Pro Bono Students Canada Osgoode Chapter - Student Application 2015-2016
Applications due by Wednesday, September 16, 2015 by 5:00 pm to probono@osgoode.yorku.ca
Please ensure a signed copy of the Student Agreement Form is included with your application
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All applicants must complete the General Application Form (page 1 and 2). On the General Form, applicants should indicate if they are
applying for a regular project or a special project, which have separate application guidelines.
Applicants must submit all required documents for each project they wish to be considered for.
Name
Entering Year
(1L/2L/3L)
Email
Telephone
Number
Cell:
Home:
PROJECTS
We have provided a Project Chart of all PBSC projects for the upcoming year (available at https://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/pro-bonostudents-canada/). Please take note of any mandatory training/ orientation sessions hosted by your prospective organization to ensure
your attendance. Please rank your top three areas of law and top three types of projects below. Keep in mind your other commitments
when ranking the type of project. For example, if you have a part-time job in addition to your studies and your flexibility is limited, a
research-based project that you can complete at home may be best for you. While we try our best to match students according to their
priorities, please note that we cannot guarantee a placement at your top choice given the demand for some projects. We aim to match
as many students as possible in the areas of their interest and skill.
Priority
Area of Law (Family, Criminal, Immigration, Non-profit, IP, Constitutional Law, Animal etc)
1
2
3
Priority
Type of Project (client intake, research, drafting, public legal education, case management etc)
1
2
3
Specific Project(s) of Interest
1
2
3
If you applied to any special project, please specify which one(s) here: ________________________________
SPECIAL PROJECTS
There will be 4 special projects available for 2015/2016. The projects are as follows:
 Family Law Project [30 positions]
 Wills Project [5 positions]
 Tax Law Project [4 positions]
 Pro Bono Students Canada at Law Help Ontario Civil Litigation Project [20 positions]
In the sections that follow, you will find a detailed description of each type of project along with the distinct
application elements, the eligibility requirements and the selection criteria that will be used.
PERSONAL BACKGROUND
We aim to match students with projects based on interest and experience. Please fill out the following section so we can
better match you to a placement. In addition, please submit a current CV to complete your application.
Occasionally, PBSC partner organizations which service equity-seeking communities express a preference for a law student
volunteer who shares the same cultural background as the community the organization serves. If you are interested in
working with a particular community, please state which one in the corresponding section of the chart. PBSC will make
every effort to find you a placement that matches your interests and skills.
Describe interest in
Pro Bono Work
Academic
Background
(Undergrad, grad
school)
Related
Work/Volunteer
Experience
Other Languages
Spoken
Specific Community
Interest
Flexibility/Availability
(Please state if you are
able work on-site at
org’n or if you prefer
off-site projects).
Please note that prior to the start of placements, PBSC volunteers must attend an on campus orientation/ training. Failure to
do so will result in removal from the program.
*Note training is mandatory for ALL PBSC volunteers. Attendance will be taken.
I am available for PBSC Orientation and Training on (choose one date only):
_____Tuesday, September 29: 4:30-5:30 pm in room 1003 (light snacks will be provided) OR
_____ Wednesday, September 30: 1:30-2:30 pm in room 1006 Moot Court (light snacks will be provided)
_____I am available for Westlaw Intensive Legal Writing and Research Training [Date and time TBD]
*Note Westlaw training is mandatory for ALL PBSC volunteers. Attendance will be taken.
If my application is selected and I am assigned to a project, I would like my PBSC placement to count towards my 40
OPIR hours. I will register with OPIR upon confirmation of project.
Completed applications, CVs and Student Agreement Forms must be submitted to
probono@osgoode.yorku.ca by Wednesday, September 16 by 5 pm with "PBSC STUDENT
APPLICATION 2015" in the subject line.
PRIVACY POLICY
Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) respects your privacy. The information on this form is collected and used for the purpose of
administering PBSC, which may include the operation and development of PBSC programs through the National and local offices,
communication with and reporting to stakeholders, and OPIR. PBSC will protect your information in accordance with any and all
applicable privacy legislation. Any questions can be directed to probono@osgoode.yorku.ca
FAMILY LAW PROJECT APPLICATION 2015-2016
Since 1998, law students from the University of Toronto and Osgoode have volunteered in the Toronto family courts through
the Family Law Project as a partnership between Legal Aid Ontario and Pro Bono Students Canada.
The FLP provides students with unparalleled practical experience in family court assisting unrepresented litigants. Students
gain hands-on drafting and client interviewing skills, and exposure to the court system. Students will be supervised by
counsel at the court.
The FLP has recently expanded to 393 University and Newmarket courts. Students can volunteer at 393 University only on
Tuesday or Thursday.
As a FLP Volunteer, you will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Receive initial training and on-going guidance
Gain client interviewing and hands-on document drafting skills
Be exposed to concrete issues faced by unrepresented litigants
Gain a thorough understanding of the family court process
Network with lawyers
Contribute to access to justice
Obtain OPIR hours
The Family Law Project will run from September 28, 2015 until March 31, 2016, with a break from December 1, 2015 to
January 2, 2016.
Mandatory Training Sessions: (Meals will be provided):
1) Friday, September 25th from 12:00 pm -2:00 pm room TBD
2) Saturday September 26th from 9:00 am- 5:00 pm in the Moot Court.
3) Either Tuesday, September 29th from 4:30-5:30 room 1003 OR
a. Wednesday, September 30th from 1:30-2:30 in the Moot Court 1006
Attendance is Mandatory. Attendance will be taken.
Volunteers must be available for one shift per week:
9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. throughout the year.
You may choose a different shift and/or courthouse each term.
Application Deadline: 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. E-mail Application to Vince DeMarco at:
FLP@osgoode.yorku.ca. Note: Students who have taken family law or have family law related experience will be given
priority.
Requirements for the Application:
 Complete attached FLP Application Form (this may include up to a one-page word document for the last
question)
Selection Criteria:
 Family Law related experience
 Courses taken in Family Law
FLP APPLICATION FORM 2015-2016
Name:
Year:
E-mail:
Tel. Number:
Term you are enrolled in Family Law:
Fall 2015
Winter 2016
I’ve already taken it
I don’t plan to take it
Have you volunteered before for the Family Law Project?
No
Yes
When :
Please indicate your availability during the first term (check all applicable times):
Shifts
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Morning (9:00-1:00)
Afternoon (12:30-4:30)
Please rank the court(s) you prefer to attend for your volunteer placement. If you do not wish to be placed at a
particular court, mark an X:
Ontario Court of
Justice –Family
47 Sheppard
Ave E
Ontario Court
of JusticeFamily
311 Jarvis St.
Ontario Court of
Justice
7755 Hurontario
Brampton
Superior Court of
Justice50 Eagle W
Newmarket
Superior Court
of Justice
393 University
Ave.
Note: For the Superior Court at 393 University you must be available Tuesday or Thursday.
Briefly outline below why you are interested in volunteering with the FLP and any relevant family law experience
you have. You may also attach a word document.
WILLS PROJECT
The Wills project is a joint program between PBSC, University of Toronto, Osgoode, Basman Smith LLP, Legal Aid
Ontario and 519 Church Street Community Centre. Students have an opportunity to gain practical experience
drafting wills, power of attorneys, and reporting letters for low-income individuals. They receive public exposure
and assistance delivering services to vulnerable clients. Students participate in client intake meetings and are
responsible for follow up communication. Additionally, students deliver one Public Legal Education workshop per
semester on Wills and Powers of Attorneys.
The program is open to Osgoode’s upper year students in the JD program. Applicants must have a demonstrated
interest in Estate Law, as evidenced by law school coursework, prior post-secondary course of study,
work/volunteer experience etc.
Requirements for the Application:
 Complete General Application Form
 Resume or CV
 Cover Letter
Selection Criteria:
 Demonstrated interest in Estate Law
Application Deadline: 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. E-mail Application to Esther Song at
pbscwillsproject@osgoode.yorku.ca
PBSC AT LAW HELP ONTARIO (CIVIL LITGATION PROJECT)
PBSC at Law Help Ontario (LHO) provides law students with an intensive exposure to the practice of law and
offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in civil litigation.
These centers provide a combination of self-help resources and pro bono duty counsel services on a walk-in
basis.
Duties:


Performing all triage-related work including interviewing clients, assessing client eligibility for
assistance based on PBLO’s policies and procedures, managing expectations respecting wait times,
receiving and filing completed application forms, directing clients to appropriate stream of assistance
and ensuring case disposition forms are completed by volunteer lawyers.
Making referrals to existing legal information and resources (PBLO publications, websites, Legal Aid,
Lawyer Society Referral Service, etc.)
The program is open to Osgoode’s upper year students in the JD program. The ideal candidate for this position is
a person with a strong passion to assist vulnerable clients, many of whom are experiencing referral fatigue and
frustration both with the legal issues they are facing and the complexities of the civil justice system. The Student
Triage Coordinator will assist in the day-to-day operations of Law Help Ontario.
Please note a mandatory training session is scheduled for Wednesday, September 23, 2015 from 12:30-2:30 pm
in room TBD
Requirements for the Application:
 Complete General Application Form and send to tommyleung@osgoode.yorku.ca
 Complete application form on http://www.lawhelpontario.org/lhopbsc/
Please note: this application will be submitted directly to the PBSC coordinator’s email address
Selection Criteria:
 Demonstrated interest in Civil Litigation
TAX ADVOCACY PROJECT
The Pro Bono Students Canada Tax Advocacy Project is a PBSC initiative in partnership with the Toronto Tax
Department of Dentons. Students are selected to advocate on behalf of self-represented litigants before the Tax
Court of Canada. Students will work in three teams of two and be matched to an unrepresented litigant. Students
will gain hands-on experience working on client files, have the opportunity to meet leading lawyers and judges in
the area of tax law and most importantly, the chance to advocate on behalf of individuals who are unable to
afford legal services.
The program is open to Osgoode’s upper year students in the JD program. Applicants must have strong academic
credentials and a demonstrated interest in tax law, as evidenced by law school coursework, prior post-secondary
course of study, work/volunteer experience etc.
Please not a mandatory orientation will be held at Dentons downtown office on October 2, time TBD
Requirements for the Application:
 Complete General Application Form
 Resume or CV
 Cover Letter
Selection Criteria:
 Taxation Law is a pre/co-requisite
 Advocacy Experience (e.g Trial Advocacy course is advantageous)
Application Deadline: 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. E-mail Application to Amy Sujae Lee at
sujaelee@osgoode.yorku.ca