Animal Justice is a national animal law advocacy organization, focused on improving laws and policies to protect animals in Canada. Our team works to pass strong new animal laws at all levels of government, ensures industries and corporations are held accountable for abusing animals, and fights for animals in courtrooms across the country.
We seek an enthusiastic and driven articling student to join our team for the 2025-2026 articling term to support our litigation, law enforcement, and law reform work. The ideal candidate will be passionate about enhancing legal protections for animals.
Animal Justice offers a friendly and positive work environment.
This position has been made available through The Law Foundation of Ontario Public Interest Articling Fellowship Program.
Position Specifics
Position type: Full-time, 10-month term
Reports to: Director of Legal Advocacy
Location: Toronto
Salary: $62,000 for the 10-month term, in addition to application, licensing examination, and articling program fees. The Articling Student will also receive health benefits.
Position Duties
- Conduct legal and academic research and produce written memoranda and briefs to support the legal team in its litigation, law reform, and law enforcement efforts;
- Help to develop and undertake strategic law reform campaigns at all levels of government, including policy development and legislative drafting;
- Support the compiling of information and evidence related to animal welfare violations, corporate misconduct, and other unlawful activities in animal use industries;
- Support the preparation and filing of complaints to law enforcement regarding animal suffering and other unlawful actions by companies or government entities;
- Assist with litigation-related tasks including drafting and reviewing facta, affidavits, and other pleadings; compiling materials; and serving and filing legal documents;
- Collaborate with Animal Justice staff on campaigns, communications, and other matters;
- Engage and coordinate with external counsel, pro bono counsel, and other volunteers as required;
- Draft blog posts and other public information material for Animal Justice’s website and communications;
- Monitor law and policy developments that impact animals;
- Attend court appearances as required;
- Attend educational events, community events, and the annual Canadian Animal Law conference;
- Travel as required to attend meetings, conferences, court appearances, and other events;
- Adhere to all organizational policies and procedures;
- Such other tasks as assigned from time to time.
Position Requirements
- Expected graduation in 2025 from an accredited law school or completion of the requisite requirements of the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) process before commencing articling;
- Knowledge of and passion for animal law issues, Animal Justice campaigns, and legal approaches to animal advocacy;
- Strong written and oral communication skills;
- Strong legal and academic research skills;
- Strong organizational and project management skills, and the ability to multitask, work independently, and meet quick deadlines;
- Proficiency with computer software, including Microsoft Office, Google products, and Dropbox;
- Intrinsic motivation, with a drive to excel and win;
- Personal commitment to Animal Justice’s philosophy and mission;
- Ability to travel occasionally;
- Ability to communicate in French is an asset.
What Animal Justice Offers
- An opportunity to contribute to improving legal protections for animals;
- A flexible hybrid work model;
- A supportive, collaborative, and inclusive culture;
- Health benefits.
Candidate Selection Process and Application Process
Hiring will be carried out in accordance with the Law Society of Ontario’s 2025-2026 Articling Recruitment Procedures.
Please apply through viLawPortal. Upload a cover letter, CV, writing sample (10 pages maximum), law school transcript, and 1-2 reference letters to ViLawPortal by June 28, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. Please see the Law Society of Ontario’s Articling Recruitment Process for other key dates.
Notes on the Application Process
Animal Justice is committed to having accessible and equitable employment practices.
Because we value a diverse workplace, we prioritize an inclusive culture absent of discrimination during the application process and after joining the team. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply, especially those from under-represented backgrounds. We believe that work on behalf of animals benefits greatly from collaborating with people from all backgrounds.
Together, we can create a more just society for animals in Canada.
