Summer Employment and Group Leader Position 

 

Each year, Community Legal Aid hires approximately 10 law students to work at the Clinic during the summer. Under the supervision of Review Counsel, law students take carriage of files from initial intake to the resolution of the matter. This includes correspondence and negotiation with opposing parties, drafting applications, analysis of disclosure documentation, preparation of legal arguments, client management, and litigation before the Criminal and Provincial Offences Courts, Small Claims Court, and the Landlord and Tenant Board.  

 

Following completion of their summer employment, students are committed to act as group leaders for the following academic year. Group Leaders collaborate with Review Counsel to manage the training and casework supervision of student caseworkers and senior caseworkers. 

 

Qualifications 

 

• Effective oral and written communication skills. 

• Ability to supervise and lead peers. 

• Strong organization and time management skills, ability to analyze legal issues, and exercise good judgment.  

• Interest in social justice, criminal law, litigation practice, and administrative law.

• Effective interpersonal and leadership skills. 

• Strong legal research abilities. 

• Ability to take initiative and work effectively under Review Counsel supervision. 

• Willingness to learn and ability to follow instructions. 

• Experience working with client files and office procedure in a legal office setting. 

 

Responsibilities 

 

• Provide ongoing support and supervision to Caseworkers and Senior Caseworkers. 

• Ensure attendance at all court appearances assigned to the group during the summer and throughout the following academic year when required. 

• Conduct ongoing reviews and bring forward reports for the group files. 

• Advise Review Counsel of any concerns regarding Caseworkers’ and Senior Caseworkers’ participation and performance of assigned files and responsibilities. 

• Facilitate weekly case conferencing sessions with your group and identify gaps in knowledge.  

• Perform Caseworker and Senior Caseworker responsibilities as required Perform assigned tasks within the Group Leader position. 

• Responsible for file management and court appearances in the time in between the end and start of each academic term. 

• Attend monthly Group Leader meetings.