Articling Student - Policy

Company Bio

Legal Aid Ontario employees are committed to making a difference in the lives of our clients.

As an integral partner in the Justice system, working at Legal Aid Ontario is more than just a job. It's an opportunity to help people who need it the most; to ensure each client receives the access to justice afforded to them under the law.

If you are looking for a new challenge in your already meaningful career with a team dedicated to justice, and innovation in a flexible and supportive work environment consider this opportunity below.

Primary function

Are you going to law school so you can work within the fields of social justice or public interest and make a real difference in the lives of those who are the most vulnerable? If so, Legal Aid Ontario (“LAO”) wants to give you that opportunity. Start your career with an articling position with LAO, and see how rewarding a career in public service can be.

LAO invests in and fosters the long-term development of its lawyers – a process that starts with the summering and articling experience. Students are provided with the opportunity to experience different areas of law, giving you a comprehensive articling experience in social justice.

Home location: Toronto (20 Dundas St. W.)

Secondary/tertiary locations: N/A

Compensation: $78,265.25 per annum prorated for 10 months plus benefits.

Area of Search: Students eligible to article in 2027-28

Assignment: 10-month placement, expected start date will be in July 2027

Reporting to: Director, Policy

This position is 100% onsite at the location listed above. The successful candidate(s) must be able to commute to the office(s) and work in person on a full‑time basis.

Key accountabilities

Policy Department

The Policy Department engages in evidence-based and data-driven analysis to help develop programs, policies, and services that are sustainable, aligned with LAO's statutory regime, and responsive to client needs.

Examples of the type of work that our students are exposed to include the following:

• In each area of law, Policy Counsel advise the organization about the delivery of legal aid services. This includes advising the organization about:
• legal needs of low-income Ontarians
• optimal service delivery models
• potential costs or savings by service delivery changes, and
• responding to provincial and federal legislative, regulatory and budget adjustments.
• The Policy Department also manages the Test Case Program. This program provides funding and research support to selected legal cases. It also coordinates partnerships and offers staff lawyer support. The program focuses on cases that raise novel legal issues that have not been previously litigated. These cases are chosen because their outcomes can affect a large number of low-income people, are of serious importance to the advancement of the law, and have the potential to improve access to justice in LAO’s core service areas.
• The Policy Department also manages the Second Chair Program, which coordinates hands on training on certificate cases for junior lawyers, and paid mentorship opportunities for senior lawyers to help attract and retain external service providers.

Required Skills & Experience

• Eligible to article in Ontario
• Strong commitment to social justice or public interest work
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Creative and innovative thinker
• Strong interpersonal skills and good judgment
• Understanding of Legal Aid Ontario’s vision, mission, and values
• Knowledge of LAO’s client communities and experience serving vulnerable populations
• Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams
• Bilingual in English and French is an asset

What do we offer?

At Legal Aid Ontario, we are committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment for our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment and is designed to enhance both professional and personal well-being.

Your health and wellness

Our Health And Wellness Program Includes

• Dental and health benefits
• Basic Life Insurance and Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• An employee assistance program (EAP) that offers professional, confidential counselling services to employees and members of their immediate families. The EAP operates programs that address common life issues such as childcare, smoking, financial difficulty, and more.

Onboarding & training

• We offer a 5-day training led by experienced lawyers who are deeply passionate about social justice for all articling students across Ontario in the provincial office in your first week. The training program typically includes:
• Criminal law and family law training emphasizing interactive, experiential learning, including case studies, role-playing, and soft skill development.
• A courthouse visit allowed articling students to shadow our lawyers and observe them in action.
• Virtual court sessions offered a chance to watch how virtual court operates, followed by guided walkthroughs of the process with our instructors.

Licensing fees

• LAO pays 100% of the Law Society licensing fees including: application fee, barrister licensing examination, solicitor licensing examination, articling program/LPP/IPC fee, call to the bar fee.

Vacation

• Ten days of paid time off during the articling period in accordance with the LSO requirement
• All statutory holidays, and a day of observance for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Remembrance Day and Easter Monday

Your career

LAO supports your career development by offering professional development and networking through several programs, including training to support a positive culture of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB), and lunch and learns to build client service skills.

• Informal Employee Networks for staff with shared identities to connect, support each other and build professional networks
• Law Society of Ontario (LSO) accredited training to support learning and professional development for all employees
• EDIB-focused training

Your future

Employees are eligible to enroll in the defined benefit Public Service Pension Plan which provides financial security during retirement.

How To Apply

• Apply through (only applications submitted through LAO’s online application tool will be accepted).
• A cover letter;
• résumé ;
• law school transcripts (web-based unofficial transcripts or grades listings are acceptable); and
• 2-3 work, school, or volunteer related reference letters.
• Candidates must apply by June 26th at 11:59 PM
• Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified by email or phone
• Virtual interviews will be held from August 10th – 12th
• If you are interested in more than one location, you need to apply to each location/posting and only apply to the positions you are willing to accept.

This position is represented by The Society of United Professionals and the employee will be governed by the provisions of the collective agreement and union dues will be deducted bi-weekly from date of hire.

Final candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal record check.

Please note that all applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address and phone number for communication purposes. Applicants may receive written correspondence regarding this job posting directly to the email address provided on their resume or to the one used to set up their Candidate Profile if applying on Njoyn. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.

First time applying to a position with LAO? You will need to create a profile AND then apply for the position.

Already have an Njoyn account? Just sign in and select "my jobs" to apply.

Once you have successfully applied you will receive a confirmation email.

Trouble applying? For telephone support please call View phone number on canada.jobradars.com or email support: ***email_hidden***.

Equity Statement

Building a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve while promoting a safe culture and work environment that dismantles systemic barriers, welcomes fresh perspectives and embraces differences as a priority is a core value at LAO. LAO encourages applicants from equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis, Black and racialized, as well as persons with disabilities, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

We recognize the value of equity, diversity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and prioritizing, attracting and retaining diverse staff. All interested and eligible people will be considered, with due consideration to all protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process as well as during employment at LAO. Please direct any accommodation requests to our recruitment team.