From classroom to courtroom: A co-op student’s impact in community law
Kelsey Mills turned curiosity into action, gaining hands-on legal experience while advancing access to justice through Waterloo’s Co-op for Social Good program.
By: Matthew King
Kelsey Mills didn’t just learn about the law in a classroom. She lived it.
A third-year Legal Studies and Philosophy student in the University of Waterloo co-op program, Mills set out to explore different legal paths before applying to law school. That curiosity led her to Waterloo Region Community Legal Services, where she discovered a field she hadn’t considered before: poverty law.
At the clinic, Mills supported clients who could not otherwise afford legal representation. She worked on cases spanning housing, immigration, employment and social assistance, with much of her time focused on housing law. That included advocating for tenants facing eviction, work she describes as essential to ensuring access to justice in the region.
“It really introduced me to a whole new side of law,” Mills says.
“You’re working with people who are in survival mode. They don’t have the time or resources to fight for themselves.”
Across two co-op terms, Mills took on responsibilities that went far beyond observation. She conducted legal research, drafted affidavits and applications, interviewed clients and maintained ongoing communication with them.
In one major case involving a local encampment, she met directly with clients, built trust and contributed to a year-long legal process from early stages to its conclusion.
Kelsey Mills, third-year Legal Studies and Philosophy co-op student
The work Kelsey accomplished is the kind of work I would expect of an articling student, someone who'd already completed law school. She was doing it at an undergraduate level, which is really impressive.
“It made me realize I’m on the right path,” Mills says. “I’m already doing the kind of work I want to do as a lawyer.”
Turning experience into impact
The Co-op for Social Good program funded Mills' second work term, enabling her to continue contributing to work she deeply cared about. Designed to support roles that create meaningful community impact, it also made a difference for the clinic itself.
“This is exactly what social good looks like,” Mills says. “Fighting for people who otherwise wouldn’t have that chance.”
The impact of her co-op extended beyond the workplace and into the classroom. After her first term, Mills returned to campus and enrolled in a human rights course that immediately connected to her hands-on experience.
“That was a full-circle moment,” Mills explains. “Everything just clicked.”
Now, as she looks ahead to future co-op terms and eventually law school, Mills carries more than technical skills. She brings a clear sense of purpose that her experiences helped define.
Ashley Schuitema, Executive Director at Waterloo Region Community Legal Services
She plans to explore other areas of law, including family law, but her time in community legal services set a strong foundation. It has shown her not only how the legal system works, but why it matters.
"Her contributions were invaluable — from very small, mundane tasks to very complex ones. I'm so grateful for the support she gave us," Schuitema says.
For Mills, co-op was never just about gaining experience. It was about making a difference and discovering where she can do the most good.