Many of Osgoode’s experiential learning opportunities qualify for OPIR hours. For example, nearly all Clinical and Intensive Programs qualify, with some exceptions in business law. You can choose to source your own public interest placement in consultation with the OPIR Office; the Director must approve your placement before work begins.
You can also fulfill the OPIR through placements with the following projects and organizations:
Justice and Corporate Accountability Project (JCAP) is a transnational, collaborative, community-based legal clinic run by volunteer lawyers. JCAP assists in holding corporations and states to account by offering legal knowledge to communities that are negatively affected by natural resource extraction. Under the direction of Professor Shin Imai, JCAP offers law students the opportunity to provide legal services and research to communities in the Americas and to support international human rights and not-for-profit organizations on legal matters.
Law In Action Within Schools (LAWS) is a high school outreach program led by the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, Osgoode Hall Law School and the Toronto District School Board. It aims to increase legal knowledge and self-advocacy, promote access to the legal system and develop leadership, civic engagement and a sense of belonging among participants. LAWS programming is delivered in collaboration with more than 45 TDSB principals, teachers and guidance counselors, and over 350 justice sector volunteers including law students, judges, professors, lawyers and other legal professionals.
Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) provides free legal services to organizations and individuals in need in Canada. PBSC is the only national law student program in Canada and the only national pro bono service organization anywhere in the world. Every law school in Canada has a chapter offering students experiences spanning a wide array of legal practice areas and types of legal work. By exposing law students to the value of pro bono service, PBSC aims to encourage the next generation of lawyers to make pro bono service an everyday part of their practice.