Since working in the Administrative Division, I have quickly learned that CLASP students get the opportunity to produce high quality work both in legal settings and in the community.  It has been excellent to work with the passionate and talented lawyers here, and to have their consistent attention and support. Right away, I have been put on my feet before tribunals, and have been able to see the impact of our work on clients' lives.  I am proud to be part of such an inspiring and innovative organization, and would certainly say it is not an experience to be missed.  

Brandy Breakey
2nd Year Student

I am from Calgary (and yes, proud of it).  I have a BSW.  Before arriving at law school Iworked with youth in both a voluntary detox program and an involuntary detox program as a youth counselor.  Before social work I spent many years working with school-aged children in various capacities.  I chose to work at CLASP because I thought that the social justice focus of CLASP would be a good fit with my social work background.  I wanted practical experience in law that I could not get by taking classes.  I am used to the practical aspect of education as this is the norm in social work education.  I did not want the skills I already had to get rusty.  At CLASP I get to do client work of a different kind.  I also get to see first-hand how the law impacts people’s lives which is not always apparent when reading cases from a textbook.

I chose to come to Osgoode because of the extensive selection of clinical programs offered, and I am very excited to have the opportunity to participate in CLASP. CLASP provides students with the chance to learn the practical aspect of law through their involvement with clients and their legal cases. The practice of law at the clinic illustrates the legal principles learned in first year, and allows you to gain invaluable experience.  I plan to pursue a legal career in litigation and my time at CLASP will provide me with the practical basis to further develop the skills necessary for my future career.  The CLASP program is an amazing addition to the legal education that we receive at Osgoode.

Andrew Matthews
2nd Year Student

Being a Division Leader at CLASP is invaluable for those students interested in complementing law courses and theory with real-life training and experience.  In the Administrative Law Division, I have the opportunity to aid clients navigating from start to finish through varied legal settings, such as the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Landlord and Tenant Board, and Small Claims Court.  Daily interaction with diverse clients, lawyers, adjudicators, and fellow students has provided me with unique perspectives on the practice of law.  Overall, participating at CLASP is a rewarding and enriching experience and I would strongly recommend it to aspiring lawyers.

CLASP allows me to apply the knowledge and theory learned in law school to real life legal problems thereby increasing my understanding of the role of a lawyer in society.  The constant challenges bring many rewards, such as, strengthening my research skills, sharpening my oral and written advocacy abilities, and enhancing my knowledge of different types of legal issues.  Exposure to legal professionals working in the field gives me an awareness of the necessity for me to develop certain personal qualities in order to be successful as a lawyer. 

Garett Schromm
2nd Year Student

After finishing 1L the law seemed deceptively academic and structured: my substantive courses traced a (mostly) coherent and sterile timeline through the development of the law in a given area. CLASP has exposed me to a different, and I think more accurate conception of the law and how it functions in our community. As a division leader at CLASP my most instructive experiences have not been the research (though there is some of that), but the interactions I have had with clients, counsel, colleagues, opposing parties and adjudicators. In the course of submitting applications, conducting interviews and direct examinations, and preparing for hearings before a variety of Administrative tribunals, I have gained valuable, practical experience with litigation, negotiation and advocacy. I have also learned that lawyers and law students have an important role to play in facilitating community engagement and change in the way the law affects their communities.  I am convinced that CLASP has been and will continue be a unique and invaluable contribution to my legal education.

Working at CLASP is the closest a student can get to doing the work of a real lawyer while still in law school.  Within weeks of starting, I had run a trial under the supervision of a practicing criminal defence lawyer.  I had the opportunity to conduct pre-trial negotiations with the Crown, cross-examine an officer, and make closing submissions before a judge.  However, I learned the most poignant lessons from my client.  There is no greater satisfaction than getting to know the person behind the facts, and advocating on their behalf.  Working at CLASP is an amazing educational experience, and an opportunity to make a real difference in our clients' lives.

Working at CLASP is an amazing experience. Appearing in court for clients on a regular basis is a great opportunity to improve my courtroom manner. Crown pre-trials help me to develop negotiation and advocacy skills. Drafting letters and factums that are edited by experienced counsel continues to improve my legal writing skills, while intake interviews and subsequent interactions with clients have taught me how to communicate with clients professionally in a legal service environment. All of these skills are developed in a supportive setting with oversight from knowledgeable lawyers and support staff.  Working with an amazing group of division leaders, there is a strong sense of community at the CLASP office as we take on these new challenges together and strive to provide excellent service to the Jane/Finch and York communities.

Working at CLASP has been a wonderful experience. Working in the Criminal Division has allowed me develop several practical skills which I will be able to use later in my legal career. The Criminal Divisional Leaders have the opportunity to prepare for trials, interview clients, attend court dates and work directly with lawyers. CLASP also gives students a wonderful opportunity to engage in various community organizations and projects in Toronto. Working at CLASP is a perfect way to supplement the theoretical based legal education you receive in the classroom with a set of valuable practical skills.

Being a part of the Criminal Division at CLASP has been a very exciting and rewarding experience. The practical skills which I have gained working with clients and appearing on their behalf in court has been a valuable compliment to my classroom experience. Working in the clinic and in the courts offers a glimpse into the day-to-day of legal practice which cannot be studied in a textbook. Further, the Public Legal Education programs which exist at the clinic such as "Know Your Rights" presentations are a great way for those interested in social justice to interact with and contribute to the communities around Osgoode.

Having been out of school for a few years before coming to Osgoode I recognize that many of my career and life skills I learnt on the job, building on knowledge from my undergraduate degree. CLASP has been an amazing opportunity for doing this while still in law school. The on-the-ground experience meeting with clients, preparing for court and in court will be an asset for my future career, and the guidance and feedback from supervising counsel has been invaluable. If there's one thing I've learned from CLASP, it's that in law you can never predict what challenge will present itself next.

Before I started working at CLASP, the thought of speaking in court terrified me. Within the first 5 weeks of work in the criminal division this summer, I had just over 10 court appearances.  This is just one of the many ways my experience at CLASP has led me to develop new personal strengths and invaluable practical legal skills.  In addition to providing students with new legal skills, CLASP also provides students with the opportunity to engage with the community through various community projects and public legal education seminars.  By engaging with the community on this level, students have the opportunity to truly make a difference.  To date, my time at CLASP has been the most positive part of my law school experience.

CLASP has been the best experience of my law school career thus far.  I came to law school having completed a lab research based master’s in Molecular Genetics.  I’ve always found doing hands-on work preferable to learning from books or lectures.  CLASP has given me the opportunity to dive right into learning about criminal law, social justice and all aspects of advocacy.  I would advise any incoming student to Osgoode to volunteer at CLASP, it will give you a new perspective on your studies and allow you to immediately use your legal knowledge to contribute to the community.

The immigration law division is the perfect place for people attracted to the personal aspect of law. Interacting personally with clients and helping them navigate through the complicated and constantly-changing immigration process is an incredibly rewarding experience. The diversity of people from different countries and backgrounds that we get to interact with (whether as clients, consultants, officials, or witnesses) and the hands-on legal work we get to do (from drafting legal documents to representing clients before the Immigration and Refugee Board) make working at CLASP all the more fulfilling. I've been especially fortunate as this year's only Spanish speaker (until some lucky caseworker joins, of course), as it's afforded me many opportunities to work outside of my division on a greater diversity of files and work with even more interesting people.

At the annual CLASP BBQ, I was on the fence. A previous division leader, after answering my endless questions, dared me to volunteer. I am glad I did. As an Intake Volunteer, I heard actual legal problems related by regular people. My weekly Intake Volunteer shift was a grounded opportunity to problem-solve and ask questions while not stressing in the abstract. As a division leader, I work my own cases with counsel supervision, and I see the results of my efforts. If you want to see lawyering reflected in the lives of people, if you want something at stake in advocating, become a CLASP division leader.

My experience at CLASP has been extremely insightful and interesting.  I had the opportunity to participate in hands on activities that helped to widen my knowledge in the Social Work field. These hands on activities include intakes and community outreaching. I enjoyed working at CLASP because it gives you chance to explore your skills. The staff here also help to ensure that your skills are developed and they provide supervision and support when needed. My colleagues are very hard-working and dedicated to their work. Overall, I would recommend CLASP to anyone who wants to work in a challenging but fun environment.

Working with CLASP is an amazing experience. The hands-on experiences widen my knowledge about the practice of Law and Social Work. From Intake Volunteer shifts and other engaging activities I am able to develop my communication skills which are essential to the field of Law and Social Work. I had numerous opportunities to attend agency meetings, tribunals and outreach programs and this helped me to understand my role has a future social worker. The staffs are wonderful and aim to provide continual supervision and support. My fellow division leaders are very hard-working and fun to work amongst. Overall, CLASP is an excellent fit for anyone who is passionate about social justice and wants to contribute to creating social changes.