Clinical Legal Education: Externship - Aboriginal Legal Services

This part-time, two-semester clinical education program gives students the opportunity to explore legal issues and policy issues concerning Aboriginal access to justice in an empirical, public interest context. The program challenges students to examine justice issues concerning the Aboriginal community in a critical way, while at the same time allowing them to develop the professional and ethical literacy which is essential to the practice of law. 

Aboriginal Legal Services was established on February 21, 1990. ALS was formed following a need for a legal related program for Aboriginal people living in the Greater Toronto Area.  It’s mission is to strengthen the capacity of the Aboriginal community and its citizens to deal with justice issues and provide Aboriginal controlled and culturally based justice alternatives.

We seek a community which deals with justice issues in an assertive, constructive and respectful way. A community which provides support and guidance to its citizens when they need to interact with the justice system. A community involved in developing and implementing justice initiatives and alternatives which are culturally based and community controlled.  

Aboriginal individuals require equitable treatment in the justice system, access to the legal and related resources within the justice system, as well an understanding of the system and their options.  The support required includes advocacy in all areas of the law as well as alternatives which can break the cycles of recidivism and dependency which is all too prevalent.

Students will work with a supervising lawyer who will focus on formal and informal advocacy on behalf of ALS clients. When possible, students will work on test case litigation, including strategy meetings and smaller tasks revolving around factum research and writing.  Student’s work will include research, drafting of memos, and preparation of correspondence and applications.  

How to register for this course:
To register for this course, please send an email to Sara Faherty at sara.faherty@utoronto.ca with a current CV, a short writing sample (e.g. an excerpt from an academic paper) and a statement of interest including the following information:

• Why you wish to enroll in the Aboriginal Legal Services Externship program;
• Your interest or experience in any of the Externship's legal service areas; and
• A list of courses taken in any of our practice areas, social justice, or Aboriginal rights (transcript not necessary).

Students must apply to the externship by the deadline, which is exactly 1 week after the deadline for course selection. ALS will interview students for the available positions. 

Note: Enrollment in this externship is conditional. The Records Office will add the externship to the student's course selection once participation is confirmed by the externship supervising lawyer. In the meantime, students must select sufficient credits for the term/year. Students approved for the externship will have the opportunity to adjust their credits before the add/drop deadline.