The Osgoode Public Interest Requirement (OPIR) University of Toronto Symposium “Can Legal Ethics Be Taught” April 4, 2008 Janet Leiper Director, Osgoode Public Interest Requirement

The Osgoode Public Interest Requirement A new Graduation Requirement 40 hours of work by Osgoode students which is: Law-related In the Public Interest Uncompensated

Developing a Public Interest Requirement Strategic Plan 2005 Clinical Education Committee 2006 Faculty Council Approval 2006 Implementation 2007

What Does “Public Interest” Mean? Interpreted “broadly” Includes activities which facilitate access to justice Law reform activities Services to organizations or communities to engage with law

What Does “Public Interest” Mean to Law Students? Assisting Marginalized Groups OR Acting in the Broader Collective Good

Fall 2007: The New Curriculum Ethical Lawyering in a Global Community begins Themes: visions of lawyering, access to justice, panel discussions and small group discussion “What Can We Do?”

OPIR: Nuts and Bolts Students register using on-line forms All forms and information are available at the OPIR webpage, link on MyOsgoode In keeping with recommendations to OPIR, paperwork for supervisors has been minimized: a brief survey at the end of the placement and initializing student time sheets

The Role of Faculty Opportunity for Public Interest Work with Enthusiastic Student Involvement Proof: Professor Alan Young Six positions announced: November 20/07 10 days later: 23 first year student applicants, complete with descriptions of aptitudes, ability to manage their time, interest in the project, many with resumes attached

The Role of Faculty (continued) Ambassadors into larger legal community for student placements Idea Generators for student placements Facilitators of Student Discussion Groups

ProgramStudents CLASP15 PBSC13 Student Initiated 7 Faculty1 Private Bar 1 Student Registration in OPIR Programs to Date

What Existing Osgoode Programs Qualify for the OPIR? ProgramType of Work Pro Bono Students Canada Range of work and placements with legal clinics, lawyers, government agencies, NGOs, courts and tribunals Community and Legal Aid Services Program Intake, casework, research in student legal aid clinic Intensive Programs at Osgoode - Aboriginal Lands, Resources & Government - Criminal Law - Immigration Law Research Innocence ProjectResearch and Drafting Poverty Law at ParkdaleCasework, intake, research International Research and PlacementsResearch and Drafting Osgoode Business ClinicCasework, intake, research

Where is Osgoode Developing New Placements? OrganizationNature of Work Pro Bono Law OntarioLitigation support, intake, public legal education, real estate Legal Aid OntarioDuty Counsel Support Court of Appeal for OntarioResearch Ministry of the Attorney GeneralResearch in Legal Branches throughout government Osgoode FacultyResearch and Drafting

Where is Osgoode Developing New Placements? (Continued) OrganizationNature of Work Private Bar: Toronto and Ottawa Research and case work: criminal, civil, intellectual property, family, international human rights Ontario Justice Education Network Research and writing Law Commission of OntarioResearch Ontario Court of JusticeResearch Pay Equity Commission of Ontario Research

Where is Osgoode Developing New Placements? OrganizationNature of Work City of Mississauga: Legal Counsel’s Office Casework support, intake, public legal education Justice for Children and YouthResearch Advocacy Centre for the ElderlyResearch and writing, public legal education

Why are Partners Interested? Temporal Flexibility : placements need not fit into any pre-determined time slot; available year round Spatial Flexibility : research-focused placements mean students may provide service from home/library/school settings OPIR Director : Role of Broker: custom design is possible

The OPIR Committee Established November 2006 Composed of community, student, alumni and faculty members Advisory resource to the program Available to hear appeals from placements found not to qualify for OPIR To date: committee has met in the fall and spring

The Osgoode Public Interest Requirement (OPIR)