Current Projects 2024-2025

Description: PHSS is an organization focused on supporting individuals with disabilities and complex medical needs and their families. Families of individuals with disabilities often have questions and concerns about the well-being of their child after they are gone.  This project will serve as a public legal education project on issues around wills, trusts, estate, substitute decision makers and POAs to support the families of those living with disabilities.

Organization: PHSS—Medical & Complex Care in Community (https://www.phsscommunity.com/options-for-support/)

Type of Project: Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Disability Law, Wills and Estates 

Number of Students: 3 students

Prerequisites/Assets: Personal interest in/connection to individuals with disabilities is an asset.

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: The PSSO has noticed a trend of individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s not having clarity on their full legal rights, especially regarding healthcare and long-term care homes. As such, this project will focus on researching the rights individuals with Parkinson’s have as it pertains to healthcare

Organization: Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario (https://psso.ca)

Type of Project: Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Healthcare Law, Disability Law

Number of Students: 4-5 students

Prerequisites/Assets: N/A

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: Nokee Kwe, following Indigenous principles and practices, provides free programs and services to all underrepresented groups. The project this year will build upon the work previously completed by the previous pro bono students. Two presentations were created, focussing on the employee side of employment legislation (their rights and obligations) and the employer side (rights and obligations). In building on the deliverables created last school year, the students will shift their efforts to presenting these materials to community organizations and small businesses. Presentation materials will include hard copy and digital resources/information on the legal rights of employers and employees as they pertain to wrongful dismissal, discrimination, and harassment in the Ontario workplace

Organization: Nokee Kwe (http://nokeekwe.ca/)

Type of Project: Public Legal Education

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

Number of students: 3-5 students

Prerequisites/Assets: Employment law/human rights law would be an asset, but it’s not a requirement. Underrepresented students, specifically Indigenous students, are encouraged to participate.

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: In partnership with the Department of Anthropology, the students will create produced content on social media using plain language on the legal rights of those who identify as disabled. In particular, this project will focus on disability and accessibility and at disability law at a glance.

Organization: Western Anthropology Graduate Society (https://www.anthropology.uwo.ca/graduate/WAGS/index.html)

Type of Project: Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Human Rights, Constitutional Law, Disability Law, Employment Law

Number of students: 2-3 students

Prerequisites/Assets: Comfort with filming/being on video would be an asset but accommodations can be made if the student is not comfortable being in the videos. Familiarity with social media platforms as well as experience with software’s used to create infographics/video editing is an asset (i.e. Canva, imovie, etc). Given the nature of the target audience, we welcome applications from those who identify as disabled and/or students who are passionate about reducing injustices for those who are disabled.

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: Information for low-income Seniors regarding extended care when on ODSP, such as allowances for Special Diets, transportation, and mandatory necessity items, etc., and information on how to access these resources are limited. Along with information regarding essential assistance as Home Care is a difficult proposition for those seniors surviving on Low Income. Furthermore, low-income seniors that cannot afford long term care are often left in precarious living situations or even in a state of homelessness. The purpose of this project is to draft a comprehensive manual on how low-income seniors can access extended care resources. 

Organization: LIFE*SPIN (https://www.lifespin.org/)

Type of Project: Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Guardianship. Disabilities, Pensions and Benefits

Number of students: 2 students

Prerequisites/Assets: N/A

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: As a council of autonomous community-based agencies which serve immigrant communities of Ontario, OCASI asserts the rights of all persons to participate fully and equitably in the social, cultural, political and economic life of Ontario. Settlement.org is an online resource facilitated by OCASI that provides newcomers with an electronic community to find information, read relevant news, ask questions, share their experiences with others, and access a database of community organizations. The Settlement.org moderated discussion forum works to answer questions with well-researched legal information. Here we provide information and referral to services in response to questions about immigration, health, housing, and other aspects of the settlement process.

Here are some samples of what we asked the students to review and/or write:

• What is an Invitation to Apply? https://settlement.org/ontario/immigration-citizenship/immigrating-to-ontario/immigration-categories/what-is-an-invitation-to-apply-ita/
• What is Express Entry? https://settlement.org/ontario/immigration-citizenship/immigrating-to-ontario/immigration-categories/what-is-express-entry/
• Can I Sponsor My Adoptive Parents? https://discuss.settlement.org/topic44109-can-isponsor-my-adoptive-parents.aspx

Organization: Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (https://ocasi.org/)

Type of Project: Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Immigration & Refugee Law, Housing (Landlord & Tenant) Law, and Employment & Labour Law

Number of students: 2 students

Prerequisites/Assets: French language skills are an asset. Coursework in immigration law is beneficial. Understanding of submitting final research in plain language is helpful, however OCASI can assist in early weeks if necessary.

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: Students will prepare radio shows to discuss important legal issues or interesting and unique/obscure legal topics that stimulate interest and provide information. The radio show will inform the public by providing various perspectives on a topical legal issue in an accessible way but will not look to provide legal opinions or advice on any subjects. Each episode has to be structured with proper scripts, use simple language, and should be designed to catch the audience’s attention.

Organization: Radio Western (https://radiowestern.ca/)

Type of Project: Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: No specific area of law. Students will pick topics that they are passionate about, or topics that are relevant based on current issues.

Number of students: 3-5 students

Prerequisites/Assets: Students should be passionate about legal education and confident public speakers.

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: Project Consent is a public legal education program that is focused on providing objective legal information to high school students (as well as potentially elementary school students) about consent, sexual assault, and their legal options if they are a victim of these types of crimes. Project Consent was developed by Western Law students in 2019 to help youth understand consent and the legal aspects of consent. Presentation content has received approval from the participating school boards. Participating schools will be notified when the presentations are happening to prepare for potential disclosures, and guidance counsellors and/or social workers are available as needed. Student volunteers are also provided with access to resources and support for mental wellness. Student volunteers will give presentations on consent, sexual assault, and sexting to high schools within the London area as directed by the Project Leads. Student volunteers may also be asked to prepare handouts and other materials for the presentations.

Organization: Community Legal Services (https://law.uwo.ca/legal_clinics/community_legal_services/)

Type of Project: Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Criminal Law

Number of students: 12 students

Prerequisites/Assets: N/A

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: London is in a homelessness and housing crisis. A huge issue currently being faced by the London community are issues and questions relating to housing. This project will explore the legal rights of tenants, areas of research may include evictions under the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), Protection against wrongful evictions under the Residential Tendencies Act, and legal issues regarding Renovictions.

Organization: South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre (https://slnrc.org/)

Type of Project: Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Housing Law

Number of students: 2 students

Prerequisites/Assets: Any experience in tenant law is an asset. Applicants should also be passionate about working with vulnerable populations within the London community.

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: One of the many communities that SLNRC serves is the senior community, and many seniors are unaware about legal issues as they pertain to their rights. Seniors often face legal issues such as Healthcare consent and Advance care planning, home care, elder abuse, pensions and incomes, long term care homes, etc. This project with delve into these legal issues to provide seniors with a plain language resource that explores and answers these legal problems.

Organization: South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre (https://slnrc.org/)

Type of Project: Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Guardianship. Disabilities, Pensions and Benefits

Number of students: 2 students

Prerequisites/Assets: Students who are passionate about Human Rights and project that serve low-income communities are preferred.

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: Youth Opportunities Unlimited believes in the housing first philosophy. As such, this project will be focused on creating a plain language resource (manual) that will serve as a tenant’s book of rights. This manual will explore the rights of tenants as it pertains to transitional housing (non-RTA housing) and RTA housing. Topics of research may include protection from discrimination, a tenant’s right to safe home and controlled rent increases, etc.

Organization: Youth Opportunities Unlimited (https://www.you.ca/)

Type of Project: Public Legal Education

Area(s) of Law: Housing Law

Number of students: 1 student

Prerequisites/Assets: Any experience in tenant law is an asset. Applicants should also be passionate about working with vulnerable populations within the London community.

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: Students will assist the Huron Perth Legal Clinic in conducting legal research on their active cases for residents of Huron and Perth Counties with low income. Some of the topics will include human rights, housing law, and consumer protection law. There may be an opportunity for drafting pleadings or other materials.

The student volunteer will be responsible for conducting reviews of legislation and cases that relate to active cases. The outcome will be a research memorandum for the specific case. Depending on the students experience or progression through the research, the student could also be drafting pleadings and demand letters. The work will be conducted in person at the Huron Perth Legal Clinic, once a week, where the students will have the opportunity to assist with client intake.

Organization: Huron Perth Legal Clinic (https://www.huronperthlegalclinic.ca/)

Type of Project: Research, Client Services

Area(s) of Law: Human Rights, Housing Law, and Consumer Protection Law

Number of students: 1 student

Prerequisites/Assets: Passionate about reducing barriers to justice and supporting the legal cases of people with a low income. Students must be able to travel to Huron Perth Legal Clinic once a week for their set 3–5-hour shift.

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: Students will assist lawyers at NLSLM, draft research memos, conduct client intake over the phone, and assist with legal files depending on the clinic’s needs. The students will be assisting with issues regarding Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Canada Pension Plan, Landlord Tenant law, and employment law. Students will also assist in hearing preparation under the direct supervision of the supervising lawyer, as well as potentially accompany lawyers and clients to hearing. Note: students are not permitted to offer legal advice. Any questions outside of the advice relayed by the supervising lawyer must be directed to the supervising lawyer for follow-up.

Organization: Neighbourhood Legal Services London & Middlesex (https://nlslm.com/)

Type of Project: Research, Client Services

Area(s) of Law: Administrative Law, Social Assistance, Housing Law, Employment and Labour Law

Number of students: 2 students

Prerequisites/Assets: Strong research skills. Experience working in front-line and/or a clinical setting is an asset.

Eligible to Apply: 2L, 3L

Description: S.H.I.F. T has noticed that there has been an increase in community members that do not know their legal rights though their leases, and as a result, end up self-evicting. These individuals are then left in precarious living situations and may be experiencing homelessness. This project will serve as an internal resource for S.H.I.F.T to use to help navigate Housing Law and the Landlord Tenant Rights and Obligations in Ontario to help support individuals who come to them for help. Time permitting, the students will also conduct research on how to navigate the legal system for individuals who are not familiar on legal processes or how to access legal aid.

Organization: Support and Hope for Individuals and Families Today) (https://www.shiftforgood.ca/)

Type of Project: Research

Area(s) of Law: Housing Law

Number of students: 1-2 students

Prerequisites/Assets: Students should be passionate about increasing accessing to justice for marginalized communities. They should be aware of the complex intersectionality of the community members served and the importance of the resource and what it is being created for.

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: The primary project task is to support Empowerment Squared’s Student Navigation Program to perform case specific research. Program participants are primary racialized, newcomer and marginalized individuals in the Greater Hamilton Area. Student volunteers will complete policy research and legal briefs to support their team of advocates and systems navigators. Students will work with advocates and families to support in cases where school administrators and/or staff are not in accordance with stipulated policies and procedures resulting in human rights and/or equity concerns. The main deliverables for the project will be:

• Performing research into educational and human rights law to ensure schools are maintaining their duty of care
• Performing research into legal precedents re: discrimination in the HWDSB, HWCDSB, or other school boards in the GTHA
• Preparing statements of facts to be analyzed and submitted to program Manager & Staff,
• Performing policy research and submitting findings to advocacy team to prepare for school meetings
• Performing research into Area II to support families as they navigate legal systems.

Organization: Empowerment Squared (https://empowermentsquared.org/)

Type of Project: Research

Area(s) of Law: Primarily, Human Rights and Educational law. It is anticipated that some families will have requests for research into other legal areas (family, criminal, housing and immigration are common requests).

Number of students: 1-2 students

Prerequisites/Assets: Lived experience as a newcomer, racialized individual, or experience working with diverse populations are not mandatory but would be considered an asset. Knowledge of the Hamilton Community and resources available in the community is an asset.

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: Students will be asked to conduct legal research and prepare memoranda on various topics by the CCLA’s Program Directors. This may include case briefs, reviews of draft or proposed legislation, policy reviews and research memoranda on fundamental freedoms, police powers, national security, privacy, criminal law reform, and equality. Students may periodically be asked to conduct social science research as well, used to inform CCLA’s advocacy and education work.

Program Areas:

1. Criminal Justice stream - We monitor the legal and policy frameworks that govern policing, the criminal justice process, and our prisons and jails to ensure that our civil liberties and the rights enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are respected.
2. Privacy stream - CCLA seeks to bring a principled and rights-focused approach to assessing and advocating around the impacts of new technology and surveillance wherever rights are at risk.
3. Fundamental Freedoms stream - Fundamental Freedoms allow individuals and groups to express themselves, to believe and practice what they choose, and to exercise their right to vote. Research areas include the freedoms of expression, religion, association, to protest, of the press, and democratic and mobility rights.
4. Equality stream - CCLA’s Equality Program is dedicated to supporting, standing with, and fighting for the rights of individuals and groups who face discrimination, and in particular those who are most marginalized, many of whom experience intersecting forms of discrimination, whose right to full equality has not been realized.

Organization: Canadian Civil Liberties Association (www.ccla.org)

Type of Project: Research

Area(s) of Law: Constitutional law, public law, administrative law, criminal law, human rights law.

Number of students: 1 student

Prerequisites/Assets: CCLA is looking for upper year students who have completed a course on constitutional/public law, and who have expressed an interest in CCLA and/or civil liberties/human rights work.

Eligible to Apply: 2L, 3L

Description: This project aims to assess existing Hamilton legal services in the areas of immigration and refugee law. Methods will include an environmental scan/needs assessment of the current legal landscape as it pertains to immigration and refugee law. Research questions include: What is the demand for services? What is the quality of the private market? (How many lawyers accept legal aid certificates?) What is the role of immigration consultants? How prevalent are complaints, and what is their nature? How prevalent is fraud? Particular focus will be given to refugee claimants (asylum seekers) who are the most vulnerable system users.

Final product will include:

1. A detailed report prepared by the students for Hamilton community partners, and
2. A plain language resource for newcomers that would help them know their legal rights and avoid fraudulent situations/assess whether a person is qualified to provide legal services

Organization: Hamilton Community Legal Clinic (https://hamiltonjustice.ca/en/)

Type of Project: Research

Area(s) of Law: Immigration and refugee law

Number of students: 1-2 students

Prerequisites/Assets: Students who have taken Immigration and refugee law, administrative law and have experience in community development are an asset.

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: Elgin Oxford Legal Clinic works with individuals living on a low income in Elgin and Oxford County as well as Oneida of the Thames, Chippewa of the Thames and Munsee-Delaware First Nations. The student volunteers will be assisting EOLC with their client intake. The files that students will primarily be working on will pertain to Ontario Works appeals, Ontario Disability Support Program appeals, and Canadian Pension Plan disability appeals. Students will not be providing legal advice and will have access to a lawyer at all times during intake if there are any questions that exceed their ability to answer.

Organization: Elgin Oxford Legal Clinic (https://www.eolc.ca)

Type of Project: Client Services  

Area(s) of Law: This project will use various areas of law since this is client intake. Some topics of cases may be sexual harassment in the workplace, Employment Law, Ontario Works, Housing Law, and Canadian Pension Plan – Disability.

Number of students: 2-3 students

Prerequisites/Assets: N/A

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: Students will assist the N’Amerind Friendship Centre’s Gladue Writer with the research component of the Gladue reports for Indigenous clients facing legal issues. A Gladue report is a pre-sentencing and bail hearing report specifically used when considering sentencing an Indigenous person. They are created after meeting with the client, which if permitted, the students will be able to attend with the Gladue writer. Students will also attend Gladue Court and IPC case mgt and bail court to observe and assist under the supervision of the Gladue writer and or the N’Amerind court workers. Students may have the opportunity to write short submissions for bail court and/or assist with the drafting of Gladue Reports under the supervision of the G. Writer. Students may attend sentencings involving Gladue clients and take notes.

Organization: N’Amerind Friendship Centre (http://namerind.on.ca/index.html#about)

Type of Project: Client Services 

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

Number of students: 2 students

Prerequisites/Assets: Courses such as Indigenous law, Human Rights law and Criminal law are an asset. Undergrad in North American history and/or Women’s studies would also be beneficial. While not required, a background of undergraduate education in Indigenous North American History is an asset. Must be passionate about Indigenous experiences. It is preferred that the students are Indigenous, but this is not a requirement. Base-level knowledge of Gladue reporting is an asset. If conditions allow, students are expected to be able to meet with the organization and clients face-to-face.

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: Once a month the students will assist in legal clinics at SWIM for women seeking assistance with filling out court documents, applying for Legal Aid and seeking legal information and resources that may pertain to their circumstances. Client intake sessions will be conducted in-person under the supervision of a lawyer supervisor to ensure that all information provided is legally accurate and that the students are not providing legal advice, but rather are providing legal information to clients. Main areas of law will include (but are not limited to) the Family Law Act., Legal/Custodial Rights, Parental Access, Child and Family Services Act., the Residential Tenancies Act., and the Criminal Code of Canada.

If capacity allows, the students will also have the opportunity to present relevant legal information to clients at SWIM to promote self-advocacy and self-confidence while they navigate the legal process at SWIM’s “Let’s Talk About It” workshops. The lawyer supervisor will ensure that the information that is being presented has been reviewed prior to the student’s presentation dates. Main areas of law will include (but not limited to) Human Rights, Custodial Rights, Access Rights, and other matters relating to the Family Law Act and Child and Family Services Act. Students will be open to presenting on topics requested by SWIM’s clients (ex. Criminal Law).

Organization: Single Woman in Motherhood (https://singlewomeninmotherhood.com/)

Type of Project: Client Services 

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

Number of students: 2-3 students

Prerequisites/Assets: Preference is given to student enrolled in family law or who have taken it. Knowledge of Family Law Act and Tenancies Act will also be an asset. Experience working in front-line and/or clinical settings and experience working with vulnerable populations is an asset. Students should be passionate about working with the clients served at SWIM and have sensitivity in regard to the clients and their circumstances.

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: This project will serve as a Wills preparation assistance for low-income seniors at London Middlesex Community Housing’s senior sites, all based in the City of London. The students will attend in-person client meetings with eligible senior tenants at the senior sites.  At each senior site, the students and lawyer supervisors will complete an initial client consultation which provides information about the services and its eligibility to community members at LMCH. Once eligibility has been assessed, the students, under the supervision of a lawyer, will meet with the eligible tenants one-on-one to draft their Will and POA (typically 6-8 eligible individuals at each site). The final draft will be presented to the client for their review and execution. The Student Volunteer explains the documents and ensures they reflect the Client's testamentary wishes. 

Fall term:

The students will participate in wills and estate planning training facilitated by the lawyer supervisor. After the training is complete the students will prepare presentation materials and finalize/confirm the in-take papers to be used during client meetings with their lawyer supervisor. The students will also work closely with the partner organization to create promotional materials used to advertise these services to senior tenants. The fall term will also be spent collaborating with the organization and lawyer supervisors to confirm meeting dates for the in-person information and client intake sessions.

Winter term:

The winter term will commence the actual in-take portion of the project. All stakeholders will work together in the fall term to create an appropriate timeline (starting in January and ending in March) where the students and lawyer supervisors can provide information sessions at 2-3 senior sites, with follow up client in-take meetings scheduled no later than two weeks after the initial information session. There is a possibility that student services may be offered at more senior sites, but this will be assessed later based on the students and lawyers’ capacities.

Organization: London Middlesex Community Housing (https://lmch.ca/)

Type of Project: Client Services 

Area(s) of Law: Wills and Estates

Number of students: 3-4 students

Prerequisites/Assets: A preference will be given to upper year students who has taken a Wills and Estates course. Preference will be given to students who have a social services background who are familiar with the community being served, the complexities of the tenants and the social issues that are involved.

Eligible to Apply: 1L, 2L, 3L

Description: This project provides students with the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in wrongful conviction advocacy. Throughout the internship students will assist with our casework and/or education work. Casework often involves analyzing case files, reviewing disclosure and transcripts, helping to identify new avenues of investigation, and conducting legal research. Education work can involve assisting with the creation and delivery of curriculum / trainings to a wide variety of audiences ranging academic institutions to the members of the criminal justice system (ie. police), researching major topics within wrongful convictions, and assisting with educational programming. Students will receive a comprehensive orientation during the first month of the externship as well as ongoing professional development and training throughout the year. Continuing professional development/ training will include regular group meetings with our Director of Education where they will learn about different areas within wrongful convictions. These meetings will frequently feature guest speakers within the criminal justice / wrongful conviction realm who will share insights about their career paths. Ongoing mentorship and training will also be provided throughout the internship.

Organization: Innocence Canada (www.innocencecanada.com)

Type of Project: Internship

Area(s) of Law: Criminal Law and Procedure

Number of students: 1 student

Prerequisites/Assets: There is a preference for 2L students that are enrolled in (or intend to enroll in) Criminal law related courses such as Evidence, Crim Pro, etc. It is preferable that students are passionate for wrongful conviction advocacy, have experience in wrongful conviction advocacy, ie. volunteer work, a course, etc. Students should have a strong skill set in the following areas: attention to detail, critical thinking, problem solving, legal research and writing, Reviewing and synthesizing large volumes of information, Taking initiative and working independently, Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a small team environment, Casefile carriage in a legal setting (for example, a clinic or placement).

Eligible to Apply: 2L, 3L