“Hello Eugene,
I’m helping out as a mentor/assessor/advisor on the Law Practice Program (LPP) at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU, like the subway station!) again this year.
The four-month virtual “in-class” portion of the program is almost over (the weeks in mid-December are Assessment weeks) then the candidates are required to do a 16-week work placement to complete the program in the new year.
The LPP is a practical and pragmatic experiential program—the candidates have been worked pretty hard and consistently over the last four months—they have had to submit more than 100 deliverables, and have done many and various lawyer things like conduct client interviews (the “clients” all are actors from the local community—I’ve recognized a few – and some take their backstory creation very, very seriously,) conducted multiple legal research assignments, drafted a will, acted for parties in a real estate transaction, incorporated a business, conducted negotiations, conducted examinations and cross-examinations, argued a family law custody motion, argued a refugee application, argued a civil trial, etc., etc. They’ve dipped their toes in many areas of law and have obtained solid practical experience (although it’s all technically been make-believe up until now.)
There remain many candidates who have yet to find a placement for their work experience. Many of the candidates are more mature than the average seal-pup-on-an-icefloe-articling-student, and have relevant work experience in other jurisdictions, whether in law or related fields (finance, immigration, NGOs, etc.) While most are based in Toronto, others are scattered around the province—one of my mentees lives in Timmins, today I met another who is on Manitoulin Island (they both delightfully refer to Toronto as “down south”.)
If anyone might be interested (or knows anyone who might be interested) in having a bright, capable student around to assist in their firm/practice—it’s like having an articling student, but only for a four-month commitment—they can reach out directly to the LPP program to get more information and to confirm dates/availability. (Employers – Law Practice Program) or they can reach out to me personally peter.hamiwka@rogers.com) and I can hook you up with some of my mentees. Any size of firm/practice, and any type of legal platform (whether private practice, government, in-house, charity, etc.) is eligible. You’ll be doing some good and giving back to the profession by helping to educate the next generation of lawyers in Ontario.
Thank you.
Best,
Peter.”
Thank you: Peter Hamiwka (peter.hamiwka@rogers.com)