2026 Summer Law Student - Toronto

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

Job summary

Ecojustice is seeking a law student for a summer placement in their Toronto office. This role offers a unique opportunity to work on environmental law and policy issues within a leading charity. Participants can contribute to meaningful projects while learning from experienced professionals dedicated to environmental justice, potentially leading to an articling position in the following academic year.

Benefits

Flexible work environment

Learning opportunities in justice and equity

Commitment to workplace accessibility

Qualifications

• Interest in environmental law and public interest.
• Familiarity with environmental and administrative law.
• Excellent research and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal, policy, and general research.
• Prepare legal memoranda.
• Assist with requests for information.

Skills

Research

Writing

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Law degree or current law student

Job description

AT A GLANCE

Location:Toronto

Employment Type:Contract Full-time, Term (4-month summer 2026 placement)

Hours:35 weekly

Salary: $4,434/month

Posting Date:July 2, 2025

Closing Date: August 27, 2025 at 5pm ET

*Summer students will be offered articling terms for 2027-28 in advance priority providing they prove satisfactory performance during the summer term.

ABOUT US

As Canada’s largest environmental law charity our mission is using the law to defend nature, combat the climate crisis, and fight for a healthy environment for all. To achieve this, Ecojustice does three things:

We go to court - Our lawyers represent citizens, environmental organizations, First Nations, sustainable businesses, labour organizations, and any other groups that share our mission.

We push for better laws - Our experts testify in front of committees and make recommendations to strengthen environmental legislation.

We engage the public - Our work highlights environmental issues and changes the conversation, forcing our leaders to sit up and listen.

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 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 Toronto office for the 2026 summer term. Should the successful student demonstrate satisfactory performance and skill they will be offered an articling position for the 2027-28 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.

Typically, we find that people who succeed in this role:

• 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

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must be received on or before August 27, 2025 at 5pm ET.

To apply, please submit the following materials through our Career page atwww.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 [e-mail] (please ask them to put your name into the subject line of their email).

For your reference, for this position we will be following therecruitment timelineas laid out below:

Application Deadline: August 27, 2025

Scheduling of Interviews:October 17, 2025 at 8am ET

Interview week:October 27-29, 2025

Offers start: October 29, 2025

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 [e-mail] any accommodation requests.

Great Reasons To Join Us

• Recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 charities by Charity Intelligence.
• A flexible work environment and work schedule that best suits you and how you work
  
• 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.