The Ian Scott Public Interest Internship Program provides funding to students who attain summer employment at a public interest organization such as a legal aid clinic, advocacy organization or nongovernmental organization. Preference is given to students whose work is unpaid or underpaid. Recipients must demonstrate consistent high academic achievement and financial need. The award is restricted to students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
About Ian Scott, OC
One of Osgoode’s most distinguished alumni, Ian Scott graduated from the LLB program in 1959 and received an honorary doctorate in 1997. He served as a Liberal MPP in Ontario and held key cabinet posts, including Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs. During his time as Attorney General (1985-1990), he was responsible for the first pay equity legislation in North America, amendments to the Ontario Human Rights Code that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and major reforms of the Ontario court system. In 2006, Osgoode named its public interest internship program in Ian Scott’s honour. Two law firms where Scott had practised – Gowlings and Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP – as well as a group of Scott’s friends generously support the program. The Law School also designates funds to support current students pursuing public-interest initiatives and to honour an alumnus who made extraordinary contributions to Ontario’s legal landscape.
Friends of The Honourable Ian Scott, Q.C. Award
Ian Scott graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1959 and went on to become a leading advocate, politician and Attorney General of Ontario. He excelled in public interest litigation in which he advanced the development of today’s administrative law principles. He led the way on important reforms, and he had enormous enthusiasm, tremendous integrity and outstanding wit. This award is available to students who attain summer employment at a public interest organization such as a legal aid clinic, advocacy organization or non-governmental organization. Preference will be given to a student who is working unpaid or underpaid. Recipient must demonstrate consistent high academic achievement and financial need. The award is restricted to students who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons and residents of Ontario.
Gowling WLG Award
This award was established in 2005 to celebrate the merger of two highly respected Toronto law firms, Gowling Lafleur Henderson and Smith Lyons. It also pays tribute to The Honourable Ian Scott, a former partner of Gowlings. The award will be given annually to students who have been accepted into The Honourable Ian Scott Public Interest Internship Program where they will undertake summer employment at a public interest organization. Preference will be given to students who are working unpaid or underpaid. Recipients must demonstrate consistent high academic achievement and financial need. The award is restricted to students who are Canadian citizens/permanent residents/protected persons and residents of Ontario.
Andrew M. Lawson ’55 Award
This award is available to students who attain summer employment at a public interest organization such as a legal aid clinic, advocacy organization or non-governmental organization. Preference will be given to a student who is working unpaid or underpaid. Recipient must demonstrate consistent high academic achievement and financial need. The award is restricted to students who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons and residents of Ontario. Andrew Lawson spent his career delivering legal services to the needy. He was the first Director of the Ontario Legal Plan from 1967 until his retirement in 1988.
Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP Award
The firm of Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP established this award to honour its friend, Ian Scott, and to assist a student(s) who intends to pursue a career in public law. Ian Scott (LLB 1959)was a barrister, a politician and a legal educator. In each of his careers, he set high standards of achievement with integrity and commitment. This award is available to students who attain summer employment at a public interest organization such as a legal aid clinic, advocacy organization or nongovernmental organization. Preference will be given to a student who is working unpaid or underpaid. Recipient must demonstrate consistent high academic achievement and financial need. The award is restricted to students who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons and residents of Ontario.
In addition to the donors who have given to the awards above, The Law Foundation of Ontario generously provides annual funding for this program.