This is a joint project between Osgoode Hall Law School, the University of Toronto, and Lincoln Alexander
Project Type: Client Intake and Assistance
Fields of Law: Immigration Law
Positions Available: 1 student
About the Don Valley Community Legal Services (DVCLS)
Don Valley Community Legal Services is a community legal resource centre. The Clinic serves persons of modest income in our catchment area on an individual, case-by-case basis. The Clinic also serves the community generally by providing outreach, legal education and community organizing to agencies, individuals and other groups in our community.
Project Details
DVCLS’ immigration team provides summary advice and legal representation for various immigration problems. The team works with clients from their catchment area, as well as referrals from West Scarborough Community Legal Services. In this project, the law student will be responsible for contacting clients via DVCLS’s Zoom Phone app to record their information and a statement of their legal issue(s). The student will then log this information into DVCLS’ statistical case management program. Students will do research into clients’ issues and files.
The student will shadow the lawyer supervisor, who will emphasize the legal issues and the relevant facts of each case and draw attention to any facts which may be missing. By following case files, students will gain awareness of the available referral resources, relevant forms, etc. Students are not lawyers and are not authorized to provide legal advice.
Role of Student Volunteer(s)
Perform the project responsibilities as described above.
Is A Work Plan Required For This Position?
No.
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.
DVCLS will provide background information on community legal clinics. Students will also gain experience dealing with clients by shadowing the staff person.
How Many Hours Per Week Will the Student Volunteer(s) Be Expected to Volunteer?
3 hours on Friday mornings.
Will The Student(s) Be Expected To Show Up For Regular Shifts Each Week?
Students will be expected to show up for a regular shift each week (Friday morning from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) at DVCLS’s office.
Is Workspace Provided For the Student Volunteer(s)?
N/A
Requirements and Expectations
- Immigration law is helpful, but not required.
- The ability to learn a computer statistical program.