Schulich School of Law

Home
Internships, Clinics & Placements

Internships, Clinics & Placements

 

Internships

Law students can find internship opportunities in many different types of organizations, both in Canada and around the world: international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, businesses, governments, and charities are just a few examples. Large international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) offer student internships, but many smaller organizations are also glad to hire students to assist them during the summer months. Smaller organizations, however, may not have the funding to widely advertise their positions. The Internet is likely your best source for finding information about potential internship opportunities.

Most law students seek internships for the summer months. You can also work as an intern after graduating and prior to articling if you’d like to gain more experience—or if you’re unsure of the career path you’d like to take. It’s important to search for internship opportunities well in advance of when you plan to start, as you generally need to complete several documents before you can begin your internship (particularly if you’re traveling internationally).

Funding 

Most internships are unpaid, or provide the intern with only a small stipend (money meant to cover travel expenses and to help you set up in a new city). While students are often happy to work without pay if they are gaining experience and contributing to a meaningful purpose, the reality for most students is that internships are financially impossible to pursue without some source of funding. You can seek funding for your internships  by visiting the Schulich School of Law's Career Development Office (CDO). Here, you can also find additional resources on doing a law internship and information about “alternative,” or “public interest” careers in general.

Funded Internships

Dalhousie Legal Aid Service

The Dalhousie Legal Aid Service has been in operation since 1970. It's the oldest clinical law program in Canada and the only community law clinic in Nova Scotia. Third-year law students can work in the Dal Legal Aid Clinic for credit, getting real-life experience with community outreach, education, organizing, lobbying, and test case litigation to combat injustices affecting persons with low incomes in Nova Scotia. Learn more about working with Dalhousie Legal Aid Service.

McCarthy Tétrault LLP Business Law Internship

A business law internship program with one of McCarthy Tétrault's clients, which in recent years has been Irving Shipbuilding Inc. The internship takes place the summer after first year.

Application due: TBA
Funding: $10,000

Nova Scotia Barristers' Society Presidents’ Summer Internship

Propose a volunteer project in a governance setting of your choice. The one– to four-month internship takes place the summer after first year.

Application due: TBA
Funding: $1,000

Pamela and Andrew Brands International Summer Internship

A three-week corporate placement at Herbert Smith Freehills in London, England, and the opportunity to intern at an international NGO of your choosing for the rest of the summer. The internship takes place the summer after first year.

Application due: TBA
Funding: $12,000

Penelope Tham Summer Business Internship

A business law and policy internship. Propose a volunteer project that will last a minimum of 12 weeks with a business law or policy organization. The internship takes place the summer after first year.

Application due: TBA
Funding: $12,000

Schulich Academic Excellence Fund for Internships

Propose a public service volunteer project with an organization of your choice. The internship takes place the summer after first or second year.

Application due: TBA
Funding: Up to $5,000

The Honourable Gordon S Cowan Court of Appeal Internship

Work on a research project at the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal under the direction of the Chief Justice of Nova Scotia. The four-month internship takes place the summer after second year.

Application due: TBA
Funding: $12,000

 

Placements

Court of Appeal Placement

Refer to the academic calendar for current class description. View the Academic Timetable for current instructor and timetable information.

Environmental Law Placement

Refer to the academic calendar for current class description. View the Academic Timetable for current instructor and timetable information.

Health Law Placement

Refer to the academic calendar for current class description. View the Academic Timetable for current instructor and timetable information.

Syllabus (2016-17): Erdman J. (Sec 1&2) [PDF - 124 kB]

Intellectual Property & Commercialization Placement

View the Academic Timetable for current instructor and timetable information.

Nova Scotia Supreme Court (Family Division) Placement

Refer to the academic calendar for current class description. View the Academic Timetable for current instructor and timetable information.

Syllabus (2015-16): Thompson R. (Sec 1 & 2)
Syllabus (2014-15): Thompson R. (Sec. 1 & 2)

Public Law Placement

Refer to the academic calendar for current class description. View the Academic Timetable for current instructor and timetable information.

Syllabus (2015-16): Kirby S. (Sec 1&2)
Syllabus (2014-15): Kirby S. (Sec. 1 & 2)

 

Refer to the academic calendar for current class description.

View the Academic Timetable for current instructor and timetable information.

Syllabus (2015-16):

  • Kirby S. (Sec 1&2)

Syllabus (2014-15):

  • Kirby S. (Sec. 1 & 2)

Supreme Court of Nova Scotia Placement

Refer to the academic calendar for current class description. View the Academic Timetable for current instructor and timetable information.

Syllabus (2016-17): Hughes E. (Sec. 1 & 2)

 

Refer to the academic calendar for current class description.

View the Academic Timetable for current instructor and timetable information.

Syllabus (2015-16):

  • Kirby S. (Sec 1&2)

Syllabus (2014-15):

  • Kirby S. (Sec. 1 & 2)

 

Clerkships

Judge's Clerkship Programme

The Schulich School of Law, in cooperation with the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, offers a voluntary Judge's Clerkship Programme for third-year students. This programme, which is in addition to regular classes and not for credit, allows qualified students to spend one week during the term with a Supreme Court Justice in Chambers, and offers a valuable and practical learning experience. Some students each year may also have the opportunity to act as student assistants, for credit, to the Nova Scotia Appeal Court, the Nova Scotia Supreme Court (Family Division) Placement and the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia Placement. Learn more about Clerkship opportunities.


Questions? Contact career.development@dal.ca.  

Profile: Pamela and Andrew Brands Award International Internship in Law
law students_Rebecca Critchley

The Pamela and Andrew Brands Award International Internship in Law gives students the opportunity to work for a prestigious global law firm in London, England, and an international NGO of their choosing. Andrew Brands, one of the award’s founders, calls the internship a "mind-changing, career-changing event." 

Read Rebecca's experience.