CARL Shadowing Program
What is the Shadowing Program?
Started in 2021, CARL has launched a Shadowing Program to provide short-term mentorship opportunities for lawyers entering the practice of immigration and refugee law. The twin goals of the Shadowing Program are to expand peer mentorship opportunities among CARL members, and to allow junior lawyers and law students to observe proceedings with which they are unfamiliar, to assist them in preparing for their own matters.
CARL will pair experienced refugee lawyers with recently called lawyers, law students, or experienced lawyers who are new to the practice of immigration and refugee law.
Experienced lawyers will:
- Invite the shadowing lawyers and law students to attend one of their future Federal Court hearings. Due to COVID-19 this will be limited to online proceedings.
- Host a post-hearing conversation with the shadowing lawyers and law students to discuss Federal Court advocacy. The follow-up conversation is an opportunity to share advice on topics such as: appearing before the Federal Court, oral and written advocacy strategies, and matter-specific tips.
How to Apply as an Experienced Lawyer to Host Shadowing Lawyers and Law Students
- Hosting lawyers agree to be paired with up to two shadowing lawyers or law students per each hearing.
- Hosting lawyers should have at least 3 years of experience practicing immigration or refugee law.
- To apply to be a hosting lawyer, please complete the following form: Hosting Lawyers Registration
How to Apply as Shadowing Lawyers or Students
- Individuals eligible to shadow experienced lawyers can include recently called lawyers, law students, and experienced lawyers who are new to the practice of immigration and refugee law.
- Shadowing lawyers and law students must be current CARL members.
- If you are interested in attending a specific type of matter, such as a stay motion, CARL will make best efforts to match you to a lawyer with a relevant hearing.
- To apply to be a shadowing lawyer or law student, please complete the following form: Lawyers/Students Registration
Future Plans
The current CARL Shadowing Program is being piloted solely for Federal Court Hearings. CARL hopes to incorporate the lessons from this pilot phase and then expand the program to IRB hearings that are open to the public.