Welcome to the Law in Action Within Schools (LAWS) Program's 2nd annual newsletter. Read on for updates about our unique 3-year academic program aimed at high school students who are interested in the law, but face barriers to achieving their academic goals. LAWS is a key part of the Faculty of Law's and Toronto District School Board's efforts to make legal education accessible to talented students from a broad diversity of backgrounds.

Class of 2008: LAWS' first cohort graduates from Central Technical School

Graduating LAWS high school student Adam Holmes receives his LAWS diploma from Rick Tarasuk, Principal at Central Technical School

On Friday June 6th, 2008, the Faculty of Law hosted a special ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the LAWS' first graduating class of grade 12 students.

As an audience of over 200 classmates, teachers, guidance counselors, principals, and family members cheered them on, 25 students proudly made their way to the podium to receive their LAWS diplomas.

"As the first class to complete our 3-year law-themed academic program, these students are real trailblazers", remarked Alexis Archbold, LAWS Director. "We are very proud and excited that so many students in this class will continue to pursue their interest in the law by attending university in September".

Over two-thirds of the graduating class will start undergraduate programs at York University or the University of Toronto this fall.

"The LAWS Program changed my life", observed student Casey-Anne Bradfield in a speech she made at the ceremony. "I never thought I could go to university to study criminology. I am one step closer to achieving my dream to become a Crown Attorney".

LAWS poised to grow in 2008

Due the success of the program's first 3-year (2005-08) pilot phase, LAWS has received funding to continue programming for another 3-year term (2008-11). The Faculty of Law will continue to work with Central Technical School and Harbord Collegiate Institute, and starting in September 2008 will expand to the students of Monarch Park Collegiate (MPC). Located near Coxwell and Danforth in Toronto's east end, MPC serves a vibrant community with a large number of lower-income and immigrant residents. LAWS has also received funding to pilot new law-themed educational programs aimed at Aboriginal youth and Newcomer youth.

LAWS is funded by The Law Foundation of Ontario and Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and receives substantial in-kind support from the Faculty of Law, the Toronto District School Board, and members of the legal profession.

Blake Cassels and Graydon LLP partners with LAWS to mentor youth.

Grade 11 LAWS students Nethmi Handapangoda and Jennifer Dang spend time with Blakes mentor Richard Turner

This year, LAWS partnered with Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP to help LAWS high school students develop positive connections with legal professionals. Blakes lawyers were paired with LAWS students to discuss goal setting, accessing post-secondary education, and social networking. Mentors and mentees met several times throughout the year at the firm and kept in touch by email and telephone.

"Most of our LAWS high school students don't know many adult professionals" says Alexis Archbold, LAWS Director. "The LAWS-Blakes Mentoring Program provides a supportive and fun opportunity for students to explore their interest in the law and spend time in a professional workplace with positive role models. We hope that our students will become increasingly comfortable in a law firm setting, and maybe even imagine themselves working here in the future."

During the 2007-8 pilot year, 26 lawyers and 25 students participated in the LAWS-Blakes Mentoring Program. Due to its success, the program is scheduled to expand at Blakes during 2008-9.

LAWS Summer Job Program puts youth to work at law-related workplaces

Jennifer is one of sixty-four grade 10, 11, and 12 LAWS students who joined the legal profession, if temporarily, this summer. The LAWS Summer Job Program places participating students in paid summer jobs with law firms, government legal branches, corporate legal departments, legal aid clinics and public interest organizations.

Students benefit from their four weeks of employment by learning office skills, spending time with positive role models, and observing the legal system in action. Since starting in 2006, the Summer Job Program has almost tripled the number of available placements.

LAWS is currently recruiting employers willing to offer 4-week paid positions during July and August 2009. Please call 416-978-5841 to sign up your workplace to participate.

For a detailed description of the LAWS Summer Job Program, please click here (Word document).

Grade 10 LAWS students employed in the legal department at the City of Toronto meet Mayor David Miller (class of '84)

Faculty of Law and New College launch new summer program for youth

YSP students learn legal skills through a mock trial exercise

High school students from across Canada and around the world came to the Faculty of Law in July for the LAWS Program's first-ever Youth Summer Program (YSP), a fee-based residential program offered in partnership with New College. During each of the three week-long sessions, students were treated to an intensive introduction to criminal law, and immersed in a realistic and complex simulation of a criminal proceeding that culminated in a mock trial every Friday.

In addition to the workshops on core legal concepts offered by law students, the YSP participants benefitted greatly from the contributions of members of the legal community. Practicing lawyers and professors gave engaging and interactive presentations on topics such as The Detention of Omar Khadr, Wrongful Convictions, and The Youth Criminal Justice System. They also received advice for their mock trials from Crown and defence attorneys. The students enjoyed two trips each week: one to the Ontario Court of Justice at Old City Hall, and another to a downtown law firm.

The YSP will return in an expanded form next year, and in years to come will provide an independent funding source for LAWS. For more information about the YSP, please click here.

LAWS says hello and goodbye

Starting in September 2008, Alexis Archbold, LAWS Director, will step into the role of Acting Assistant Dean, Students at the Faculty of Law during a one-year leave of absence. She is very pleased to announce that Greg Sitch, a former lawyer and teacher at Oakwood Collegiate, has been hired as the Acting LAWS Director. Greg's first day at the Faculty is Tuesday August 26th and can be reached at directorlaws.law@utoronto.ca or 416-978-5841.

It was with mixed feelings that the LAWS team said farewell to four key staff members this year:

• Candy Burstein, Guidance Counsellor at Central Tech, has retired after a wonderful career serving students at a number of Toronto high schools;
• Barb Nixon, LAWS Science teacher and Curriculum Leader at Central Tech is embarking on a 2-year secondment to OISE to teach pre-service teachers;
• Shirley Sue, Guidance Counsellor at Harbord Collegiate Institute, has moved on to a wonderful opportunity at the TDSB; and
• MaryJane McNamara, former Principal at Harbord Collegiate Institute, also moved on to a new and exciting role at the TDSB.

We are very grateful for their wonderful contributions to LAWS and wish them well.