Clinic Assistance

Partner Organization: Kensington-Bellwoods Community Legal Services (KBCLS)
Project Name: Client Intake
Full Project Description.

Brief Description:
KBCLS is a non-profit community legal clinic funded by Legal Aid Ontario. KBCLS gives people living on a low income in Kensington-Bellwoods neighbourhood free legal services for certain problems.

Students will assist with the intake of clients at KBCLS. Students will be trained on the types of law that callers need information on and KBCLS intake procedures. Students will then provide the callers with legal information, referrals, or gather the information needed to process the intake.

Role of Student Volunteer:
The students will be performing general intake duties under the supervision of KBCLS staff. Staff will be available, in person and remotely, to assist students. 

Mode of Delivery: In-Person
Prerequisites: None; training provided
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 4 (8 total)

Area of Law: Housing, Administrative, Immigration, Social Assistance
Communities Served: Homeless & marginally housed; people living in poverty; people living with disabilities & chronic illnesses

Partner Organization: Muslim Legal Support Centre (MLSC)
Project Name: Client Intake & PLE Assistance
Full Project Description.

Brief Description:
The Muslim Legal Support Centre is a non-profit organization that defends the rights of Muslims in Ontario. Students will assist MLSC by connecting potential clients with lawyers who specialize in their specific area of concern, coordinating their sessions, and maintaining updated case statuses and client data.

Role of Student Volunteer:
Assisting with Legal Clinics: Volunteers will actively participate in legal clinics organized by the MLSC. They will support the smooth functioning of the clinics by helping with administrative tasks, ensuring proper documentation, and providing general assistance to clients and lawyers.

Connecting Potential Clients: Volunteers will engage with potential clients who approach the MLSC seeking legal help. They will listen to their concerns, gather relevant information, and assess the nature of their legal needs. Based on this information, volunteers will connect clients with appropriate lawyers from the MLSC's network. Once clients are connected with lawyers, volunteers will be responsible for coordinating their sessions. This includes scheduling appointments, arranging meeting locations (in-person or virtual), and ensuring both parties are well-informed about the session details. Volunteers may also be given the opportunity to attend client meetings with lawyers, including meeting with MLSC lawyers and other lawyers within MLSC's network. 

Updating Cases and Client Data: Volunteers will maintain accurate and up-to-date records of Client cases. They will track the progress of each case, record any changes or developments, and ensure that client information remains confidential and secure.

Mode of Delivery: Virtual
Prerequisites: Experience in family, immigration, or employment law is an asset
Eligibility: Open to all years; preference for Muslim students or those with lived experiences of race-based discrimination that can appreciate the unique issues Muslim Cients at MLSC face.
Number of Placements: 1-2 (3-4 total)

Area of Law: Family law; immigration law; human rights law; employment law
Communities Served: religious minority communities; immigrants, refugees & newcomers; racialized communities

Partner Organization: HAVEN Toronto
Project Name: Drop-In Legal Assistance
Full Project Description.

Brief Description: 
HAVEN Toronto is a drop-in centre where elder homeless, marginally housed and socially isolated men can feel safe, where they can form and cultivate friendships and become part of a community.

Role of Student Volunteer: Student volunteers will provide legal information during the drop-in. The student will gather any legal questions and will spend the following 1-2 weeks researching the question. The lawyer supervisor will approve the accuracy of the information, and then the student will set up a phone call or in-person meeting with the client to deliver legal information only (likely this will occur on a subsequent drop-in session).  

In addition, student volunteers can deliver one presentation during their volunteer placement on a legal issue to be chosen with the organization/drop-in clients. The student may produce written materials to be distributed to interested individuals who are unable to attend the sessions. If the students have time, they will create brochures or guides for commonly asked legal questions to be distributed at HAVEN.

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid; Regularly scheduled shifts (flexible)
Prerequisites: None; sensitivity working with precariously housed individuals and/or fluency in Mandarin, Tamil or French is considered an asset. 
Eligibility: Open to All Years
Number of Placements: 1 (2 total)

Area of Law: Human Rights law, Criminal Law, Clinic/Poverty Law
Communities Served: Marginally Housed; Seniors; People living with mental health challenges

Partner Organization: All Saints
Project Name: Drop-In Legal Information Clinic
Full Project Description.

Brief Description: All Saints Church – Community Centre is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment while enhancing the well-being of homeless and street-involved individuals. The All Saints’ Drop-in is a safe, non-judgmental place where people can have coffee, rest, use washroom facilities, see a nurse or social worker, eat a hot meal, and access telephone, Wi-Fi, and computer services.

Role of Student Volunteer: Student volunteers will provide legal information during the drop-in and gather any legal questions during their shift. The students will then spend 1-2 weeks researching the question (e.g. working on the streets, how the law differentiates sex work and trafficking, navigating criminal justice system, etc.). The lawyer supervisor will approve the accuracy of the information, and then the student will set up a phone call or in-person meeting with the client to deliver legal information only (likely this will occur on a subsequent drop-in session). 

If needed by All Saints, students will create a plain language resource on a legal issue that is of importance to the drop-in clients. The resource will be approved by the lawyer supervisor before being distributed. An example topic may include informing drop-in clients of how their rights may be affected by recent legislation and applicable resources (ex. Bill 6). 

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid (in-person shifts at the drop-in; remote research)
Prerequisites: None; relevant work and/or volunteer experience working with vulnerable populations is considered an asset
Eligibility: Open to All Years
Number of Placements: 1 (2 total)

Area of Law: Human Rights Law; Clinics/Poverty Law; Criminal Law
Communities Served: marginally housed; domestic violence survivors; racialized communities

Joint Project: University of Toronto (Lead); Lincoln Alexander School of Law

Partner Organization: Willowdale Community Legal Services (WCLS)
Project Name: Immigration Law Placement
Full Project Description.

Brief Description: 
Willowdale is a not-for-profit community-based organization which provides legal services for low-income populations in a geographic area that includes parts of North York. Our services include legal representation, advice, legal education and outreach in areas of law such as housing, immigration/refugee, ODSP/Ontario Works, and more. 

Students are requested to make a two-year commitment to this project, which aims to increase the clinic’s student involvement in the clinic’s case work, PLE and outreach. In recognition of the volunteer nature of the commitment, we acknowledge that this is a request and not a requirement.

Role of Student Volunteer: 

First Year:  

• One student will provide research for case-files or participate in client intake meetings.  

• If needed, the student will work and perform supervised outreach and Public Legal Education (PLE) seminars on topics related to Immigration.  

• Students are encouraged to communicate their interests to WCLS in terms of Immigration, such as research or outreach. 

Second Year:  

• One Student (ideally continuing from first year) will provide research support and/or other file work (i.e. helping fill forms/documents) under the supervision of lawyers.  

• If a student meets with a client to provide information specific to the client’s case, all answers will be scripted by the lawyer who will be on-site. Should any questions arise necessitating follow-up, they will be referred to the supervising lawyer.  

• Students may also have the opportunity to shadow a lawyer representing a client before an administrative tribunal.  

Please see Full Projection Description Form above for more detailed student volunteer tasks and responsibilities.

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid; Project deliverables will be completed remotely; initial training and possible PLEs may be in-person or virtual 
Prerequisites: None; prospective volunteers are requested to make a two-year commitment to the project; the ability to speak Farsi and/or Mandarin is considered an asset but not required
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 1 (2 total)

Area of Law: Immigration & Refugee; Poverty; Constitutional
Communities Served: immigrants, refugees, & newcomers; people living with disabilities & chronic illnesses; racialized communities

Partner Organization: Korean Legal Clinic (KLC)
Project Name: Inquirer Referral Inbox Project 
Full Project Description.

Brief Description: 
The Korean Legal Clinic (“KLC”) was founded by Korean Canadian lawyers in Toronto. The KLC aims to improve access to justice for Korean Canadians by providing culturally and linguistically appropriate legal services, education, and resources. 

High intermediate to fluent Korean proficiency is required. The student volunteer will support day-to-day operations and the Inquirer Referral Project. Due to cultural nuances, it is imperative that the student volunteer identifies as Korean for tasks that require communication with the Korean community. 

Role of Student Volunteer: 
The student will monitor KLC's inbox, send intake questions to inquirers, identify inquiries that fall within KLC's mandate, and identify a Korean lawyer or paralegal in KLC's referral network who could provide a free 30-minute consultation. The student is expected to send weekly summaries to the supervising lawyer who will then confirm next steps. 

Before the end of the term, the student volunteer will review all inquiries received in 2026 and synthesize observations into a summary memo for the Executive Committee and the Board. 

Mode of Delivery: Virtual 
Prerequisites: High intermediate or fluent Korean proficiency is required
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 1

Area of Law: Immigration & Refugee; Family; Small Claims Court; Employment
Communities Served: Racialized communities; immigrants, refugees, & newcomers; self-represented litigants

Partner Organization: WoodGreen Community Services
Project Name: Newcomer Drop-In Legal Information Clinic 
Full Project Description.

Brief Description:
WoodGreen has been meeting the UNMET needs of Toronto residents for over 85 years. As a leading social services agency, we provide integrated programs such as physical and mental health services, affordable housing, settlement and language services to newcomers, employment support, financial counselling, childcare, seniors and youth programs and more.

The Legal Information Clinic provides low-income newcomers with direct legal information assistance. This initiative aims to enhance legal support for immigrants and refugees by streamlining legal application processes.  

The Public Legal Education Project aims to enhance legal support for immigrants and refugees by helping with enhancing capacity of WoodGreen’s Settlement Counsellors and providing direct legal information/education to newcomer clients through workshops and training activities.  

Students will get an orientation and information on WoodGreen’s newcomer wellbeing model and the types of supports that clients need. Students will play a critical role in educating staff and clients on legal information that the newcomer population need.

Please see Full Project Description form above for more detailed information on the project’s tasks and responsibilities.    

Role of Student Volunteer:
Legal information Clinic:  

• Important Note: Students must be mindful of scheduling a time to speak with the supervising lawyers and should not anticipate immediate responses to unscheduled calls. Ensure to be proactive and communicative. 
• Attend bi-weekly clinics to provide clients with legal information and gather legal questions requiring research. Conducting follow-up research and drafting an answer for clients. Obtaining lawyer supervisor approval and communicating answers to clients.  

Legal Education Project:  

• Co-develop and co-facilitate client-facing workshops on topics including:  
  • Preparing Basis of Claim Forms 
  • Work Permit Extensions 
  • Changes to Immigration Policies 
  • Prepare accessible material (e.g., handouts, slides, translated summaries).  
• Assist in Designing and delivering training modules for Settlement Counsellors on:  
  • Legal issue spotting  
  • Referral pathways  
  • Navigating legal documentation  

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid; must attend bi-weeklt clinic as scheduled on Friday mornings (exact time TBD, most likely between 10AM-2PM); research on legal questions and content creation will be completed remotely but may be expected to attend the clinic to facilitate client-facing workshops under the supervision of a lawyer.
Prerequisites: None; experience in a non-profit or immigrant serving organization is an asset; high-level of sensitivity, initiative, and problem-solving is an asset
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 2

Area of Law: Immigration; Refugee; Citizenship Law
Communities Served: Immigrants, refugees & newcomers; racialized communities; self-represented litigants

Partner Organization: Kensington-Bellwoods Community Legal Services (KBCLS)
Project Name: ODSP Disability Appeal Project
Full Project Description.

Brief Description: 
KBCLS is a non-profit community legal clinic funded by Legal Aid Ontario. KBCLS gives people living on a low income in Kensington-Bellwoods neighbourhood free legal services for certain problems.

Students will provide assistance on appeals of Ontario Disability Support Program application denials. Students could also create PLE materials during lulls after filing an internal review or appeal, which entails researching, reviewing, and synthesizing existing KBCLS materials about the ODSP Appeal process. Students may also generate information packages for clients to assist them throughout the process. There might also be an opportunity for students to attend client meetings with KBCLS staff lawyers and provide direct assistance to clients during meetings, under the direct supervision of the lawyer.

Role of Student Volunteer: 
Students will assist with drafting and filing Internal Review requests and appeals to the Social Benefits Tribunal, conducting client interviews, and reviewing case files. Please see Full Project Description for detailed project steps and student responsibilities. 

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid
Prerequisites: None; students will receive training
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 1(2 total)

Area of Law: Administrative law – ODSP Act and Regulations, OW Act and Regulation, Personal Health Information Protection Act, etc.
Communities Served: people living with disabilities & chronic illnesses; people living in poverty; people living with mental health challenges

Partner Organization: Matthew House
Project Name: Refugee Hearing Preparation Program
Full Project Description.

Brief Description: 
The Matthew House Refugee Hearing Preparation Program’s goal is to support individuals prepare for their Refugee Hearing to increase the chances of a successful outcome. The program is run by well trained volunteers many of whom are lawyers and even retired IRB members. These volunteers play the role of “Board Members” and question the claimants based on their actual Basis of Claim (BOC) narrative submitted several weeks earlier. While there is no “counsel” present, a Hearing Supervisor sits in the room during the simulation and serves as a liaison between the volunteer adjudicator and the claimant and facilitates the feedback and interaction.

Role of Student Volunteer: 
Students will observe client mock hearings, liaise with the adjudicator, provide information to clients about the hearing process, and to assist in the expansion of the mock hearing service offered by Matthew House across various Canadian cities. In particular their duties will include: 

• Being the voluntary supervisor at hearings 
• Walking a claimant through the process step by step 
• Providing information about the court process to clients 
• Expanding the project virtually to other cities and what that would involve for students

Students will act as volunteer supervisors at the beginning stages of their placement. Supervisors are asked to observe three sessions before leading a session on their own. Students are expected to transition into volunteer adjudicators for at least one session at the end of their placement. They will be responsible for facilitating the session. 

Mode of Delivery: Virtual, apart from a potential in-person orientation
Prerequisites: Strong communication skills is an asset
Eligibility: Open to all years 
Number of Placements: 2-3 (6-8 total)

Area of Law: Immigration and Refugee Law
Communities Served: Immigrants, refugees, and newcomers; self-represented litigants; linguistic minorities

Partner Organization: Friends of Ruby
Project Name: Trans ID Clinic
Full Project Description.

Brief Description: 
The Trans ID Clinic provides free legal information, form-filling services and referrals in a learning space that strives to be trans-positive, non-judgmental, anti-oppressive and inclusive. Launched in 2017 in Toronto with SKETCH Working Arts and Blakes, the Trans ID Clinic now runs in partnership with other local organizations in Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Windsor, Toronto, and Fredericton. 

PBSC law student volunteers and lawyer supervisors will work collaboratively to assist trans and gender diverse individuals with obtaining new pieces of identification. Initial intake is managed by Friends of Ruby, and all clinic sessions are hosted on pre-approved dates in conjunction with Friends of Ruby and PBSC.

For the 2026-2027 year, the plan is to host co-working sessions where participants can fill in their forms together, with the assistance of lawyer supervisors and student volunteers who will be present during the workshop to assist. The goal of this workshop would be to create community support amongst trans-youth who share the same goal. The centre will also be hosting scheduled appointments both virtually and in-person where clients can work in a more intimate structure (1-on-1 with volunteers). 

Role of Student Volunteer:
After the initial intake is conducted by Friends of Ruby staff, clients will be scheduled for an appointment at the Trans ID Clinic. Student volunteers will meet with clients remotely via Zoom or in-person at Friends of Ruby from a private space on clinic dates. Student volunteers may be assigned between 1-2 clinic(s) and 1 co-working session per month depending on the number of clients booking in each clinic session (this will depend on the number of clients booked in for each clinic session.)

During the meetings, students will assist with filling out gender marker and name change applications for new identification using the Volunteer Training Manual as reference under the supervision of lawyers. 

During “off weeks” when the clinic is not running, students will support the research and the drafting of clinic materials, however this will depend on the needs of the clinic. Any materials containing legal information must be reviewed and approved by a supervising lawyer prior to use by the partner organization. Students will also be charged with doing any research on behalf of Clinic clients, though they will not be expected to do any follow-up which requires direct contact with the clients. 

Additionally, students will also be creating supplementary material and other resources as needed to assist with the Trans ID Clinic (e.g., Annotated documents guiding clients through the Name/Gender Marker Change processes, accessible resources for incarcerated clients seeking Name/Gender Marker Change services, etc.). 

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid, option for in-person or remote client meetings; Students must attend at least one in-person session 
Prerequisites: The following are considered an asset, though not required: Administrative law; human rights law; poverty law; clinical placement experience; fluency in additional languages
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 2

Area of Law: Identification (ID)
Communities Served: Trans and gender diverse individuals; low-income; homeless & marginally housed

Partner Organization: The 519 Community Centre
Project Name: Trans ID Clinic 
Full Project Description.

Brief Description:
The Trans ID Clinic provides free legal information, form-filling services and referrals in a learning space that strives to be trans-positive, non-judgmental, anti-oppressive and inclusive. PBSC law student volunteers and lawyer supervisors work collaboratively to assist trans and gender diverse individuals with obtaining new pieces of identification.

The Trans ID Clinic also hosts a monthly Guided Trans ID Self-Help Program and drop in for non 1:1 clients, community members, and service providers to come and learn how the name change process works, additional self-help resources, and guidance. Starts in October - March (3rd Monday of each month). The Trans ID Clinic also works in conjunction with the 519 Notary Clinic, which operates twice a month starting in October - March (2nd and 4th Mondays of each month) to provide commissioning services for Name Changes and other related applications.

Both programs happen year-round, but students are welcome to participate during times that align with their volunteering hours. 

Role of Student Volunteer: 

Students will meet with clients virtually (Teams or Zoom). There is also the opportunity for students to meet with clients at the 519. During the meeting, they will assist clients to fill in name change and gender marker applications. 

Student volunteers will be expected to meet with the partner organization three times per semester to provide and update and seek guidance as needed. Student volunteers should take the initiative to schedule pre-determined meeting times with the partner organization contact at the outset of their placement. Student volunteers must also fill out an end-of-service/progress report once at the conclusion of each semester to keep the 519 Trans ID Clinic team informed on their work, any issues or follow-ups as needed. 

Students can also participate in the monthly Guided program as well as the bi-monthly Notary Clinics on rotation. Student volunteers will not be expected to volunteer during the month of December, however if they have the interest and availability to do so they will notify the organization contact.

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid
Prerequisites: Experience with administrative law, human rights law, and/or clinic placement is considered an asset but not required.
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 1-2 (6 total)

Area of Law: Administrative law; human rights law
Communities Served: Trans and gender diverse individuals; LGBTQ+; low-income

Partner Organization: HAVEN Toronto
Project Name: Wills Clinic
Full Project Description.

Brief Description: 
HAVEN Toronto is a drop-in centre where elder homeless, marginally housed and socially isolated men can feel safe, where they can form and cultivate friendships and become part of a community.

The Wills Clinic will provide simple wills drafting services for low-income community members who meet the selection criteria. Students may draft wills, powers of attorney for personal care, and powers of attorney for property for eligible clients. Throughout the year, students will work in groups of two or three, with each group supported by a lawyer supervisor. Each group will include students with at least one upper-year project lead. 

The Fall term (October-November 2026) will be used to develop the materials required for the student clinic, including applicant screening forms and client questionaries. This term will also be dedicated to recruiting eligible participants for the Wills Clinic, which will operate during the Winter term. Student volunteers will meet with interested participants at onsite drop-in sessions and will and assist interested individuals with completing applicant screening forms to determine their eligibility. All completed screening forms will be reviewed by the supervising lawyer.

The goal is to conduct drafting and signing appointments during the Winter Term (January-March 2027). If there are any changes to timelines and/or the program, a revised Project Description form will be shared with the PBSC team to reflect the changes. 

Please see Full Project Description for more details on the project, clinic process and role of student volunteers. 

Role of Student Volunteer:

Please see Full Project Description above. 

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid; remote work in Fall; in-person in the Winter for drafting and signing dates (additional drafting and research will be conducted remotely)
Prerequisites: None; prior or current enrollment in Wills and Estate Planning is highly desirable but not required
Eligibility: Open to All Years
Number of Placements: 2 (4 total)

Area of Law: Wills and Estates 
Communities Served: Marginally Housed; Seniors; People living in poverty