Legal Aid Alberta is seeking to fill two Full-Time Temporary (4 months), Indigenous Summer Student role in our Edmonton office and one Full-Time Temporary (4 months) student in our Calgary office. This position will appeal to an individual that is looking to gain relevant and hands-on experience in criminal and family law.

Who We Are

We are Legal Aid Alberta. We believe in an Alberta where everyone is able to understand and protect their legal rights. As a publicly funded, non-profit organization, we provide affordable legal services in family law, domestic violence, child welfare, immigration, and youth and adult criminal defense. We are Alberta-wide: Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Siksika Nation, and Wetaskiwin. We work together to serve Albertans, protecting their rights and ensuring a fair legal process. Since 2020, Legal Aid Alberta has participated in the Law Society of Alberta’s Indigenous Summer Student Program (ISSP)

Who You Are

Working at Legal Aid Alberta means you care about people and empathize with their situations. You have excellent communication skills, especially in tough situations. You are a quick thinker, able to provide sound advice, and thrive in a fast-paced work environment. You have effective communication and interpersonal skills as well as enjoy learning new things and can adapt to change quickly.

Job Description

Reporting to the Supervising Lawyer, some of the key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide assistance to staff lawyers on client files to professional standards and in accordance with the Rules and Code of Conduct of the Law Society of Alberta and the Rules of LAA.
• Observe and assist in interviews with Clients, Lawyers, and Justice Navigators.
• Assist Duty Counsel — Adult and Youth (Including Siksika, Tsuu T'ina, Calgary Indigenous Court, Mental Health Court and Drug Treatment Court).
• Observe and assist EPO Duty Counsel with applications in Court of Justice.
• Speak to routine matters in docket.
• Review office processes and procedures specific to each practice area.
• Assist with memos, opinions, review of disclosure, and legal research for trials and hearings.
• Shadow and participate in the Bail Duty Counsel program.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Completion of first (1L) or second year (2L) of Law School
• Experience working with Student Legal Services or Student Legal Assistance an asset
• Experience working with complex clients and/or a vulnerable population an asset

Knowledge and Skills:

• Law school level knowledge of criminal and family law.
• Law School level legal research, writing and drafting, legal analysis, application of law to relevant facts.
• Problem solving and conflict resolution.
• A high level of comfort working with technology and a keen enthusiasm for learning new systems including computer literacy of MS Office and web based legal research tools and other web-based resources.
• Knowledge of resources available in local areas for complex clients
• Demonstrated time management and ability to deal with conflicting priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to manage work in high pressure and high conflict situations.
• Ability to investigate facts, identify issues, consider alternative solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively when working with complex clients.

How to Apply

Indigenous students wishing to apply must contact the Law Society of Alberta to register for this program and complete the ISSP Student Registration Form. LAA will be accepting both 1L and 2L Students to fill the 2 Edmonton positions and 1 Calgary position for summer 2026.

Below are the links:
ISSP 1L Employer Listing & ISSP 2L Employer Listing.

Any questions about the Law Society ISSP program email Indigenous@lawsociety.ab.ca

This competition will remain open until February 6, 2026. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Requirements

The successful candidate will be required to provide an acceptable criminal record check.