2026 2L Summer Law Student - Criminal (Toronto)
About the role
Union: Non-union
Job Number: J0725-0603
Job Title: 2026 2L Summer Law Student - Criminal (Toronto)
Job Type: Summer Student
Contract Duration (months): 4 months
City, Province, Country: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Job Location: Toronto
Job Category: Legal
Posting Date: November 19, 2025
Closing Date: December 3, 2025
Salary: $28.71/Hour
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.
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.
Primary function
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) presents law students with an exceptional opportunity to embark on a diverse and fulfilling career in social justice. LAO is dedicated to the long-term professional development of its lawyers, offering experience in multiple areas of law throughout Ontario, beginning with summer and articling placements.
We are seeking talented law students passionate about a multifaceted, long-term career focused on providing access to justice. Consider joining LAO, where you can positively affect the lives of low-income Ontarians.
Legal Aid Ontario offers a wide range of legal aid services across the province. For more information about LAO and its programs, visit the LAO website at www.legalaid.on.ca.
Home Location: Toronto Courthouse
Secondary & Tertiary Locations: not applicable
Hiring Manager: Manager, Legal Services
Key accountabilities
As a summer student, you will be involved in matters that may include:
- Duty counsel services in criminal court: interview accused, contact and verify sureties, conduct surety interviews, act as intermediary between duty counsel and private counsel or Crowns, facilitate interviews for duty counsel, conduct guilty plea interviews, assist with set-date court, and assisting with weekend and statutory holiday (WASH) court.
Required skills & experience
-
Enrolled in a recognized law school
-
Proven dedication to social justice or public interest work
-
Exceptional written and oral communication abilities
-
Strong interpersonal skills such as active listening, empathy, teamwork, conflict resolution, patience, adaptability, networking and a positive attitude.
-
Familiarity with Legal Aid Ontario's mission and services
-
Ability to work independently, tackle complex issues, build relationships, and collaborate with teams
-
Experience in serving marginalized populations, including racialized communities, youth, and individuals facing mental health or addiction issues, or homelessness
-
French language proficiency is an asset
LAO is pleased to accept applications from students in law schools outside of Ontario as well.
How to apply:
- Application Submission: Apply online at LAO Careers
- Required Documents: cover letter, résumé, law school transcripts (unofficial web-based transcripts or grade listings are acceptable), and 2-3 reference letters related to work, school, or volunteer activities.
- Submission Details: Applications must be submitted through LAO’s online application tool. No other forms of submission will be accepted.
o Address Applications to: Hiring Manager, 20 Dundas St. West, Suite 730 Toronto, ON M5G 2H1
- Multiple Locations: If interested in more than one location, submit a separate application for each and only apply to the positions you are willing to accept.
- Notification: Only candidates selected for an interview will be notified via email
Are you interested in this job?
About Legal Aid Ontario
Our mandate
Legal Aid Ontario has a statutory mandate to promote access to justice throughout Ontario for low-income individuals by means of:
● Providing consistently high quality legal aid services in a cost-effective and efficient manner;
● Encouraging and facilitating flexibility and innovation in the provision of legal aid services;
● Identifying, assessing and recognizing the diverse legal needs of low-income individuals and of disadvantaged communities in Ontario; and
● Providing legal aid services to low-income individuals through a corporation that will operate independently from the Government of Ontario but within a framework of accountability to the Government of Ontario for the expenditure of public funds.
In fulfilling this mandate Legal Aid Ontario is committed to providing services which recognize the importance of diversity, access, equity, creativity and quality.
Our services
LAO services are carefully targeted to meet diverse client needs and make the most efficient use of our resources.
A wide range of services are available through LAO’s toll-free number, including summary legal advice for family and criminal law matters.
We provide duty counsel services - performed by staff and private-sector lawyers - for people who arrive in criminal, family or youth courts without a lawyer.
Poverty law services - such as helping people to obtain or maintain social assistance benefits - are delivered through a network of a number of independent, community-based legal aid clinics, funded by LAO.
LAO also runs a certificate program for the most serious and complex cases. Eligible low-income clients can obtain a certificate which is used to retain a private lawyer.
2026 2L Summer Law Student - Criminal (Toronto)
About the role
Union: Non-union
Job Number: J0725-0603
Job Title: 2026 2L Summer Law Student - Criminal (Toronto)
Job Type: Summer Student
Contract Duration (months): 4 months
City, Province, Country: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Job Location: Toronto
Job Category: Legal
Posting Date: November 19, 2025
Closing Date: December 3, 2025
Salary: $28.71/Hour
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.
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.
Primary function
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) presents law students with an exceptional opportunity to embark on a diverse and fulfilling career in social justice. LAO is dedicated to the long-term professional development of its lawyers, offering experience in multiple areas of law throughout Ontario, beginning with summer and articling placements.
We are seeking talented law students passionate about a multifaceted, long-term career focused on providing access to justice. Consider joining LAO, where you can positively affect the lives of low-income Ontarians.
Legal Aid Ontario offers a wide range of legal aid services across the province. For more information about LAO and its programs, visit the LAO website at www.legalaid.on.ca.
Home Location: Toronto Courthouse
Secondary & Tertiary Locations: not applicable
Hiring Manager: Manager, Legal Services
Key accountabilities
As a summer student, you will be involved in matters that may include:
- Duty counsel services in criminal court: interview accused, contact and verify sureties, conduct surety interviews, act as intermediary between duty counsel and private counsel or Crowns, facilitate interviews for duty counsel, conduct guilty plea interviews, assist with set-date court, and assisting with weekend and statutory holiday (WASH) court.
Required skills & experience
-
Enrolled in a recognized law school
-
Proven dedication to social justice or public interest work
-
Exceptional written and oral communication abilities
-
Strong interpersonal skills such as active listening, empathy, teamwork, conflict resolution, patience, adaptability, networking and a positive attitude.
-
Familiarity with Legal Aid Ontario's mission and services
-
Ability to work independently, tackle complex issues, build relationships, and collaborate with teams
-
Experience in serving marginalized populations, including racialized communities, youth, and individuals facing mental health or addiction issues, or homelessness
-
French language proficiency is an asset
LAO is pleased to accept applications from students in law schools outside of Ontario as well.
How to apply:
- Application Submission: Apply online at LAO Careers
- Required Documents: cover letter, résumé, law school transcripts (unofficial web-based transcripts or grade listings are acceptable), and 2-3 reference letters related to work, school, or volunteer activities.
- Submission Details: Applications must be submitted through LAO’s online application tool. No other forms of submission will be accepted.
o Address Applications to: Hiring Manager, 20 Dundas St. West, Suite 730 Toronto, ON M5G 2H1
- Multiple Locations: If interested in more than one location, submit a separate application for each and only apply to the positions you are willing to accept.
- Notification: Only candidates selected for an interview will be notified via email
Are you interested in this job?
About Legal Aid Ontario
Our mandate
Legal Aid Ontario has a statutory mandate to promote access to justice throughout Ontario for low-income individuals by means of:
● Providing consistently high quality legal aid services in a cost-effective and efficient manner;
● Encouraging and facilitating flexibility and innovation in the provision of legal aid services;
● Identifying, assessing and recognizing the diverse legal needs of low-income individuals and of disadvantaged communities in Ontario; and
● Providing legal aid services to low-income individuals through a corporation that will operate independently from the Government of Ontario but within a framework of accountability to the Government of Ontario for the expenditure of public funds.
In fulfilling this mandate Legal Aid Ontario is committed to providing services which recognize the importance of diversity, access, equity, creativity and quality.
Our services
LAO services are carefully targeted to meet diverse client needs and make the most efficient use of our resources.
A wide range of services are available through LAO’s toll-free number, including summary legal advice for family and criminal law matters.
We provide duty counsel services - performed by staff and private-sector lawyers - for people who arrive in criminal, family or youth courts without a lawyer.
Poverty law services - such as helping people to obtain or maintain social assistance benefits - are delivered through a network of a number of independent, community-based legal aid clinics, funded by LAO.
LAO also runs a certificate program for the most serious and complex cases. Eligible low-income clients can obtain a certificate which is used to retain a private lawyer.