This is a joint project between Osgoode Hall Law School, the University of Toronto, and Lincoln Alexander
Project Type: Public Legal Education (Presentations, workshops, podcasts, brochures, blogs, etc.)
Fields of Law: Libel and Slander Act, Human Rights Code.
Positions Available: 1 student
About the Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC)
Established in 2017, the Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC) is an independent not-for-profit community legal clinic, funded by Legal Aid Ontario, that combats individual and systemic anti-Black racism by providing free legal services, conducting research, developing public legal education materials, and engaging in test case litigation and law reform.
Project Details
What legal issues are related to raising awareness of racism, what are the risks, and when does this bleed into defamation or slander? As this recent lawsuit demonstrates, these questions are very real. Pro bono counsel at Torys LLP has produced a 45-page primer for BLAC addressing the potential risks and liabilities which can arise from engaging in advocacy over social media. This legal memo now needs to be updated and translated into plain language resources for BLAC to share with the wider community.
Role of Student Volunteer(s)
Complete all project responsib
Update the memo: The memo was produced in 2020 and a supplement followed in 2021. The student will review the memo and update it to include any recent/ongoing cases.
Create PLE resources: The student will use Canva and Powtoon to translate the memo into an educational campaign (graphics, videos, plain language documents) which will be shared with the public.
Is A Work Plan Required For This Position?
Yes.
If yes, the student(s) must reach out to the lawyer supervisor, draft a work plan, and submit it by email to the Program Coordinator and the lawyer supervisor by November 1st at the latest. Please note that workplans are required for all legal research and writing projects.
What Type Of Training Will the Organization Provide?
Note: All first year PBSC volunteers and all volunteers working on research projects must also attend a PBSC/Thomson Reuters legal research strategies workshop.
All students will be invited to participate in staff internal training workshops relating to the research topic and other related areas of law.
How Many Hours Per Week Will the Student Volunteer(s) Be Expected to Volunteer?
3-5 hours per week.
Will The Student(s) Be Expected To Show Up For Regular Shifts Each Week?
No regular shifts. Schedule is flexible.
Is Workspace Provided For the Student Volunteer(s)?
Most of this work can be done remotely. However, BLAC does have laptops, desks, and printers that students can use, if needed. We generally are at the office on Thursdays between 9 to 6.
Requirements and Expectations
- Understanding of civil litigation.
- Ability to translate complex legal processes and issues into plain language.
- Background in adult education is an asset.