WORK WITH US

Are you interested in working in the public interest to defend, promote and protect fundamental rights and freedoms for all of us in Canada? If so, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) has an opportunity for you to start your career with an articling position in the public interest legal sector.

Who are we?

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is an independent, national human rights and fundamental freedoms organization. We have been fighting for these rights and freedoms since 1964. CCLA intervenes in Canadian courts, testifies before legislatures, advocates through all media, and engages in activism, education, and outreach across the country for privacy, dignity, equality, and fundamental freedoms for all people in Canada.  We work to actively fight against injustice, such as racial profiling by police, privacy invasions by government, prolonged solitary confinement, abortion access restrictions, unfairness in the criminal system, and restrictions on freedom of expression. CCLA has developed a unique model of advocacy that supports five core activities: monitoring, litigation, research, public education, and civic engagement. Currently, CCLA’s work is focused on the following thematic areas: Fundamental Freedoms, Criminal Justice, Equality, Privacy and Education.

Learn more about CCLA’s work at: www.ccla.org

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

CCLA is an equal opportunity organization and is committed to taking proactive steps to provide and create opportunities for historically marginalized groups. We seek applicants who will strengthen our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, individuals with disabilities, and other members of marginalized communities to apply. If you feel comfortable, please indicate in your application materials if you self-identify as a member of an equity-seeking group.

We also encourage students with expansive life and work experience and internationally trained lawyers who are assessed by the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) and are eligible for an articling position to apply.

Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process as well as during employment at CCLA. Please direct any accommodation requests in the recruitment process to articling@ccla.org.

What do we need?

We are seeking a talented, dynamic, reliable, well-organized and self-motivated law student eligible to be registered in the Law Society of Ontario’s Licensing Process and eligible to commence articling in the 2025-2026 Licensing Cycle with the Law Society of Ontario who has demonstrated interest in public interest law. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of civil liberties issues, and commitment to the advancement of human rights and fundamental freedoms through litigation, law reform and public legal education and engagement. Personal or professional experience working with non-governmental organizations is an asset.

What skills you will bring:

• Strong legal research and writing skills, statutory analysis skills and computer literacy are essential.
• Knowledge of legal research materials, including legal web resources, and the ability to locate updated statutes and regulations is essential.
• Strong time management, organizational and analytical skills are essential.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated and able to work well with others.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks is essential.
• Ability to communicate and write professionally in French is considered an asset.

What you will do:

Under the direction and supervision of the organization’s Advocacy Program Directors

• Legal Research: the articling student will be responsible for conducting legal and academic research on various civil liberties issues. Research will be legal, but will also focus on current issues, governmental and public policy, and social sciences.  The articling student will also research legislation and government action for potential law reform, and research cases for potential litigation.
• Legal Writing and Drafting: the articling student will draft legal memos on the above, assist in developing policy and strategy for the organization, assist in drafting policy positions for cases and interventions, and assist in drafting position papers and briefs for parliamentary committees and other government bodies.
• Attending Court: CCLA generally engages outside counsel for litigation purposes, so the articling student may have the opportunity to observe a few hearings and interventions but will not likely have opportunities to appear in court on the CCLA’s behalf. Efforts will be made to engage the articling student in strategy meetings with external pro bono counsel and provide meaningful mentorship opportunities.
• Point of Contact with Public Engagement: the articling student will also field correspondence from the public seeking assistance from the CCLA and help manage student legal volunteers.
• Public Legal Education and Outreach: the articling student will be actively involved in CCLA’s education program by conducting civil liberties workshops at elementary and high schools, and other public events. Student will also be invited to attend stakeholder consultations and engagement meetings with other civil society organizations.

Compensation and Benefits:

$63,240 salary for a full-time 10-month contract, plus enrolment in group benefits plan, which include health and dental benefits, and reimbursement of LSO licensing process fees.

Location:

This position is based out of our office in midtown Toronto, on the traditional territories of many Indigenous nations, including the current treaty holders the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishanabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat Nations.

CCLA is currently operating in a hybrid work environment, the successful candidate will be expected to be working three days a week in the office, with reasonable accommodations provided as necessary.

A computer will be loaned for the duration of the articling placement and accounts on necessary platforms will be provided.

How to Apply:

Please address your application to Harini Sivalingam, and send cover letter, resume, law school transcripts (copy of official transcript, plus a grading key/legend from your law school) and references (minimum 1 reference letter, maximum 2) as one attachment, via the viLawPortal. 

Please send your application by June 28, 2024 at 5pm EDT and refer to “2025/26 Articling” in the subject line.

Applicants selected for an interview may be asked to submit a writing sample, but these will not be reviewed if submitted with your application.

Hiring Process and Recruitment Timeline:

CCLA’s articling recruitment process follows the Law Society of Ontario’s 2025/2025 Articling Recruitment Procedures for employers located in Toronto.

• Application Deadline is June 28, 2024 at 5pm EDT.
• Interview dates and times will be communicated after 8am EDT on July 19, 2024.
• Interviews will be conducted between 8am EDT on August 12, 2024, and 3pm EDT on August 14, 2024.
• An offer will be made after 5pm EDT on August 14, 2024. 

The interviewing process will occur remotely. Please notify us if you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment process.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

If you have questions about the application process, please contact  articling@ccla.org.

This position has been made available through The Law Foundation of Ontario Public Interest Articling Fellowship Program