Western Law Internship Program (WLIP)

Western Law student at the UN Permanent Mission

The Western Law Internship Program (WLIP) was launched in March 2006 to provide Western Law students with interesting, substantive internships, some of which have a strong intercultural or international component. WLIP encourages students to expand their law knowledge beyond the classroom, in a professional legal environment.

In many of the internships, interns are asked to research and analyze domestic, international, and comparative law issues for their organizations. In addition, interns may be asked to assist in court or in international, governmental, non-governmental, or client meetings. WLIP internships have consistently improved students’ research and writing skills, as well as their marketability in our increasingly global economy.

The number of internships and placement locations change annually. Internships take place between May and August and last 10 to 12 weeks. Interns receive a stipend to cover basic expenses during their internships including travel, cost of living, and visas.

During the internship, interns provide reports in addition to an extensive final report at the end of their internship summarizing their experience.

Interested Western Law 1L and 2L students are invited to attend WLIP information sessions held in the Fall of each year. Information sessions are advertised through the Student Legal Society’s daily newsletter.

Internship Opportunities

WLIP internships may be offered in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Three examples are highlighted below.

A map of Earth with quotes from participants overlaid. Quotes: This internship will be very helpful in my future career in understanding how in-house counsel operates and how to best serve a future client, as well as furthering my interest in mining law! Madeline, 2022 intern at Cassels Brock and Blackwell LLP Student Internship in Mining Finance (with Newmont) My experience as a legal intern with UNHCR was professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling...It was a privilege to work with UNHCR, and I would highly recommend this internship to future students. Jameel, 2022 intern at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Canada The SASLAW Pro Bono Internship has been such a rewarding experience that has given me the opportunity to interact with attorneys and advocates from a number of firms in South Africa Mikaela, 2022 intern at LeClair and Associates South African Labour Law Summer internship at the South African Society for Labour Law (SASLAW)

Beyond our funded WLIP internships, we prepare a collection of international law internship opportunities that students can explore and apply to independently. Read more

Intern Reflections

Learn how the WLIP interns spent their summers, and what organizations we partnered with in 2023 and 2024!

Helpful Links


If you need further information, contact Western Law's International Program Office at lawintl@uwo.ca or 519-661-2111 x83831.