2023 Summer Law Student - Ottawa

AT A GLANCE

Location: Ottawa

Employment Type: Contract Full time (May to August 2023)

Hours: 35 Weekly

Salary: $4,017/month

Posting Date: December 1st, 2022

Closing Date: January 19, 2023

ABOUT US

At Ecojustice, we build a case for a better earth every day! We fight, and win, for our planet in court.

Our Mission is why people join Ecojustice. People who choose to join us recognize that this planet is our most treasured inheritance, and it is our imperative to be good stewards for the generations who follow us. We use the power of the courts to defend what we value most. We believe in protecting the environment while having enough time off to enjoy it. You will find your people here if you are courageous, collaborative, and dedicated to the fight for a healthier environment.

ABOUT THE ROLE

If you are a law student who wants to work for a public interest environmental law firm next summer, then here is an outstanding opportunity for you to join Canada's legal champion for a healthy environment. Ecojustice is now seeking applications for a summer law student to work side-by-side with our top lawyers and scientists from May to August 2023 in our Ottawa office.

It will be a learning experience that you will never forget!  You will have the opportunity to work with people deeply passionate about the environment and social justice, contributing to the challenge and complexity of Ecojustice’s work.

As an Ecojustice summer student, you will assist our professional staff by providing legal assistance on environmental law and policy issues by:

1. Conducting legal, policy, and general research and preparing legal memoranda, primarily in the areas of environmental and administrative law
2. Responding to inquiries from members of the public about environmental law questions and issues
3. Providing general litigation support (assisting in drafting pleadings and submissions, preparing briefs of authorities, etc.)
4. Assisting in researching and writing Ecojustice Canada reports
5. Assisting with requests for information and reviews under the Freedom of Information Act and Access to Information Act
6. Interacting with clients and non-governmental environmental organizations

ROLE SUCCESS

We are working to embed our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation into all aspects of our organization. We value students who have experience (lived, professional, volunteer) in building meaningful, collaborative partnerships with equity-seeking groups, and incorporating JEDI-R values in day-to-day practices and operations.

We are inviting applicants who are:

1. A first-, second-, or third-year law student.
2. Familiar with environmental and administrative law.
3. Possesses excellent research and writing skills.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must be received on or before January 19, 2023 at 5:00pm EST. To apply, please submit the following materials through our Careers page at www.ecojustice.ca/careers:

1. Cover letter and Resume, may be addressed to "Ecojustice Hiring Committee"
2. Law school transcripts
3. A writing sample, preferably a legal research memo from law school or your previous experience, 7-10 pages maximum
4. Three letters of recommendation.

*** These letters can be submitted with your application or, if your reference prefers, sent directly to the hiring team via email at careers@ecojustice.ca (please request them to input your name into the subject line of the email).

For your reference, for this position we will be following the Law Society of Ontario guidelines for recruitment as laid out below:

Application Deadline: January 19, 2023

Scheduling of Interviews: February 2, 2023

Interview week: February 14-17, 2023

Offers start: February 24, 2023 at 8:00am EST

OUR COMMITMENT TO WORKPLACE ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, and INCLUSION

Ecojustice is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from people with relevant technical skills and who come from communities that have been structurally marginalized based on race, religion, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression. Members belonging to communities that experience marginalization have the opportunity to self-identify during the application process.

Ecojustice strives to ensure that our online application system and recruitment process are accessible to individuals with different abilities, and we have various accommodations available if you need one. If at any point during the application and/or recruitment process you require an accommodation, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at careers@ecojustice.ca

GREAT REASONS TO JOIN US

1. Recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 charities (2019, 2020) by Charity Intelligence.
2. A hybrid work environment and flexible work schedule that best suits you and how you work.
3. Additional flexible leave policies that accommodate physical and mental health leave, caregiving responsibilities, volunteering, and other life events.
4. Opportunity to be mentored with amazing lawyers (over 95% of our employees say that they have a great relationship with their managers).