About FLP Summer Employment
Family Law Project Summer Students are hired to continue the work of Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) students who volunteer with the Family Law Project during the school year. PBSC’s Family Law Project (FLP) is an award-winning initiative that provides legal assistance to low-income clients in a high priority area of law. Utilizing law students to support and enhance the work of LAO staff, duty counsel and advice lawyers, the program provides unrepresented litigants with legal assistance at courthouses in the GTA, and provides law students from the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall Law School who have taken or are taking a course in family law with the opportunity develop critical legal skills while learning about the court process, the practice of family law and legal aid lawyering. The FLP launched in Ontario in 1998.
Under the direct supervision of LAO duty counsel and advice lawyers, students assist unrepresented clients draft court documents and navigate the system, and provide legal information. This position provides excellent experience in legal drafting, advocacy and client interviewing, along with unparalleled exposure to family litigation and civil procedure.
In past years, this opportunity has been made available through the generosity of Legal Aid Ontario.
Job Opportunities
PBSC hires two Family Law Project (FLP) Coordinators, one at Osgoode and one at U of T, to work full-time at the Family Law courts in the GTA from the beginning of May until the end of August, and part-time during the school-year (September-April) to recruit and train Toronto students, and manage the Toronto FLP.
PBSC also hires an Ontario Family Law Project Coordinator to work three days per week exclusively on ex parte and short notice motions and other files as needed at the North York Court, and two days per week at the PBSC National Office providing general oversight and coordination for the FLP summer program across Ontario, including the GTA, London and Kingston. This student will continue working part-time during September, October and November only.
PBSC also hires three Family Law Project Summer Students to work full-time from May until the end of August on a rotation through the Family Law Courts in the GTA, and part-time during September and October only.
Click here for detailed job descriptions of the positions offered (PDF).
Who Can Apply
The FLP positions are open to upper year students. Family Law is not a prerequisite for any of the above positions, but it is an asset. Current or former FLP volunteers are strongly encouraged to apply for all of these positions. Ideal applicants are personable, flexible and resourceful and have strong leadership, communication, administrative and time management skills. As well, they should be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.
The selection committee will take into account:
- the applicant's demonstrated commitment to pro bono and public interest law and family law; and
- the merit of the application
How to Apply
At the University of Toronto, hiring for the Family Law Summer Student positions is done during the Faculty OCI process. You will be required to provide:
- An up-to-date résumé;
- A cover letter describing your interest in the program; and
- Three references.
For more information contact PBSC at 416-946-0143 or by email at flp.toronto@probonostudents.ca
