Public Interest Articling Fellowship

Public Interest Articling Fellowship

Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic

For Articling Year: 2027-2028

Location: 489 College St., Suite 503, Toronto

Hiring for ONE Articling Student Position

Deadline for Applications: Friday, June 26, 2026 (5:00 PM) 

 Description of Organization and Areas of Law:

Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic offers trauma-informed legal services and representation, counselling and multilingual interpretation, and drives system transformation to support women and gender diverse people who have experienced violence. Rooted in the foundations of intersectionality, innovation, and a client-centred approach, we foster the skills and resilience of the people we serve and amplify their voices to create individual and collective change. 

The Clinic’s Legal Department provides trauma informed legal advice and representation in the areas of family, immigration/refugee, criminal and administrative law, supportive legal services in family court, public legal education and independent legal advice about legal responses to sexual assault. The Clinic’s legal services are part of a wrap-around service model, assisting with emotional, financial and social stability for clients and their children. The Legal Department also supports the Clinic’s advocacy efforts to bring systemic change and reduce barriers to justice for survivors of gender-based violence. 

Description of Responsibilities:

The successful applicant will be involved in all aspects of the delivery of family and immigration law services, including the provision of summary legal advice (under lawyer’s supervision), management of client files/cases, interviewing clients, preparation of pleadings, legal research and the potential for some representation of clients in proceedings appropriate to the student’s skills and experience.  The student may also assist lawyers with providing legal advice and advocacy services to survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence and support community outreach.  In addition, the student may be involved with legal intake, referrals, and advocacy for clients with Legal Aid and other social services.  The student will work collaboratively with Clinic lawyers in the development of litigation and advocacy strategies and investigation/preparation of client cases.  In addition, there may be opportunities, based on student interest, to engage in law reform initiatives, the delivery of public legal education and also be included in all Clinic-wide activities.  Throughout the placement, the student will receive ongoing supervision, feedback and training.

Salary/Benefits: $64,505 (for the 10-month articling period).  Comprehensive group health plan benefits.  Bar Admission/Licensing Fees.

Application Requirements:

 Application package should include: 

(1) Cover letter and Resume; (2) writing sample (max 3 pages)*; (3) 2 reference letters; (4) law school transcript (original or copy); and (5) anticipated 3rd year courses, if applicable.

*Students may submit any writing sample.  Examples include a legal memo, opinion letter, factum or research paper. If your writing sample is longer than three pages, please provide ONLY a three-page excerpt. Please include an introductory sentence that provides context about the excerpt and the longer document it is excerpted from. Only one sample, up to three pages may be submitted. Additional materials will not be considered.

Letters should be addressed to: Director of Legal Services

Application packages should be submitted through VilawPortal or sent by email to:  hr@schliferclinic.com

Subject line:  2027-28 Articling Application

Please include Cover Letter and Resume in one attachment. Other documents may be included as separate attachments.

Please make best efforts to submit applications at least one week before the June 26 deadline.  As there is historically high interest in the Clinic’s articling position, this will allow us to give sufficient time to review all applications. No phone calls please.

Calls, interviews, and offers will be made in accordance with the Law Society of Ontario Articling Recruitment-Toronto procedures for the current year.

Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes candidates from equity-seeking groups and is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. Please let us know if you require accommodation due to a disability during any aspect of the recruitment process, and we will work with you to address your needs.

This position has been made available through 

The Law Foundation of Ontario Public Interest Articling Fellowship Program