Faculty of Law

Clinical learning

The J.D. curriculum invites critical assessment of the role of law in society as well as the development of skills relevant to the practice of law. In addition to lectures and seminars, students are given an opportunity to develop, under supervision, some of the research, writing, and forensic skills which will prove essential in the practise of law.

First year

In first year, students are acquainted with the various resource materials available in a law library, and develop legal research and writing skills. As part of the mandatory first-year Legal Systems course, students take part in Robson Hall’s Judge Shadowing program, where students get out of the classroom and into the courtroom. Seeing the law in action humanises the casebook for students who consistently rank the course highly, describing it as: “the best part of first year learning … that brings together everything in the courses and adds a dose of reality.”

Upper years

In second and third years, students must participate in moot courts (fictitious trials and appeals) as in the mandatory second-year Introduction to Advocacy course, for example, which provides training in research, examination of witnesses, and courtroom argument, as well as the hands-on Negotiation course, which trains students for dispute resolution advocacy.

Students may choose to further hone their advocacy training in second and third year by trying-out for the Robson Hall Mooting Program, to represent Robson Hall in various moot competitions across Canada.

Third year

In third year, students may choose from a range of for-credit clinical courses including the following:

Department of Justice

The Manitoba Department of Justice oversees a wide range of services in the province relating to public safety and the justice system. The Department of Justice oversees areas such as Manitoba Courts, Crown, and police. Students may work in a variety of areas, including conducting policy analysis to inform legislative development.

Indigenous Community Legal Clinic

The ICLC provides hands-on opportunities to students, such as developing and managing client files and conducting qualitative research. Students will also work directly with high school students from the Seven Oaks school division to increase “pathways in and out of law school.” Students will have an opportunity to learn theory about decolonizing and Indigenizing law, as well as how to integrate these principles into the practice of law.

Law Library Hub

The Law Library Hub – Civil Clinic provides free legal information, referrals, and form filling services for individuals seeking help with Civil law related matters under the supervision of a Lawyer. The clinic is located both at the law Library at 408 York (Law Courts Building) and may also be held virtually over Zoom. Students will work directly with clients for intake, issue spotting, legal drafting, and written advocacy (under lawyer supervision).

Women's Legal Education and Action Fund

LEAF is a national charitable organization that works towards ensuring the law guarantees substantive equality for women, girls, trans, and non-binary people through litigation, law reform, and public education. The externship student will conduct research and write legal memorandum to assist the organization in their advocacy work. LEAF is based in Toronto and this externship is held remotely.

Legal Help Centre

LHC is a downtown legal clinic that offers legal and social service information as well as summary legal advice. Their goal is to improve access to legal and social service resources for socially and economically disadvantaged members of the community by providing legal support, education and referrals in partnership with students and volunteers. Students work directly with clients which primarily deal with family law matters, but also offer assistance in areas such as small claims, estate administration, employment, housing and other civil and administrative matters.

L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic

The Business Law Clinical Externship course provides students with a focus on solicitors’ work in the context of private practice or as in-house counsel. The Business Law Clinical Externship is

designed to provide students with training and experience by combining faculty-led workshops and regular feedback seminars with practitioner-supervised legal work on client files from the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic and/or simulated scenarios. Students will be exposed to solicitors’ work from a variety of entities ranging from not-for-profit, charitable, or community-based entities, to start-up enterprises with limited means, provided on a pro bono basis.

Manitoba Law Reform Commission

The Manitoba Law Reform Commission (MLRC) is an independent law reform agency established by The Law Reform Commission Act. Its role is to improve, modernize and reform the law and administration of justice in Manitoba. The Commission carries out research and consultation, and makes formal recommendations for law reform to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Students will conduct valuable research in this role.

Public Interest Law Centre

The Public Interest Law Center is an independent office of Legal Aid Manitoba that represents groups and individuals on issues affecting the environment, human rights, Indigenous peoples, consumers, and low-income persons. They assist those who are often silenced in legal and public policy debates by providing evidence-based advocacy. Students will conduct research, conduct intake interviews, and assist on client files.

Rights Clinic at Robson Hall

The Rights Clinic was founded in July 2022 to expand the clinical offerings at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law and to advocate for the protection and advancement of rights. The primary focus of the Rights Clinic is to raise awareness and promote education about rights.

The Rights Clinic does not provide legal advice or representation.

University of Manitoba Community Law Centre

The UMCLC is an independent Legal Aid office that is staffed exclusively by Robson Hall students, overseen by a supervising Legal Aid Manitoba lawyer. Students manage their own files, which deal with summary conviction criminal cases.

Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts

In 2023 the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law clinic expanded to assist Manitoba artists. The clinic serves artists, creatives and cultural organizations by providing free legal information and services tailored specifically to artists and arts organizations.

Connect with us

Faculty of Law

224 Dysart Road
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

lawinfo@umanitoba.ca

204.474.6130

204.474.7580

Our office is open Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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