law Centre be asked to produce Public Legal Education materials on a number of areas of law for use in the Territory of Nunavut. This will require that the students research the territorial laws of Nunavut and liaise with the supervising lawyer throughout the year to get

feedback on their work.

The Kitikmeot Law Centre is seeking one student to fill this placement.

b. Cover Letter Explaining Interest c. Student Application Form 2. Canadian Environmental Law Association

The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) is a non-profit, public interest environmental clinic. Based out of Toronto, CELA uses existing laws to protect the environment and to advocate for environmental law reforms. Funded by Legal Aid Ontario, it is one of 77 community clinics across Ontario.

CELA seeks one upper-year law student who will help counsel prepare for the

Environmental Assessment Hearing of Low and Intermediate Radioactive Waste at the Bruce Nuclear Facility which resumes on September 9, 2014. The successful applicant will provide supplementary legal research including reviewing transcripts of the hearing and assisting counsel in filing final argument. This work can be completed from home or school.

The following qualifications are mandatory for prospective applicants:

 Strong legal research and writing skills

 Strong communication abilities

 Self-motivated

 Demonstrated interest in environmental issues and social justice/poverty issues.

a. Upper Year Student b. Has taken Administrative law c. Interest in public interest law d. Resume e. Cover Letter Explaining Interest f. Student Application Form NOTE: PBSC will be responsible for the interviewing and hiring of this position.

Application for the Flip Your Wig Project

‘Flip your Wig for Justice’ is a, pledge-based fundraising campaign taking place throughout Ontario next spring. This initiative has two main goals for 2015: 1) to raise awareness about access to justice issues in the legal profession and 2) to raise money for PBSC and the public interest organizations PBSC has partnered with, including CCLA, PBLO, METRAC, and OJEN. Inspired by the traditional barrister’s wigs of our profession, participants in the campaign will make a difference by

wearing a wild, wacky wig for the day, or by sponsoring someone else to wear a wig. In its inaugural year, the campaign garnered the support of significant players in the legal community, including seven major law firms.

All completed applications are to be handed to either Lynn or Viv at Community Legal Services, room 120 in hardcopy by September 11, 2014 at 4PM sharp. Separate applications must be submitted if you are applying for more than

one project. NOTE: CLS is a functioning legal clinic please respect the professionalism and be polite and respectful in all interactions.

*All cover letters should be directed to Aparna Bhushan and Tyson Burke.

Project Name

Description

Application Requirements

Flip Your Wig The Flip Your Wig Student Coordinators will play an important role in organizing this initiative and creating momentum for the campaign. With support from PBSC’s National Office, Coordinators will develop the Flip Your Wig Campaign at their law school. This will involve planning FYW events (including access to justice panels, wig contests, and the like) around the first week of March and enthusiastic engagement with faculty and students

a. Resume

b. Cover Letter Explaining Interest c. Student Application Form

to develop interest in the campaign. Throughout the course of the year, the coordinator’s duties may include the following:

- Working with the publicity coordinator to promote the Flip your Wig for Justice campaign at law schools;

- Devising creative ways to gain support for the campaign and to raise

awareness about access to justice issues during the campaign period;

- Planning FYW events and activities to take place at law schools during the campaign;

- Recruiting and rallying support via Facebook and Twitter, including running your Chapter’s Flip Your Wig Twitter handle;

- Developing relationships with faculty and administrators at the law school who can participate in your events and show support for the campaign;

- Working closely with the chapter, PBSC National, and partner organizations to further this initiative.

In September, October and November, Coordinators will work 3-5 hours/week. During the Winter semester they work 3-5 hours/week. During the first semester, the students will be actively organizing students and faculty and will raise awareness of the

Flip your Wig initiative. During second semester, Coordinators will focus on planning events and activities to take place during the campaign. Events may include an Access to Justice Panel featuring faculty, lawyers or organizations involved with access to justice issues or a Wig Contest.

The ideal applicant will be a personable, energetic, enthusiastic and resourceful person and will have strong leadership, communication, organization, and time management skills.