Judicial Internships

Background 
In Windsor Law’s Judicial Internship Program, students are placed with one or more Supervising Judges in one of three Provincial Courts in Ontario: Windsor, Newmarket or Woodstock. Students receive three (3) credits for this placement. In Windsor Courts, Students will primarily observe matters in the criminal courts, with occasional opportunities to observe family proceedings. As such, academic and/or practical experience in criminal law are preferred in the Windsor Courts in particular. For other placements, experience in family and civil litigation is helpful. Students must be able to devote a FULL DAY per week to this program. Students travelling to Newmarket and Woodstock are expected to arrange their own travel. Funding may be available to support some of these costs. Please see information on each placement site at Judicial Internships | Faculty of Law. 

Application Process 
2L and 3L students may apply by submitting an online application form. Applications will be reviewed by the Externship Program Director in consultation with the Justices. Successful applicants will be asked to complete an interview with the Externship Program Director before they are selected for a position. Contact Legal Career Consultant Kristijana Gavrovski via Symplicity for more details on this unique opportunity!

Course Selection 

Students can only enroll in this program with permission. Successful applications are often finalized after registration. In this case, students should enroll in a full credit load, then drop a course if they are selected as a Judicial Intern. Students can work with the Academic Coordinator’s Office to ensure they are enrolled in 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. However, given that students must devote a full day to this program, it is strongly recommended NOT to take courses on overload.  

The following documents should be prepared into one pdf file for your online application by June 27, 2025, by 12:00PM: 

• A one-page cover letter addressed to Prof. Gemma Smyth, Externship Director, describing why you would like to be selected for a Judicial Internship position. Provide highlights of your experiences and learning that would contribute to the placement.; 

• Your resume; 

• Your transcript (an unofficial transcript will suffice); and 

• A legal writing sample of no more than 10 pages, double-spaced. DO NOT use your Legal Research and Writing memo. DO NOT include co-authored pieces. Writing samples from previous undergraduate or graduate programs, blogs, short piece of writing from Access to Justice Course, and/or reflections for Indigenous Legal Orders are acceptable. Please note the context in which you wrote the selected writing sample.  

• If you need any accommodations to apply for this program, please email the Externship Office.  

Students will receive three (3) credits for their work. Assessment is based on the student's professionalism and contributions to the work of the Court, including in the form of preparing research memoranda. Assessment will be made by the Supervising Judge, in consultation with the Externship Program Director. Performance will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

Judicial Internship Student Manual

Weekly Submission of Hours​​​​​​

Insurance Form

• Student Declaration of Understanding (complete and return to externship@uwindsor.ca)

Anti-requisite Practice Exception Form

Mental Health & Wellness at Windsor Law

Court Etiquette and Procedures

Withdrawal Policy

 

A special thank you for your generous support

• Workplace Injury Insurance

  • UWin Letter to Placement Supervisor

  • Pre-placement Due Diligence Checklist (complete and return to externship@uwindsor.ca)

  • Safety Orientation Checklist (complete and return to externship@uwindsor.ca)

Gemma Smyth is the Externship Director. 

For further information, please contact externship@uwindsor.ca.

Please fee free to reach out with any questions!