Refugee Law Office of Legal Aid Ontario
This summer I had the opportunity to work at the Refugee Law Office (RLO). Every day here is different. Over the past three months, I have had a wide variety of opportunities to learn about refugee and immigration law from the lawyers and staff members at the RLO through constant interaction and mentoring.
I have observed a number of different proceedings, including cases at the Federal Court, hearings and appeals at the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), and detention reviews at a number of prison facilities. After watching the lawyers in action at the beginning of my summer, I have since been able to take on cases myself. I prepared and litigated a case at the Refugee Protection Division of the IRB. I have also drafted and delivered submissions on behalf of clients at detention reviews.
My experiences have also included hands-on work with client files, including the completion of Personal Information Forms (PIF), Pre-Removal Risk Assessments (PRRA) and Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) applications. These cases have involved a variety of tasks, including meetings with clients, research on countries of origin and the writing of legal submissions. Most recently, I was able to assist a lawyer in preparing a request for an emergency stay of removal at the Federal Court.
There is a strong emphasis on education at our office, and I have been encouraged to attend training sessions and workshops on topics related to my job. This has included a full day at a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) conference organized by the RLO, as a branch of Legal Aid Ontario, for lawyers and staff working in the field of refugee and immigration law. Our director also arranged for all office staff to attend a workshop on dealing with stories of trauma, as there is a significant personal and emotional component to the job that we perform.
Overall, I have learned an amazing amount about the law by immersing myself in it and taking on new and challenging cases. With the supervision, support and feedback of those at the RLO, I have gained confidence in my abilities and come to many realizations about the prospects for my future as a lawyer.
