Student Groups
Manitoba Law Student Association
Manitoba Indigenous Law Student Association
MILSA news
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Advocacy Groups
Animal Rights Forum
Bilingual Students Association
The BSA is a student group at Robson Hall that aims to provide a forum for francophone and other French-speaking students to meet and discuss topics related to the French language and the law.
Cultural Diversity in Law group
The Cultural Diversity in Law Group is a student group whose aim is to create and promote opportunities for law students of visible minority backgrounds in the legal field and broader community.
Feminist Legal Forum
OUTlaws
Outlaws is the 2SLGBTQ+ law student association at Robson Hall. Our goal is to provide a queer-positive learning atmosphere and meeting place at the Faculty of Law for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We welcome everyone – whether you are a member of the queer community or an ally.
Areas of legal practice groups
Business Law Group
The Business Law Group (“BLG”) is the largest student group at Robson Hall, and the only group that is focused exclusively on corporate/commercial legal practices.
We understand that it’s difficult to get a feel for the practice of law purely from courses offered in law school. We want to supplement your classroom learning by providing you with a hands-on perspective of the practice of corporate law.
Throughout the year, BLG hosts corporate/commercial legal practitioners from Manitoba’s leading law firms, your future employers, for a lunchtime speaker series. Topics canvassed by our speakers include: an introduction to business law, what to expect as a young lawyer entering the market, discussions on different practice groups you may find under corporate/commercial law, and more.
Whether you’re set on having the corner office at Portage and Main or you just want to understand what a corporate/commercial practice can include, the Business Law Group has something to offer you.
Criminal Law Group
The Robson Hall Criminal Law Group aims to connect law students to the practice of criminal law. This group strives to create a community amongst those who wish to learn more about criminal law. We attempt to shed light on critical issues in the field from both the Crown and Defence perspective. We do this by providing opportunities to network with practicing lawyers and judges in the field and by hosting events with speakers from the legal community discussing a diverse array of topics throughout the year. The group traditionally hosts a dynamic workshop on advocacy where students are introduced to direct and cross examination techniques by some of Winnipeg’s best criminal lawyers. Make sure to also attend the Criminal Law Group’s “Crime and Cheese”, which provides an unparalleled experience to mingle, network (and drink wine) with the large array of Winnipeg’s criminal lawyers and judges.
If you want to make valuable networking connections with criminal practitioners in Winnipeg, this is the group for you. We hope to see you at our events!
Employment and Labour Law Group
Environmental Law Group
Health and Elder Law group
Health and Elder Law Group
The group Health and Elder Law group allows students to get exposure to the area of Wills, Estate and Trusts through guest speakers. Furthermore, the students have the opportunity to learn about the health aspect of law such as medical malpractice and more.
Robson Hall Debate Society
Debating is a critical skill for many new lawyers. It enhances public speaking by developing confidence and improving style. It allows you practice arguing either side of an argument, even when you don’t agree with your position. It helps you creatively think of many critical issues. Participation will give you a cutting edge in your public speaking and analytical abilities, both in class and in legal practice.
The Robson Hall Debate Society is open to all law students attending Robson Hall. We host meetings where students can watch their classmates debate, or give it a try themselves! We additionally give lessons on how to improve debate speeches and host sessions on the fundamentals of debating, public speaking, and mooting.
Robson Hall Symposium
This group is meant to get law students thinking and talking about the historical and philosophical foundations of law and how our own views intersect or conflict with law in a non-pretentious, respectful, intellectually engaging environment. Our discussions are meant to be a chance to respectfully disagree, express your own viewpoints, challenge and be challenged with the goal of learning from others.
Robson Hall Mediators
Robson Hall Mediators
The Robson Hall Mediators is a collective of students passionate about increasing awareness of and access to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Manitoba. We provide opportunities for students to learn ADR skills, network with ADR professionals, and explore non-traditional careers in law.
Local chapters of national organizations
C.A.R.L.
Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL)
CARL is the Robson Hall student chapter of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL). Our objective is to introduce students to immigration and refugee law from a broad perspective, human rights issues that arise in this field and the practical skills that can set you up for success as a professional that supports migrants and their families.
CARL provides great opportunities to meet fellow students that are passionate about migration in Canada and its governing policies. Members often enjoy debate about contemporary issues and engaging with others that share their passion. In addition to networking with your peers, CARL members will have opportunities to connect with lawyers working in the field, as well as the organizations that support their good work.
Regular attendance at events is not required, although encouraged. We welcome people to attend events/meetings whenever possible. To learn more about immigration and refugee law and connect with the legal community, join our CARL chapter!
Christian Legal Fellowship
Christian Legal Fellowship
The demands of law school pose unique challenges for anyone. We are Robson Hall Christian Legal Fellowship, a group of Christian law students who come together to provide encouragement, support, community, and mentorship. We are a part of a larger community called Christian Legal Fellowship (CLF) – Canada’s national association of Christian lawyers and law students, which has 15 law student chapters across Canada, as well as a membership of over 700 law students, lawyers, professors, retired judges, and more.
LEVEL
LEVEL
LEVEL is a Canadian organization that takes aim to level the various barriers to justice by disrupting prejudice, building empathy, and advancing human rights. The goal of LEVEL is to educate the public as well as legal professionals on how to create and maintain a more equitable justice system. As a University Chapter, it is our responsibility to exercise this goal by organizing activities/talks that can educate our classmates about various issues within the justice system and their potential solutions.
Last active in 2022
Pro Bono Students Canada
Pro Bono Students Canada
Pro Bono Students Canada is a national pro bono organization with Chapters at 22 law schools across the country. Our mission is to provide free legal support to people and communities facing barriers to justice. Each year, about 1,500 PBSC volunteers provide approximately 120,000 hours of free legal services to over 400 organizations, courts and tribunals across the country. PBSC matches law student volunteers (“Student Volunteers”) to Partner Organizations to provide free legal support to people and communities facing barriers to justice. 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. Volunteering with PBSC is open to first, second and third year law students.
Volunteers at the University of Manitoba chapter have gained valuable legal experience in clinical settings, on research projects, and as legal interns throughout the Academic Year. With returning partners including the Community Legal Education Association and the Legal Help Centre, and new partners including JusticeTrans, we look forward to another remarkable year.
PBSC Volunteer Placements are posted in September. These placements detail the type of project, who the project is for, an overview of the project, and the areas of law the placement engages with. Applications are sent out with the postings and are due in September as well, with placements starting in October. Exact dates change year to year, but PBSC will email all students prior to each important recruitment date as well as post on our social media as well as the MLSA Facebook page. Please feel free to email probono@umanitoba.ca any time throughout the year for more information in regards to recruitment and volunteering with PBSC.
PBSC Manitoba operates due to the generous funding provided by the University of Manitoba and our various external funders:
BLSA Canada
BLSA Canada is a national student-run non-profit organization founded in 1991. We are committed to supporting and enhancing academic and professional opportunities for black law students in both official languages.
Our objectives:
- To create a safe space and support systems for law students who identify as a racial minority
- To educate members about the importance and need for a diverse student body in law and the impact they can have in today’s legal practice
- To discuss the hardships and experiences racial minorities may face within the practice of law
- To provide social forums in which students and lawyers with similar backgrounds are able to interact and connect with each other
- To encourage a more diverse field of applicants to the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba
Support groups
Mental Health Group
A student group dedicated to promoting awareness of and support for the mental health and wellbeing of Robson Hall students.
Social Groups
Curling League
The Robson Hall Curling league runs Friday evenings, starting at 4:30 at the St. Vital Curling Club. The league is a great place to meet other students, hang out with friends, and get the chance to play a classic Manitoban sport!
MLSA page
Robson Hall Jets
MLSA page