Faculty of Law publishes Experiential Learning Report 2024
The Faculty of Law has published its inaugural Experiential Learning Report this summer to showcase the remarkable growth of clinical offerings at Manitoba’s law school over the past two years. This growth aligns directly with the Faculty’s Strategic Plan and furthers access to justice objectives.
“While traditional law school courses provide students with the skills and knowledge required to “think like a lawyer,” experiential learning allows students to become empathetic, skilled advocates who will be better equipped to respond to the legal challenges of the communities we serve,” said Elizabeth McCandless, Director of Clinics and Editor-in-Chief of the new publication.
“Learning by hands-on experience as soon as possible in one’s legal training is an invaluable way to develop skills that will be essential throughout one’s legal career,” said Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law. “Expanding the Faculty of Law’s clinics and practice opportunities for our students has been a big priority for us and we are proud to share the results of our efforts in this publication.”
The report shines a spotlight on the nine externship placement opportunities available for law students, including the Faculty’s more than half century relationship with Legal Aid Manitoba’s University of Manitoba Community Law Centre, which has now expanded to include a Prison Law Clinic. The Legal Help Centre continues to be an essential training ground for law students after over a decade, while new clinics include the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic, and the Law Library Hub Externship. The L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic has added a dimension in the form of the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts, and students continue to work for the Manitoba Law Reform Commission, the Manitoba Department of Justice, the Public Interest Law Centre, and the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund.
Moot competitions, clerkships at the Manitoba Court of Appeal and the Court of King’s Bench, and volunteer opportunities are also significant experiential opportunities that help our law students develop into legal professionals with advocacy experience before starting their articles.
The UM Faculty of Law’s Experiential Learning Report 2024 is now available to read on the Faculty of Law website. A limited number of print copies are also available by contacting the Robson Hall General Office.