Windsor Law Externship Program
Windsor Law’s Externship Program places students in law firms, non-profits, non-government organizations, courts, and community collectives under the supervision of a licensed lawyer. Students participate in a preparatory seminar and are provided both on-site and academic supervision throughout the term. The Externship Program incorporates work-integrated and skills-based learning alongside critical reflection, self-directed personal and career planning, focus on ethical and professional practice, and engagement with access to justice in theory and practice.
Windsor Law’s Externship Program consists of two distinct but complementary portions: a seminar course titled “Learning in Place” and the placement itself entitled “Externship Placement”. The seminar will consist of pre-placement training, ongoing support and a final placement showcase. The Externship Program includes a competitive application process, an array of placement sites, and a seminar that integrates the academic and work-based components of the program. Placements will vary from term to term. Students must enrol in both the seminar and work portions simultaneously.
Placements are primarily in-person or hybrid. Remote placements can be considered in some circumstances.
Below are placements typically available through the program. Please confirm availability of each placement in the term you wish to enroll.
Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (Toronto)
Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (Toronto)
Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) (Toronto)
Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) (Toronto)
City of Windsor (Windsor)
HIV Legal Network (Toronto)
Industrial Accident Victims' Group of Ontario (IAVGO) Community Legal Clinic (Toronto)
Mississauga Community Legal Services (Mississauga)
Unison Health and Community Services (Toronto)
Windsor-Essex Bilingual Legal Clinic (Windsor)
Windsor Regional Hospital (Windsor)
Applications are collected in the summer for the Fall term, and again in early Fall for the Winter term. Recruitment for any outstanding placements may take place closer to the start of the term. Students will be notified of the application details.
2L and 3L students may apply by submitting an online Application Form. Required documents for an application include a cover letter, resume, transcript (an unofficial transcript will suffice), and writing sample. Students are not guaranteed any particular placement but can rank placements in order of preference during the application process. Applications will be assessed in consultation with the Placement Supervisors.
Students might be required to enrol in other Law courses before confirming an Externship placement. Students are therefore encouraged to enrol in all courses besides the Externship placement. If students secure an Externship placement, they will be given permission and instructions to enrol in both the Externship Placement (LAWG 5933-01) and the Learning in Place Seminar (LAWG 5932-01). Students can work with the Academic Coordinator’s Office to ensure the proper number of credits for a term. Students may also wish to request a credit overload form, available through the Academic Coordinator’s Office.
Students must simultaneously enrol in both the seminar (5932-01) and placement (5933-01) portions of the program for a total of 6 credits (2 for the seminar, 4 for the placement).
In order to be prepared for success, please take a moment to review the documents on this page.
Advice from Former Externs (video)
Anti-Requisite Practice Exception Form
Insurance Form
- Student Declaration of Understanding (complete and return to the Clinical & Experiential Learning Coordinator at Windsor Law)
Mental Health & Wellness at Windsor Law
A special thank you for your generous support
Thank you for hosting a student extern from Windsor Law. In order to be prepared for success, please take a moment to review the documents on this page.
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Externship Agreement (MOU)
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Externship Supervisor Manual (includes program background, policies, and best practices)
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Workplace Injury Insurance
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Pre-placement Due Diligence Checklist (complete and return to the Clinical & Experiential Learning Coordinator at Windsor Law)
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Safety Orientation Checklist (complete and return to the Clinical & Experiential Learning Coordinator at Windsor Law)
- Withdrawal Policy
Professor Gemma Smyth is the Externship Director.
You can contact the Clinical and Experiential Learning Coordinator at externship@uwindsor.ca
Please fee free to reach out with any questions!
