Project Type: Legal Research and Writing
Fields of Law: Criminal Law
Positions Available: 1 student
About Jessyca Greenwood
This is a defence advocacy firm, the placement is supervised by Jessyca Greenwood. She is an experienced trial lawyer with a passion for client-centered advocacy and crisis management. She has conducted hundreds of trials and hearings and has appeared at all levels of Court in Ontario. She regularly advises victims, witnesses, and subjects facing a wide array of regulatory and criminal allegations and acts as Amicus Curiae.
Jessyca’s niche practice includes advising on the intersection between the workplace and criminal law, particularly in workplace investigations that require police involvement. She has represented clients on a variety of criminal, employment, and human rights matters, and regularly conducts workplace investigations. She has a focus on mental health, accessibility, and employer policies that support inclusivity and wellness. The student would work on pro bono projects and research projects to further the firm’s goals and objectives.
Project Details
The project’s goal is to provide low-income pro bono clients with access to justice services. The project mainly services vulnerable individuals facing criminal charges or addressing other matters affecting their personal liberty. Clients being served by the project are referred by various social justice organizations such as the St. Michael’s Catch Team, the Duty Counsel offices throughout the province (mainly Toronto Region), and clients of well-known former lawyers with a reputation for assisting on mental health cases.
The project involves work entirely on legal aid or pro bono files which are almost exclusively criminal law files related to mental health. The objective of this project is to research and assess legal outcomes for remote proceedings at the Ontario Review Board. The project will involve investigating and summarizing decisions coming out of these hearings into a memo for the supervising lawyer. This project also involves researching into the following topics:
- Whether or not tribunals can compel individuals to have remote hearings.
- Access to justice challenges for vulnerable populations with a focus on those living with mental health challenges.
There is also an opportunity to observe remote hearings. Jessyca Greenwood also occasionally assists at administrative tribunals, such as the Parole Board, and various Review Boards.
Role of Student Volunteer(s)
Students will conduct legal research on assigned areas of law and caselaw to assist the supervising lawyer and their clients. This information will be summarized into a memo.
Students will also be involved in case management from an administrative perspective and may be asked to perform some preliminary client intake, as well as disclosure review. However, administrative tasks will not consist of more than 10% of the students work. Additionally, client intake will only be completed for pro bono files. As a student’s comfort and familiarity grows, the firm may invite the student to observe Ms. Greenwood in court. This will be subject to the comfort level of the student volunteer and the decision of the lawyer supervisor.
Is A Work Plan Required For This Position?
Yes, the Supervising Lawyer and student will meet at the beginning of the term to discuss appropriate deadlines and workload.
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.
Students will receive a virtual orientation during their first week on procedures, the clients they serve, and the type of work they will be doing. They will be trained on the protocol and how to communicate with boards and tribunals. Students will also be provided with templates and training on legal research (i.e. type of precedents to look for).
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?
Clinic note-taking and court accompaniments will be at set times during the workday. Legal research and resource development can be done on the Flexible, as all work will be done remotely, however, student is expected to meet the deadlines set together at the beginning of the term.
Is Workspace Provided For the Student Volunteer(s)?
No.
Requirements and Expectations
Criminal law courses are an asset.
Preference for students with a strong interest in mental health law and criminal law. Criminal law experience is preferred, especially defence work.
Applicants who have worked or will be working for the Crown during the academic year should not apply as there is a conflict of interest. Applicants should also refrain from applying if they have accepted a position with the Crown’s office.