Osler is proud to support the launch of the Avenue: Black Undergraduate Law Internship Program, a professional development program focused on investing in the next generation of Black lawyers and leaders. The program provides a pathway for Black undergraduate students to learn about a career in law, receive paid summer internships and support their application to law school.
The program is a new industry initiative operating in partnership with Legal Leaders for Diversity (LLD) and the Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion Network (LFDIN), with the support of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) and the Ontario Bar Association (OBA).
Osler has joined a number of law firms and private organizations to help create the program to help Black undergraduate students in Canada gain experience in the legal industry.
Applications are now invited on the recently launched Avenue website in advance of the application deadline of November 22, 2021, for up to 30 positions next summer.
It is anticipated that there will be upwards of 500 applicants from across Canada. The inaugural cohort of approximately 30 interns will be placed at participating law firms and legal departments at organizations in multiple provinces, during summer of 2022.
The paid internships will offer a professional work placement, leadership development, mentorship and financial support for those who choose to pursue a career in law. Osler anticipates offering up to three internship opportunities in 2022. If recipients enroll in an LSAT preparation program or apply to law school within three years from the end of their summer internship, they will receive a grant of up to $3,000 to cover the cost of an LSAT preparation course or law school application fees.
If you identify as Black, are enrolled in or have recently completed an undergraduate program in Canada, and are considering a career in law, you are encouraged to apply. Visit the Avenue website for more information.