This is a joint project between Osgoode Hall, University of Toronto Faculty of Law & Lincoln Alexander School of Law.
Name of Organization: Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
Website of Organization: https://schliferclinic.com/
Organization's Mandate: The Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic offers legal services and representation, trauma-informed counselling and multilingual interpretation to diverse women and gender-diverse people who have experienced violence. We cultivate skills and resilience by fostering safety, dignity and equality and we amplify voices to create individual and collective change.
Project Name: Criminalization of Women
Project Type: Client services (court forms, shadowing, mock hearings, intake, legal clinic, etc.)
Project Delivery: Depends on if the courts decide to be online or in person. If in person, students are expected to attend court in person.
Description of Project: The Criminalization of Women Project was conceived to address the disproportionate impact of the law on women and gender diverse people who identify violence against them (particularly intimate partner abuse and sexual violence), but then find themselves facing criminal and other consequences.
Students will perform regional Court Observations to document regional realities for criminalized survivors in Ontario.
Role of Student Volunteers: The Clinic is looking for volunteer law students to carry out criminal court observations, specifically at courthouses located in Toronto (2201 Finch Ave West), Brampton (7744 Hurontario St), Newmarket (50 Eagle Street W), Oshawa-Durham (150 Bond St E), and Milton (491 Steeles Ave E).
Role of Supervising Lawyer(s): The supervising lawyer will review student work and be available to answer any questions the students may have. The lawyer will also ensure students are attending court observances and check in with them on a biweekly basis.
Type of Law: Criminal Law
Main Project Deliverable: Completing client intake and assistance (e.g. completing client intake, providing client referrals, helping clients with their ID documents, etc.)
Number of Student Placements: 4 for the Toronto location. 2 for the remaining Brampton, Newmarket, Oshawa-Durham, and Milton locations.
Hours per week the student volunteer(s) will be expected to work: 3-5 hours/week
typically in the form of half day or full day observations of the court.
Regular shifts or a flexible schedule: Schedule at the courthouse to be established.
Is there a workspace provided for the student at the Organization: No
Devices and technologies the students will be required to have: Computer, phone, internet, MS word.
Is there an expectation for the student(s) to be bilingual: No, but additional languages are a great asset.
Law School Pre-Requisites: Family law knowledge is preferred, but not necessary. Past work with survivors of violence would be an asset.
Students enrolled in University of Toronto Law School’s Barbra Schlifer Clinical Program and students enrolled in the Osgoode Hall Law School Feminist Advocacy Program are not eligible for this placement.
Other Requirements or Expectations: N/A