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    New downtown digs for Queen's legal clinics

    • [Dean Flanagan and Principal Woolf]
      Faculty of Law Dean Bill Flanagan and Principal Daniel Woolf address a full crowd at the official opening of the Queen's Law Clinics in downtown Kingston.
    • [The Hon. Gordon Sedgwick and Art Cockfield]
      The Hon. Gordon Sedgwick and Queen's law professor Art Cockfield catch up at the opening of the Queen's Law Clinics.
    • [Rachel Floyd and Colin Wright]
      Rachel Floyd, Law'16, who works in the Prison Law Clinic, chats with Colin Wright, the independent chairperson at Joyceville Institution.
    • [Karla McGrath and Judi Beaman]
      Karla McGrath (left), LLM'13, director of the Queen's Family Law Clinic, discusses her work with Judi Beaman, Law'75.
    • [Tanya Lee]
      Tanya Lee, Director, Policies and Programs, Law Foundation of Ontario, participated in the grand opening. The clinics receive generous financial support from LFO, Legal Aid Ontario and private donors.

    The university’s five legal clinics now occupy the top floor of the LaSalle Mews Building in downtown Kingston. The sleek, modern space feels like a professional law office, which is by design, according to Bill Flanagan, Dean, Queen’s Faculty of Law.

    “Working in a law office setting under the close supervision of review counsel will prepare students for the challenges, and responsibility, of representing real clients with real legal problems while developing good judgment,” he says.

    The Queen’s Law Clinics co-locates five individual clinics – Queen’s Legal Aid (QLA) and the Queen’s Business Law Clinic, Elder Law, Family Law and Prison Law clinics – in a location that is central for many clients. The offices occupy the 6,000-square-foot top floor of the building at 303 Bagot St. and feature 12 offices for lawyers and staff, four interview rooms, a meeting room that doubles as a classroom, and 24 student workstations.

    The student workroom is bright and spacious with comfortable furniture. Several rooms offer stunning views of the downtown, Fort Henry and Lake Ontario. While the office is an attractive place to work and meet with clients, Queen’s Law Clinics offers additional benefits for the students’ growth and development as legal professionals.

    “For students, the co-location will facilitate the sharing of knowledge, best practices and creative problem solving in a learning environment that prides itself on high-quality legal services,” Dean Flanagan says.

    The Faculty of Law held an official opening on Jan. 29 where community leaders toured the space and learned more about the positive impact Queen’s students have on local residents, businesses and organizations.

    The clinics, which provide students with a broad range of experiential learning opportunities, receive financial support from Legal Aid Ontario, the Law Foundation of Ontario, and private donors. In particular, a class gift from Law’81 provides annual funding to enhance programs and support special projects for the clinical programs.

    Queen’s Faculty of Law is a top-tier Canadian law school that develops outstanding and innovative legal professionals. Unique experiential learning opportunities allow students to immerse themselves in an environment that fosters not only learning but also the spirit of giving back.

    Visit the Faculty of Law website for more information about each clinic and the services they provide.