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Avenue
Black and Indigenous Undergraduate Law Internship Program

Now in its fourth year, Avenue is an annual internship program to help Black and/or Indigenous undergraduate students in Canada gain real-world experience in the legal industry. It provides individuals who may be interested in a legal career with an opportunity to build their resumes and create a professional network – all while getting paid.

This 12-week internship program is designed to provide a pathway to help you learn about careers in law and receive professional guidance and mentorship to support your next career steps or application to law school.

Why apply to Avenue?

  • Learn about the legal profession: Increase your knowledge of the practice of law, including what it means to work in a law firm or as an in-house lawyer in a Canadian company, and learn about the variety of roles available to law school graduates.
  • Professional work experience: Build up your resume with a full-time paid internship at a participating organization in Canada. Over a period of 12 or more weeks, you will take on meaningful professional work that enhances your business acumen and your understanding of the practice of law.
  • Leadership development and networking: Throughout your internship, the Legal Leaders for Diversity and Inclusion (LLD), the Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion Network (LFDIN) and other partner organizations will provide leadership and skill-building programs. Through this training, you will be able to connect with other interns as well as individuals in the legal profession and build your network in Canada’s competitive legal industry.
  • Mentorship: During your internship, you will be paired with a mentor within your placement organization who will provide guidance and advice, enriching your understanding of the legal industry.
  • Financial support: In addition to receiving a competitive salary of $21/hour during your internship, if you enroll in an LSAT preparation program or apply to law school within three years from the end of your summer internship, you will receive a grant of up to $3,000 to cover the cost of your LSAT preparation course or law school expenses.

Who Can Apply?

If you identify as Black and/or Indigenous, are enrolled in or have recently completed an undergraduate program in Canada, and are considering a career in law, you are encouraged to apply.

Find out more

Avenue was developed as a collaborative effort by various Canadian law firms and organizations in partnership with LLD and the LFDIN, with the support of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL), the Ontario Bar Association (OBA), Black Future Lawyers (BFL) and the Indigenous Bar Association (IBA). See the list of participating law firms and organizations here.

About LLD: Legal Leaders for Diversity and Inclusion (LLD) is a group of Canadian General Counsel from coast to coast who have declared their support and commitment for creating a more inclusive legal profession as well as supporting diversity initiatives within our organizations.

About LFDIN: Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion Network (LFDIN) is a group of law firms in Canada that are working together to promote diversity and encourage a culture of inclusion in their firms and the broader legal profession. Diversity and inclusion are core values of LFDIN members, and its members believe that valuing and enhancing diversity and inclusion will help them attract and retain the best talent and better serve clients’ needs in an evolving global marketplace.