Family and Children’s Law Placements

The Family and Children’s Law Placements course is offered each term, giving upper-year students invaluable insight and experience in the practice of family and children’s law, and the roles and responsibilities of lawyers and other professionals in the legal system. Professor Nicholas Bala coordinates placements and leads seminars for students enrolled in the course. Students have a choice of being placed with family law practitioners, the Children’s Aid Society, Family Court Duty Counsel, the Frontenac Youth Diversion Program and the Victim Witness Program. Students earn academic credit while they learn about the complex legal, ethical and moral decisions involved in the practice of family law.

Clinical Externships

Upper-year students will earn academic credit each year while working for community legal aid clinics serving Kingston, Belleville, Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, Cobourg and Northumberland County. The placement provides clinical legal experience to law students, helping them develop skill and confidence as legal professionals. Under close supervision by clinic lawyers, law students interview and counsel clients, research legal issues, draft legal memoranda, provide legal opinions, prepare pleadings, negotiate settlements and participate in hearings before administrative tribunals on poverty law issues such as landlord/tenant disputes, creditor/debtor matters, employment claims and income maintenance problems.

Federal Government Internships

Queen’s Law offers a series of internships in partnership with offices of the federal Department of Justice in Ottawa. Each term, upper-year students earn academic credit while gaining practical experience. The internship would develop skills in legal research, communication skills, orally and in writing, through work such as preparation and presentation of legal opinions, briefing notes, policy memoranda or litigation reports.