2026 Summer Law Student - Ottawa

Ecojustice; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A public interest environmental law firm in Ottawa is seeking a summer law student for a contract position to assist in legal research and litigation support. This role offers a unique opportunity to work on environmental law issues and contribute to the mission of protecting the environment. Candidates must be currently enrolled in law school and have a demonstrated interest in environmental law. This position is exclusively available to uOttawa law students.

Benefits

Paid personal life organization time

Flexible leave policies

Learning opportunities in diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in public interest environmental law.
• Familiarity with environmental and administrative law.
• Ability to conduct legal and policy research.

Responsibilities

• Assist with legal memoranda in environmental law.
• Conduct legal research and provide litigation support.
• Respond to public inquiries about environmental law.

Skills

Research skills

Writing skills

Interest in environmental law

Collaboration with equity-deserving groups

Proficiency in French

Education

Currently enrolled in Law School

Job description

AT A GLANCE

Location: Ottawa

Employment Type: Contract Full time, Term (4 months summer 2025 placement)

Hours: 35 weekly

Salary: $4,434/month

Closing Date: January 21, 2026 at 5pm ET

*Summer students will be offered articling terms for 2026-2027 in advance priority providing they prove satisfactory performance during the summer term.

***Please note this role is open to uOttawa law students only.

ABOUT US

At Ecojustice, we build a case for a better earth every day! We fight, and win, for our planet in court.

Our Mission is why people join Ecojustice. People who choose to join us recognize that this planet is our most treasured inheritance, and it is our imperative to be good stewards for the generations who follow us. We use the power of the courts to defend what we value most. We believe in protecting the environment while having enough time off to enjoy it. If you are courageous, collaborative and dedicated to the fight for a healthier environment, you will find your people here.

ABOUT THE ROLE

If you are a law student who wants to work for a public interest environmental law firm next summer, then here is an outstanding opportunity for you to join Canada's legal champion for a healthy environment. We are currently seeking one student to work in the Ottawa office for the 2025 summer term. If the successful student demonstrates satisfactory performance and skill they will be offered an articling position for the 2025-2026 articling term before the end of the summer law student placement term.

It will be a learning experience that you will never forget! You will have the opportunity to work along with people deeply passionate about the environment and social justice, and contribute to the challenge and complexity of Ecojustice’s work.

As an Ecojustice summer student, you will assist our professional staff by providing legal assistance on environmental law and policy issues by:

• Conducting legal, policy and general research
• Preparing legal memoranda, primarily in the areas of environmental and administrative law
• Responding to inquiries from members of the public about environmental law questions and issues
• Providing general litigation support (assisting in drafting pleadings and submissions, preparing briefs of authorities, etc.)
• Assisting in researching and writing Ecojustice Canada reports
• Assisting with requests for information and reviews under the Freedom of Information Act and Access to Information Act
• Interacting with clients and non-governmental environmental organizations

ROLE SUCCESS

We are currently working to embed our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and reconciliation (JEDI‑R) into all aspects of our organization. We value students who have experience (lived, professional, volunteer) in building meaningful, collaborative partnerships with equity‑deserving groups, and incorporating JEDI‑R values in day‑to‑day practices and operations.

• Have a demonstrated interest in environmental law and a desire to work in the public interest area
• Are familiar with environmental and administrative law
• Possess excellent research and writing skills
• Working proficiency in French is an asset

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must be received on or before January 21st, 2026 at 5pm ET. To apply, please submit the following materials through our Career page at www.ecojustice.ca/careers:

1. Cover letter and Resume, may be addressed to Ecojustice Hiring Committee
2. Law school transcripts
3. A writing sample, preferably a legal research memo from law school or your previous experience, 7-10 pages maximum
4. Three letters of recommendation

--- These letters can be submitted with your application or, if your reference prefers, sent directly to the hiring team via email at [e-mail] (please request them to input your name into the subject line of the email).

For your reference, for this position we will be following the recruitment timeline as laid out below:

• Application Deadline: January 21st, 2026 at 5pm ET
• Scheduling of Interviews: January 28th-February 12th, 2026
• Interview week: February 17th-25th, 2026
• Offers start: February 27th, 2026 at 8am ET
• Acceptance of offer: February 27th, 2026 at 10am ET

OUR COMMITMENT TO WORKPLACE ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, and INCLUSION

Ecojustice is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and is responding to the calls for action to further reconciliation.

We encourage applications from people with relevant job-related skills and who come from communities which have been structurally marginalized based on race, religion, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression. Members belonging to communities that experience marginalization can self-identify during the application process if they choose to do so.

Ecojustice strives to ensure that our online application system and recruitment process is accessible to individuals with different abilities and encourages candidates to contact [e-mail] for any accommodation requests.

Great Reasons To Join Us

• Recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 charities by Charity Intelligence.
• 4 hours per month of paid personal life organization time
• Additional flexible leave policies that accommodate physical and mental health leave, caregiving responsibilities, volunteering, and other life events.
• Colleagues dedicated to environmental impact through their work at Ecojustice (99% mission alignment rating from internal surveys).
• A culture of collaboration where employees are fostered by their managers (97% manager relationship rating from internal surveys).
• Learning opportunities to further our strategic commitment towards justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation.