Business Details
Free Legal Services in Toronto
Downtown Legal Services has been providing free legal assistance to low-income communities and University of Toronto students for over five decades. As a clinical education program operated by the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto, we combine practical legal support with hands-on training for future lawyers. Our team of 140 law students, supervised by expert staff lawyers, serves over 2,000 individuals annually through direct representation, community outreach, and public legal education initiatives.We maintain a client-centered approach while fostering professional development in an intellectually rigorous environment. Our services extend beyond individual cases through advocacy partnerships and workshops addressing systemic legal issues. Located at 655 Spadina Avenue, we offer specialized support in seven key legal areas while maintaining a commitment to accessibility and justice. Our satellite clinic at Evangel Mission expands our reach to underserved populations in community settings.
Services
Criminal Law
Refugee Immigration
Employment Law
Housing Law
Family Law
Disability Law
University Affairs
Highlights and features
- We offer 50+ years of legal service experience combined with academic expertise
- Our expert staff supervises law students providing high-quality legal representation
- We serve over 2,000 clients annually through our community-focused legal programs
- We provide both individual legal representation and systemic advocacy initiatives
- Our satellite clinic model expands access to justice in underserved communities
What people say
Practical solutions
Client-centred services
Fighting chance
Warm thank you
Successful lawyers
Services
Criminal Law
We represent individuals charged with summary conviction offences at 10 Armoury Street courthouse. Our services include court attendance from initial appearances to trial resolution. We focus on cases where Legal Aid was denied and the Crown isn't seeking jail time. Our student lawyers, supervised by experienced attorneys, handle all court proceedings including guilty pleas and trials.
Refugee Immigration
Our division specializes in refugee and immigration litigation before the Immigration and Refugee Board and Federal Court. We handle Pre-Removal Risk Assessments, Ministerial Relief Applications, and Humanitarian and Compassionate Applications. We collaborate with community partners for public legal education while advocating for fair immigration policies. We cannot assist with family class sponsorships or detention reviews.
Employment Law
We represent workers in employment standards violations and wrongful dismissal cases under $25,000. Our services include Ministry of Labour proceedings for unpaid wages, overtime, and termination pay. We handle Human Rights Tribunal cases for workplace discrimination and Social Security Tribunal claims for denied Employment Insurance benefits. We don't represent unionized workers or handle occupational health and safety issues.
Housing Law
We assist tenants with rent disputes, eviction prevention, and housing maintenance issues. Our services include Landlord and Tenant Board representation and Human Rights Tribunal cases for housing discrimination. We help enforce compensatory housing orders in Small Claims Court. We don't assist with social housing rent geared-to-income issues or landlord-tenant disputes between tenants.
Family Law
Our family law division provides advice on custody, access, child support, and restraining orders. We offer summary advice, negotiation services, and court representation at North Toronto Family Court. We cannot assist with divorce proceedings, property division, or child protection cases involving Children's Aid Societies. We provide resources to help clients understand family court processes.
People
Prasanna Balasundaram
Director
As Director of Downtown Legal Services, Prasanna Balasundaram oversees the strategic direction and operations of Toronto's longest-running community legal clinic. With extensive experience in legal education and community advocacy, he leads a team of supervising lawyers and 140 law students who serve over 2,000 clients annually.
Asiya Hirji
Supervising Lawyer, Refugee and Immigration
Asiya Hirji specializes in Canadian immigration law with a focus on litigation before the Immigration and Refugee Board and Federal Court. She advocates for low-income individuals' access to justice, handling complex cases involving pre-removal risk assessments and humanitarian applications. Called to the Ontario Bar in 2009, she combines legal expertise with community education efforts.
Jennifer Fehr
Supervising Lawyer, Employment Law
Jennifer Fehr leads our employment law division, representing workers in employment standards violations and wrongful dismissal claims. With deep knowledge of the Employment Standards Act and Human Rights Code, she ensures fair workplace treatment for vulnerable workers. She supervises law students while maintaining a strong commitment to workers' rights advocacy.
Seema Kawar
Supervising Lawyer, Criminal Law
Seema Kawar supervises criminal law cases at Downtown Legal Services, focusing on summary conviction offences. She mentors law students while representing clients in Toronto's criminal courts. Her practice emphasizes access to justice for marginalized individuals facing charges related to assault, theft, and other non-jail-bound offences.
Richard Teicher
Supervising Lawyer, Family Law
Richard Teicher oversees our family law services, guiding clients through custody, access, and support matters. He provides strategic legal advice while supervising law students in family court proceedings. His practice focuses on helping low-income individuals navigate complex family law issues at North Toronto Family Court.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialize in?
We specialize in seven key areas: criminal law, refugee and immigration law, employment law, housing law, family law, disability law, and university affairs. Each area is staffed by experienced supervising lawyers and law students.
Who qualifies for your legal services?
Our services are available to low-income Toronto residents and University of Toronto students. We cannot assist with family class sponsorships, detention reviews, or cases involving social housing rent geared-to-income issues.
How can I request legal assistance?
You can contact us through our online form or intake line for housing and employment inquiries. For other legal matters, visit our clinic at 655 Spadina Avenue during operating hours or attend our drop-in appointments at 230 College Street.
Do you offer notary services?
Yes, we provide notary and affidavit services for a small fee. These services are available through our administrative team at our main clinic location.
How does your clinical education program work?
Our program trains 140 law students annually under expert supervision. Students gain practical experience handling real cases while providing free legal services to the community, combining education with direct client representation.
Do you offer public legal education workshops?
Yes, we regularly conduct public legal education workshops on various topics. We also participate in community forums and collaborate on advocacy initiatives addressing systemic legal issues affecting our client communities.
