DLS Caseworker“I’ve learnt more from you than from all of my classes—about the law, about practice, about the profession and my place in it. I have gained a confidence that I couldn’t have found anywhere else, and I’m sure that I will owe much of my future success to the things I learned from you.”
Credit Program
Students can enrol DLS credit program either part-time (a full-year, 8 credit course) or full-time (a single term, 15 credit course) as a caseworker in any one of our seven divisions. During their time as credit students, they learn about the social and economic context of the clinic’s clients, the legal aid landscape, substantive law and legal process for their division, and professional skills and ethics, such as client counselling, negotiating and trial advocacy- all while providing vital legal services to under-served people and communities.
DLS Caseworker“I loved my DLS experience and learned so much in a way that I never could have in the classroom. From the court appearance to the ride-along, my law school experience would have been incomplete without it.”
Volunteer Program
Students in all years of study are eligible to participate in the Volunteer Program.
All DLS volunteers participate in weekly phone screening shifts under the supervision of experienced upper year DLS caseworkers. Volunteers who have attended the required additional training are also eligible to participate in the Community Outreach Program and to get involved in casework.
Former DLS caseworker, one year after graduation.“Thanks for providing me with such a great opportunity and amazing support to make a difference. This level of fulfillment seems to be, so far, unmatched in corporate law.”
Summer Employment Program
Every summer, DLS hires a number of students to work at the clinic full-time for the summer term (16 weeks). Summer students work on case files, attend satellite clinics, present public legal education workshops and assist with various administrative tasks at the clinic. Extensive training is provided, and both first year and second year students are eligible to apply. Summer caseworkers are required to act as division leaders until graduation, and to take a DLS clinical course in the academic year following the summer.Previous participation at DLS is an asset, but not required.
DLS participates in the Faculty’s Unified Public Interest Summer Hiring Process. Deadlines for this process are set by the Faculty’s CDO office and advertised extensively over the Fall term.
Students who have been awarded outside fellowships may chose to apply them to a full-time summer internship in the division of their choice at Downtown Legal Services, subject to available space and the discretion of the supervising lawyer. Fellowship students who wish to consider a summer at Downtown Legal Services should contact us no later than the end of January.
