Landlord’s Self-Help Centre Engages Paralegal Students in Insightful Presentation
HLOs: 
Paralegal Studies students gained valuable real-world insights during a presentation by the Landlord’s Self-Help Centre (LSHC), an Ontario Legal Aid Clinic, in their PLBA 2503: Residential Landlord and Tenant Law
The session, led by LSHC Executive Director and Paralegal Studies graduate Diana Padierna, alongside third-year student and LSHC intern Aysha Patel, provided students with an in-depth look at the clinic’s mission and operations.
Diana outlined the LSHC’s role as a specialty legal clinic funded by Legal Aid Ontario, which focuses on educating small-scale, income-limited landlords about rental process challenges, offering summary legal advice, and facilitating referrals when necessary. Additionally, the clinic engages in law reform advocacy, fosters a support network for landlords and service providers, and manages a membership program. A key resource in its outreach efforts is its website, which serves as an educational hub on residential tenancy policies and practices affecting landlords.
Aysha Patel spoke about her participation in the LSHC’s student intern program. She provided insight into a “day in the life” of a student working at the clinic. She spoke about being part of the community legal worker team operating in a fast-paced, high-volume setting. The importance of the clinic's work is confirmed by the Landlord Self-Help Centre’s figures, which count more than 18,000 small landlords assisted by the clinic each year. Students learned about her diverse roles as a student caseworker, legal advisor, and legal researcher. They also learned about the timing of the placement that commences during a degree student’s second year of studies and continues throughout their third year. Current second-year students were informed about the LSHC’s imminent recruitment for the next internship, with opportunities to connect directly with Diana for further details.
Professor Andrij Kowalsky, who teaches the course, noted that the presentation underscored the vital role paralegals can play in advancing access to justice through community legal clinics. He praised the session as an example of how Humber Polytechnic inspires brilliance amongst its students — one industry presentation at a time.
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