Experiential learning Faculty of law
Real experience
TRU Law is committed to preparing students to practice law, not just study it. Across the JD program, students have access to a range of experiential learning opportunities – from clinical placements and externships to pro bono work and judicial internships – that build practical skills and real professional experience.
TRU Community Legal Clinic
The TRU Community Legal Clinic (TRU CLC) is a student-staffed free legal clinic serving the BC interior. Under the supervision of licensed lawyers, students provide legal assistance to members of the community who cannot otherwise afford it. Students earn course credit for their work at the clinic through the Clinical Practice course, which is available for 6, 9, or 12 credits depending on the level of involvement.
Clinical work at the TRU CLC develops a wide range of practical skills, including client interviewing and counselling, file management, legal research, drafting of legal documents, and advocacy on behalf of clients. Students also engage in public education and law reform projects.
Students are selected through a competitive application process, with students having completed the Community Lawyering course given priority. For more information about the clinic and its services, visit truclc.ca
Visit TRU CLC Website
Externship
The externship program places upper-year students with legal organizations in Kamloops and the surrounding region for a semester of supervised practice. Students work under the guidance of experienced lawyers to develop skills in file and practice management, legal drafting, professional communication, interviewing, negotiation, and advocacy. The placement is paired with regular group reflection sessions focused on professional development and legal practice.
Current placements
British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC)
Students gain in-house legal experience as part of BCLC’s legal team, reviewing and drafting a range of contracts – including sponsorships, leases, software agreements, and promotional contests – under the supervision of in-house counsel.
Okanagan Thompson Legak Clinic (OTLC)
Students work within the OTLC’s service programs in Legal Representation, Family Law Advocacy, or Poverty Law Advocacy, providing free legal services to community members with a trauma-informed approach.
British Columbia Law Institute
The BCLI is a not-for-profit law reform agency based in Vancouver. We engage in scholarly research and analysis of existing laws to determine pathways for law reform. Our goal is to provide clear and actionable insight for the purpose of improving laws in BC. Students assist individuals in scholarly research.
Students are selected through an application process. Ethical lawyering is a prerequisite or corequisite.
Judicial internship
The Judicial Internship program allows 3L students to spend a full semester working as an intern for a Provincial Court judge in Kamloops, Kelowna, or Prince George. Students observe court proceedings, assist with legal research, and gain a firsthand understanding of the judicial process. The judicial internship is one of the most immersive experiential learning opportunities available in the JD program and is open to a limited number of students each year.
Pro Bono Students Canada
TRU Law is home to a chapter of Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC), a national organization with chapters at over 20 law schools across the country. PBSC volunteers provide free legal research and information to community organizations, courts, and tribunals. TRU’s chapter has partnered with First Nations organizations, citizen action groups, and other community partners. Participation is open to all TRU Law students and offers a meaningful way to contribute to access to justice while developing practical legal skills. The TRU PBSC chapter is primarily funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia.
Visit TRU PBSC Website