About Clinic Programs and Externships
Clinic programs offer opportunities for students to learn practical skills and problem solve in a supervised environment, provide access to justice, and directly engage with clients and members of the legal profession. In addition, clinical programs offer students an opportunity to develop professional skills such as file management, document drafting, interview techniques, evidence analysis, legal research and writing, and advocating for clients before courts and tribunals. Participating in a clinic is a great way to expand on your professional skills and demonstrate your adaptability to potential employers.
Credits for Clinic Programs and Externships
Successfully completing a clinic or externship fulfills the JD Experiential Learning Requirement.
- Students are limited to 20 credits of clinical and competitive mooting credits (the credits allocated to each clinic are noted below).
- Students are not permitted to take more than two clinical programs in the course of their JD degree.
- If you have been accepted for a clinic or externship, you do not need to self-register for the clinic or externship course or for any pre-requisite/co-requisite course associated with that clinic/externship. Academic Services staff will register accepted students into their clinic/externship course and contact them in advance of registration to save seats in any prerequisite or corequisite courses (if the student has not already taken such courses). When planning for registration of other upper year courses, students should factor in the total number of clinic/externship credits, including any pre-requisite or co-requisite course, to ensure they do not exceed the maximum credit load per term (18 credits) or per Winter Session (34 credits).
- Note for students interested in fall term clinics that have pre-requisites: you must have completed the pre-requisite course prior to the start of the fall term. If the required pre-requisite course is available for summer session 2022, you are required to self register.
Please note that credit will be granted for only one of LAW 488 (Indigenous Community Legal Clinic), LAW 490 (Criminal Clinic), and LAW 491 (LSLAP). You may also want to review the Degree Requirements page.
Please see the Clinic/Externship Handout below for information including credit allocation and prerequisites for each program.
Download Clinic / Externship Handout (PDF)
(Updated FEBRUARY 28, 2023)
CLINIC/EXTERNSHIP APPLICATION INFORMATION
All students that would like to apply to participate in a 2023 summer or 2023-2024 fall/spring or full-year clinic/externship should thoroughly review the information on this page. Questions about the clinic/externship application process can be directed to Barbara Wang, Manager, Student Affairs, or Kaila Mikkelsen, Assistant Dean Students. Appointments with Barbara and Kaila can be directly booked online via Calendly.
ROUND 2 APPLICATIONS FOR 2023-2024: APPLICATIONS CLOSED
All positions have now been filled.
Updated: September 22, 2023
2023-2024 FALL/SPRING, FULL-YEAR CLINICS AND EXTERNSHIPS: CLOSED
Other than those clinics and externships participating in the Round 2 Application Process, all 2023-2024 fall/spring and full year clinics and externships are closed for applications.
Important Dates
- February 28, 2023, 6:00pm – 8:30pm (Virtual) | 2023-2024 Clinic and Externship Information Session / Fair
- March 23, 11:59pm | 2023-2024 Clinic and Externship Application Deadline
- Late-May | 2023-2024 Clinic and Externship Offers Made
Participating Clinics
- Business Law Clinic (6 clinical credits)
- Corporate Counsel Externship (7 clinical credits)
- Criminal Clinic (6 clinical credits)
- Indigenous Community Legal Clinic (15 clinical credits)
- UBC Innocence Project (6 clinical credits)
- International Justice & Human Rights Clinic (12 clinical credits)
- Judicial Externship (15 clinical credits)
- Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (For-Credit) (6 clinical credits)
- Rise Women’s Legal Centre (15 clinical credits)
- W̱SÁNEĆ Law Field Course (15 clinical credits)
How to Apply
If you would like to participate in these clinics for 2023-2024, you must complete the following two actions by 11:59pm, March 23, 2023:
- For each clinic, prepare your application materials in accordance to the applicable program application fact sheet (see Preparing Your Application) and apply online via ACE. All experiential opportunities are labelled “ExL 2023-2024: Clinic Name” on ACE.
- Complete the 2023-2024 Mandatory Experiential Application Online Survey. This survey collects personal information about you, asks you to rank each clinic by your preference, and asks you to confirm whether or not you have completed pre-requisite courses. Complete one survey in one sitting for all clinics; do not complete a survey for each clinic to which you apply and do not complete the survey over multiple sessions as the Survey will log each attempt.
Preparing Your Application
- Pick your Clinic(s) and Check Prerequisite/Corequisite Course Requirements: Consider the clinics to which you would like to apply and your order of preference;
- Review the clinic descriptions below to learn more about the clinic offerings and any prerequisite or corequisite course requirements
- Review the clinic descriptions below to learn more about the clinic offerings and any prerequisite or corequisite course requirements
- Prepare your Application Package: Review the relevant Application Fact Sheets (found in the Clinic Descriptions below) to determine the application materials that are required for each clinic or externship and prepare your materials accordingly;
- If you need to prepare a resume:
- Resumes should be a maximum of two pages
- You may choose to use the same resume for all applications or individual resumes for each application
- Current Allard Law students may consult the Career Services Office webpage for further resources regarding resume writing
- If you need to prepare a cover letter:
- An individual cover letter should be prepared for each clinic/externship to which you are applying. You should not use the same cover letter for all applications
- Cover letters should be a maximum of two pages and tailored to the specific clinic / externship to which you are applying
- If applying to the Criminal Clinic: please ensure your cover letter sets out your preference for Vancouver Defense, Vancouver Crown or Surrey Crown positions and confirms your ability to arrange personal transportation to and from all courthouses and to UBC as may be required
- If applying to the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic: please ensure your cover letter describes the reasons you are particularly interested in working with Indigenous clients and serving the Indigenous community
If applying to Rise Women’s Legal Centre: answer the Rise Student Questionnaire in lieu of a cover letter - If applying to the W̱SÁNEĆ Law Field Course: answer the W̱SÁNEĆ Law Field Course Application form and provide a one-page statement of interest for why you are interested in the externship, in lieu of a cover letter.
- If references are collected:
- confirm the name and contact details for at least two references to include in your response to the 2023 - 2024 Mandatory Experiential Application Online Survey (one work and one academic, ideally)
- confirm the name and contact details for at least two references to include in your response to the 2023 - 2024 Mandatory Experiential Application Online Survey (one work and one academic, ideally)
- if grades are collected:
- Follow the instructions outlined in the relevant application fact sheet to submit your grades
- NOTE: Most clinics do not place much weight on grades but ask for an academic record in order to review your course selection
- If Interviews are held:
- Clinic Directors or staff will get in touch with you directly at the contact information you provide in your application materials
- If you need to prepare a resume:
SUMMER 2023 CLINICS: CLOSED
All Summer 2023 Clinics are now closed for applications.
--
Important Dates
- February 28, 2023, 6:00pm – 8:00pm (Virtual) | 2023-2024 Clinic and Externship Information Session / Fair
- March 13, 2023, 11:59pm | Summer 2023 Clinic Application Deadline *updated March 8
- Late-March, 2023 | Summer 2023 Clinic Offers Made
Participating Clinics
- Indigenous Community Legal Clinic (15 clinical credits)
- Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (For-Credit) (6 credits)
- Rise Women’s Legal Centre (15 credits)
How to Apply
If you would like to participate in these clinics for Summer 2023, you must complete the following two actions by 11:59pm, March 13, 2023:
- For each clinic, prepare your application materials in accordance to the applicable program application fact sheet (see Preparing Your Application) and apply online via ACE. All experiential opportunities are labelled “ExL 2023 Summer: Clinic Name” on ACE.
- Complete the Summer 2023 Mandatory Experiential Application Online Survey. This survey collects personal information about you, asks you to rank each clinic by your preference, and asks you to confirm whether or not you have completed pre-requisite courses. Complete one survey in one sitting for all clinics; do not complete a survey for each clinic to which you apply and do not complete the survey over multiple sessions as the Survey will log each attempt.
Preparing your Application
- Pick your Clinic(s) and Check Prerequisite/Corequisite Course Requirements: Consider the clinics to which you would like to apply and your order of preference;
- Review the clinic descriptions below to learn more about the clinic offerings and any prerequisite or corequisite course requirements
- Review the clinic descriptions below to learn more about the clinic offerings and any prerequisite or corequisite course requirements
- Prepare your Application Package: Review the relevant Application Fact Sheets (found in the Clinic Descriptions below) to determine the application materials that are required for each clinic or externship and prepare your materials accordingly;
- If you need to prepare a resume:
- Resumes should be a maximum of two pages
- You may choose to use the same resume for all applications or individual resumes for each application
- Current Allard Law students may consult the Career Services Office webpage for further resources regarding resume writing
- If you need to prepare a cover letter:
- An individual cover letter should be prepared for each clinic/externship to which you are applying. You should not use the same cover letter for all applications
- Cover letters should be a maximum of two pages and tailored to the specific clinic / externship to which you are applying
- If applying to Rise Women’s Legal Centre: answer the Rise Student Questionnaire in lieu of a cover letter (see form below)
- If applying to the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic: please ensure your cover letter describes the reasons you are particularly interested in working with Indigenous clients and serving the Indigenous community
- If references are collected:
- confirm the name and contact details for at least two references to include in your response to the to the Summer 2023 Mandatory Experiential Application Online Survey (one work and one academic, ideally)
- confirm the name and contact details for at least two references to include in your response to the to the Summer 2023 Mandatory Experiential Application Online Survey (one work and one academic, ideally)
- if grades are collected:
- Follow the instructions outlined in the relevant application fact sheet to submit your grades
- NOTE: Most clinics do not place much weight on grades but ask for an academic record in order to review your course selection.
- If Interviews are held:
- Clinic Directors or staff will get in touch with you directly at the contact information you provide in your application materials.
- If you need to prepare a resume:
Clinic / Externship Opportunities
Business Law Clinic (6 credits)
Upper year students provide supervised, business oriented, legal advice to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations meeting certain eligibility criteria. Students have the opportunity to develop solicitor's practice-based skills and use their substantive understanding of business law in a clinical setting for the benefit of the public.
Availability: Offered in Fall and Spring terms.
Prerequisites: Law 459: Business Organizations.
Application Requirements: 2023-2024 Application Fact Sheet
If you have additional questions about the program, please email Camden Hutchison at hutchison@allard.ubc.ca or Tyson Gratton at tyson.gratton@dlapiper.com.
ĆELÁṈENEȽ: A Field Course in the Re-emergence of W̱SÁNEĆ Law (15 credits)
The W̱SÁNEĆ law field course is a semester long intensive that gives students an opportunity to learn, practice and engage with Indigenous legal traditions while living and participating in the W̱SÁNEĆ community on southern Vancouver Island. Students participating in the course will be provided accommodation for the duration of the semester, at no additional cost.
The course incorporates significant land-based learning opportunities, as well as community projects in which students will directly contribute to the revitalization of W̱SÁNEĆ law in a number of different contexts. The course is offered as a partnership with the University of Victoria and the W̱SÁNEĆ community, and it will grant 15 experiential learning credits to Allard students. There are no pre-requisites for this course, though students should be committed to working and learning in respectful partnership with Indigenous communities.
Availability: Offered in Fall term only.
Prerequisites: None.
Application Requirements:
- 2023-2024 Application Fact Sheet
- Please fill in this application form and provide a statement of interest for why you are interested in the externship and upload it with your application (in lieu of a Cover Letter).
If you have additional questions about the program, please email Robert Clifford at clifford@allard.ubc.ca.
Corporate Counsel Externship (7 credits)
Upper year students are placed in the legal department of a business-oriented organization for one term on a part-time basis. Students have the opportunity to learn directly from experienced corporate counsel in a supportive educational environment and apply concepts learned in the classroom to practical legal and business matters in a particular industry.
Availability: Offered in Fall and Spring terms.
Prerequisites: Law 459: Business Organizations.
Application Requirements: 2023-2024 Application Fact Sheet
If you have additional questions about the program, please email please email Camden Hutchison at hutchison@allard.ubc.ca.
Criminal Clinic (6 credits)
Students work as counsel on a number of criminal files as either defense counsel or Crown counsel. The focus of the students' work is trial preparation, plea negotiations, and conducting trials and sentencing hearings.
Availability: Offered in Spring term only. Students are permitted to enroll in the Innocence Project concurrently with the Criminal Clinic. The Innocence Project and the Criminal Clinic are considered complimentary by their respective clinic directors. Ranking one above the other when selecting clinic preferences will not jeopardize consideration for the other clinic.
Prerequisites: Law 476: Evidence and Law 400: Advanced Criminal Procedure.
Application Requirements:
If you have additional questions about the program, please email Patricia Penaflorida at penaflorida@allard.ubc.ca.
Indigenous Community Legal Clinic (15 credits)
The ICLC serves the Indigenous community, and the work of the students is focused on representing persons in numerous areas of law including criminal charges, civil claims, family law, residential tenancy, wills and access to social assistance. The Clinic has also involved in representing organizations and groups in areas which significantly impact the interest of the Indigenous community.
Availability: Offered in Summer, Fall and Spring Terms. Students selected for the ICLC are not permitted to take other courses during their ICLC term.
Prerequisites: Law 476: Evidence.
Application Requirements:
If you have additional questions about the program, please email Mark Gervin at mark@gervinlaw.com and Salima Samnani at samnani@allard.ubc.ca.
UBC Innocence Project (6 credits)
The UBC Innocence Project accepts applications from persons convicted of serious crimes who have exhausted their appeals and claim they are factually innocent. The work of students at the Project focuses on investigating whether a wrongful conviction may have occurred, investigating and evaluating new evidence, and assisting in making innocence applications to the Department of Justice.
Full-year program. Students are permitted to enroll in the Criminal Clinic concurrently with the Innocence Project. The Innocence Project and the Criminal Clinic are considered complimentary by their respective clinic directors. Ranking one above the other when selecting clinic preferences will not jeopardize consideration for the other clinic.
Availability: Offered as a Full Year clinic.
Prerequisite or Corequisite taken in fall term: Law 476: Evidence.
Corequisite: Law 471.001: Preventing Wrongful Convictions
Application Requirements: 2023-2024 Application Fact Sheet
If you have additional questions about the program, please email Tamara Levy, Q.C. at innocenceproject@allard.ubc.ca.
International Justice & Human Rights Clinic (12 credits)
International Justice & Human Rights Clinic
The International Justice and Human Rights Clinic gives upper-year law students the opportunity to work on pressing human rights and global justice concerns through hands-on work on international cases and projects. Students gain experience applying international human rights law, international criminal law and/or international humanitarian law working on specific cases with a range of international justice organizations, including international criminal courts and tribunals, United Nations human rights bodies, and non-governmental organizations.
Availability: Full-year program.
Prerequisites: None.
Application Requirements: 2023-2024 Application Fact Sheet
If you have additional questions about the program, please email Nicole Barrett at barrett@allard.ubc.ca.
Judicial Externship (15 credits)
Students work for a group of provincial court judges and engage in legal research, memoranda drafting and editing.
Availability: Offered in Fall and Spring terms. Students selected for the Judicial Externship are not permitted to take other courses during their Externship term. Open to third-year students only.
Prerequisites: Law 476: Evidence.
Application Requirements:
If you have additional questions about the program, please email Lisa Martz at martz@allard.ubc.ca
Law Students' Legal Advice Program (LSLAP) (6 credits)
The Law Students Legal Advice Program (LSLAP) is non-profit society run by students at the Allard School of Law. LSLAP's Credit Student program accepts students to provide legal research, representation, and advocacy services to low income residents of the Greater Vancouver region. LSLAP's mandate covers a range of Civil and Criminal matters. This program is open to upper year Allard School of Law students.
Availability: Offered in Summer, and as a full-year program. Exchange students are permitted to enroll in LSLAP.
Prerequisites: None.
Application Requirements:
If you have additional questions about the program, please email Chris Heslinga at civil.sl@lslap.bc.ca.
Rise Women’s Legal Centre (15 credits)
Rise Women’s Legal Centre provides legal advice to clients of low to moderate income who identify as women, with a focus on Family Law matters and practice in related areas of law. Rise welcomes applications from all upper year law students including women, men, trans and gender-diverse individuals who have taken Evidence as a prerequisite course. Students work under the supervision of clinic lawyers to provide representation to individual clients. Rise contributes to addressing the barriers to access to civil justice for women and their children.
Availability: Offered in Summer, Fall and Spring Terms. Students selected for Rise are not permitted to take other courses during their Rise term.
Prerequisites:
- Summer 2023 Positions: Law 476 Evidence
- Fall 2023 Positions (i.e. Term 1): None, but there will be a preference for students who have completed the strongly recommended courses prior to the start of term
- Spring 2024 Positions (i.e. Term 2): Law 476 Evidence
Strongly Recommended:
- Law 359 Family Law (and Law 476 Evidence for students applying for a 2023 Fall term position)
Application Requirements:
- 2023 Summer Application Fact Sheet
- 2023-2024 Application Fact Sheet
- Please fill in this questionnaire and upload it with your application (in lieu of a Cover Letter).
If you have additional questions about the program, please email:
- 2023 Summer Positions: Vandana Sood at vsood@womenslegalcentre.ca.
- 2023-2024 Positions: Elizabeth Cameron at ecameron@womenslegalcentre.ca.
Cultural Competency Resources
Selected Resources
Student clinicians should attempt to be culturally aware and engage with clients in a culturally competent manner. Cultural competency is important when dealing with a range of clients. By participating in a clinical program, students may wish to enhance their learning in this area.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of helpful resources:
- Barkaskas, Patricia and Buhler, Sarah M., Beyond Reconciliation: Decolonizing Clinical Legal Education (June 3, 2017). (2017) 26 Journal of Law and Social Policy 1-20, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3047491
- Pooja Parmar, Reconciliation and Ethical Lawyering: Some Thoughts on Cultural Competence, 2019 97-3 Canadian Bar Review 526, 2019 CanLIIDocs 3803, https://canlii.ca/t/sq81
- Buhler, Sarah M. and Settee, Priscilla and VanStyvendale, Nancy, Teaching and Learning About Justice Through Wahkohtowin (October 3, 2014). (2014) 4 Annual Review of Interdisciplinary Justice Research 182-210. , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3047488
- Hamilton, Neil W. and Maleska, Jeff, Helping Each Law Student Develop Affirmative Evidence of Cross-Cultural Competency (July 29, 2016). 19 St. Mary's Law Review on Race and Social Justice, 2016 (Forthcoming), U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 16-20, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2841472
- CLE Cultural Competency Resources
- Practice Pro Cultural Competence: An Essential Skill in an Increasingly Diverse World
- Guide for Lawyers Working with Indigenous Peoples
- Integrating Cultural Competency into Legal Education and Professional Conduct
- Nova Scotia Barristers' Society: Cultural Competency Resources
- Legal Info: Cultural Competence Videos
- DAL University: Criminal Law and Cultural Competency Webinar
- Nova Scotia Wellness Court Programs: A Cultural Competence Guide