Osgoode Hall Law School at York University announces the establishment of the Osgoode Access to Justice Fund (A2J Fund), an initiative combining philanthropic and institutional support to strengthen access-to-justice research and expand opportunities for students pursuing public-interest legal careers.
The $1 million A2J Fund is made possible by a generous gift from the Raj Anand and Lesley Valentine-Anand Foundation with matching funds from Osgoode Hall Law School. This combined investment will finance a new research fellowship at the Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) and student internships, advancing access to justice and providing hands-on opportunities for Osgoode students.
"The leadership provided by the Raj Anand and Lesley Valentine-Anand Foundation through this generous gift reflects a shared commitment to access to justice and builds on Osgoode's longstanding leadership in this area," says Dean Trevor Farrow of Osgoode Hall Law School. "At this critical time for the rule of law and justice, we are delighted to work with the LCO to support important research and to create these valuable opportunities for our students."
"Lawyers occupy a place of privilege in society and in our justice system," says Raj Anand. "In return, they can make a concrete contribution in both domains by breaking down longstanding obstacles to society's access to justice. I am fortunate to partner with the LCO and Osgoode, two centres of excellence and innovation in access to justice, whose initiative will employ several interrelated strategies toward this end: creation of a new research fellowship at the LCO, and support for student education, mentorship, community engagement and the opportunity to provide access to justice as a future career."
The Osgoode Access to Justice Fund will support two key programs:
The Raj Anand and LCO Access to Justice Research Fellowship
Beginning in 2026, the Fund will support a new research fellowship housed at the LCO. Open to academics, legal professionals and postdoctoral researchers, fellows will undertake applied law-reform research at the LCO, contribute to public projects and initiatives and engage with Osgoode's scholarly community. Where appropriate, fellows will also mentor Osgoode students, strengthening the connection between legal scholarship, policy development and professional training.
Osgoode Access to Justice Internships
The Fund will also establish the Osgoode Access to Justice Internships, providing Osgoode JD students with financial support to pursue summer placements at public-interest organizations -- including legal clinics, non-profits and NGOs -- that work to advance access to justice. These placements will enable students to gain practical experience in under-resourced but high-impact legal environments.
"At a time when many communities continue to face systemic barriers to legal services, this important collaboration between the Foundation, Osgoode and the LCO strengthens the connection between research, policy and practice, while supporting the next generation of justice-focused legal professionals," says Executive Director of the LCO Nye Thomas.
To encourage additional support, Osgoode Hall Law School will match the first $50,000 in new donations from alumni and friends to the Access to Justice Fund, doubling the impact of gifts in support of access-to-justice research and student opportunities.
To make a donation, please email Osgoode Director of Development Jana Skyers at jskyers@osgoode.yorku.ca.
About the Law Commission of Ontario
The LCO is Ontario's leading independent law reform agency. Located at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, the LCO develops practical, evidence-based recommendations through rigorous research and public engagement, with the goal of improving the accessibility, effectiveness, and fairness of Ontario's laws.
