“It’s common for kids to be told ‘you’ll make a great lawyer one day,’” laughs JD student Karl Furtado. “I was one of those kids. Loquacious, argumentative, and singularly focused on what’s right. Inequity bothered me deeply.” 

What began as a childhood passion for justice has since evolved into a deep commitment to client centred advocacy. Today, as a Juris Doctor candidate at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, Karl is recognized for his outstanding contributions as a Division Leader at Osgoode’s Community and Legal Aid Services Program (CLASP). CLASP operates as a community rooted legal clinic that serves vulnerable and marginalized clients including survivors of violence, individuals experiencing mental health challenges and those with housing insecurity. 

In his role working in CLASP’s Immigration Division as part of the JD’s Clinical Education Program, Karl worked on complex legal cases like humanitarian applications, refugee claims and judicial reviews. He played a pivotal role in achieving life changing outcomes for vulnerable clients, including a successful judicial review that enabled a persecuted individual to remain safely in Canada.

Karl’s commitment to access, dignity and justice extend beyond his case load. During his time at CLASP he became an active presence in the community, volunteering with Homeless Connect, a non-profit that connects individuals with essential services including legal aid. He led outreach initiatives in some of Toronto’s most marginalized neighbourhoods, supporting individuals facing systemic barriers in obtaining identification, accessing social services, and navigating legal processes. 

Within the clinic, Karl’s impact was equally meaningful. He helped foster a collaborative and inclusive environment, initiating team building traditions and supporting volunteer students in developing their own legal skills. 

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"I found my people and rekindled my love for the law."

“For me, it’s about people,” he says simply. “In law school, there is a lot of abstraction about justice and the law and tradition and precedent - sometimes people get lost in the mix. I really enjoy finding out about the people that I go to school with and share time with at the office.”

In addition to re-affirming his sense of purpose and inspiration, Karl’s work-integrated learning experience helped him gain comprehensive experience in client management, legal research, drafting, courtroom advocacy, and community legal education, all while deepening his understanding of the systemic inequities affecting marginalized clients.

Karl has solidified his passion for law and strengthened his commitment to serving both his school and the broader community with connection, humanity and purpose. “CLASP very much redeemed my sense of who I was.” 

His experience embodies the core value of clinical legal education: providing students with direct responsibility for real client matters while instilling the professional practices, ethical grounding and skills essential for effective legal practice. Karl’s ability to engage diverse communities with cultural sensitivity, patience, and empathy reflects his deep dedication to client-centred advocacy. His contributions have left a lasting impact on his clients, colleagues and community.