Articling Student, Innocence Project - UBC, Vancouver

About the UBC Innocence Project

The UBC Innocence Project at the Peter A. Allard School of Law is recruiting an Articling Student for the 2027-28 term. This 12-month position offers a unique opportunity to engage with critical legal work, reviewing claims of wrongful conviction in British Columbia. As an Articling Student, you will contribute to identifying potential miscarriages of justice and assisting in securing the release of individuals who have been wrongly convicted, all while gaining invaluable practical experience within a supportive academic environment. This role is ideal for law students passionate about criminal justice and eager to apply their legal abilities to real-world client matters.

Day-to-day Responsibilities

As an Articling Student with the Innocence Project, your daily responsibilities will involve a comprehensive range of legal tasks, working directly on client files under the supervision of the Project Director and supervising lawyers. You will also interact with and support up to 15 law students, volunteers, and affiliates, contributing to a collaborative legal environment focused on justice. Your ability to manage diverse tasks and communicate effectively will be key to success in this dynamic role.

Key areas of work include:

• Explain the function of the Project to people who contact the clinic by telephone or walk in.
• Draft legal memoranda to support the casework.
• Interview potential clients by phone or in person.
• Review client application forms with the Director to assist in determining whether the Project can offer assistance and the scope of work that will be involved.
• Research, review, and organize client information, disclosure documents and other file information.
• Draft correspondence to Project applicants, experts and lawyers working on the file.

You will also engage in vital legal research and writing activities:

• Compile legal research on Project files by researching appropriate case law and legislation.
• Prepare draft submissions and research memoranda on cases and issues relating to wrongful conviction.
• Review disclosure from police and crown when provided.

Document preparation is a significant part of the role, requiring attention to detail:

• Prepare legal documents including, but not limited to affidavits and 696.1 Applications under the Criminal Code.
• Prepare documents for court including, but not limited to, written submissions, trial books, books of authorities, and books of evidence.
• Prepare and deliver correspondence on client matters.

Furthermore, you will contribute to advocacy and court work:

• Provide legal services for clients on all matters related to their post-conviction review application under the direct supervision of the Project’s director and supervising lawyers.

Requirements

To be successful in this articling role at the Peter A. Allard School of Law, candidates must meet specific academic and professional eligibility criteria, demonstrating a strong foundation in law and a commitment to the Project's mission. The ability to work diligently on complex legal matters and interact with diverse clients is highly valued.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completed a Canadian J.D. or LL.B. degree or obtained a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA).
• Eligible to enroll as an articled student with the Law Society of British Columbia.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications include a range of skills and abilities essential for this demanding legal position:

• Superior research and writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate and relate to different cultures and their communities.
• Ability to work independently, handling multiple, simultaneous tasks, prioritizing and meeting deadlines effectively.
• Ability to work in a team environment and to take instructions.
• Ability to use own initiative and make independent decisions.
• Ability to draft routine correspondence.
• Ability to organize workload, identify urgent work items, and set priorities.
• Ability to cope with a heavy workload.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to deal with distressed, demanding and/or hostile clients.
• Ability to work effectively with people from a wide range of demographics including prisoners, those with low incomes, physical/emotional disabilities, limited literacy, or otherwise disadvantaged.
• Ability to exercise empathy and to assist disadvantaged clients, including those with mental disabilities, those with low income, or those whose first language is not English.
• Ability to exercise a high level of professionalism.

Who You'll Work With

The Articling Student will be an integral part of the UBC Innocence Project team, operating within the Peter A. Allard School of Law. You will report directly to the Project Director and work under the supervision of the Project’s Director and supervising lawyers, ensuring comprehensive guidance on all legal client matters. This role also involves significant interaction with and support for a dedicated group of up to 15 law students, volunteers, and affiliates who are actively engaged in reviewing wrongful conviction claims. This collaborative environment offers a unique opportunity to mentor and be mentored, fostering a rich learning experience for all students involved in the project.