For almost twenty years, Judge Gregory Rideout has guided law students through the BC Provincial Court’s unique internship program. As the program’s leader since 2007, he has mentored more than 300 third year law students, overseeing all aspects of their term with the Court. 

Former interns often describe the program as the highlight of their legal education. For some, it shaped major career decisions, including changing practice areas or moving to a smaller community. 

Interning with the Court

The Court partners with two law schools to provide an opportunity for third-year students to spend a term working with Provincial Court judges for credit towards their law degree. Students going into third year at UBC’s Peter A. Allard School of Law and Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law apply for this experiential learning program. 

Interns work with judges four days a week. Friday mornings are devoted to a seminar led by a law school faculty member. The interns’ work includes legal research, preparing memoranda, and observing court. They also spend a week travelling with a judge or a judge and court team to attend court in BC’s more remote communities. 

While the students gain insight into judicial decision-making and all aspects of the Provincial Court’s work, the Court benefits from research assistance not otherwise available. 

Judge Colleen Spier, one of the Court’s first interns in 2007, recalls some of the program’s benefits. “It opened my eyes to the challenges faced by, and the relationships formed with, the Indigenous communities served by circuit courts, the important role community plays in developing meaningful justice solutions, the roles and responsibilities of the many members of the court team, and the judges’ considerable workload.”  Combined with an evening ride-a-long with police, she believes these experiences gave her a more complete understanding of what it means to serve the justice system and, more importantly, the people at its heart. 

Long-serving program director and mentor

Judge Rideout’s steady hand has guided the program for almost two decades, through the challenges of the Covid years and recent expansion from one law school to two. He organizes the program’s week-long orientation program and meets with students before their term begins to explain what they can expect. He stays connected with interns throughout the term and mentors those working at the Vancouver Criminal courthouse. 

During this September’s orientation week, Judge Rideout shared lunch with the interns. TRU intern Renée Weisz reports that his passion for the program was unmistakable. “His enthusiasm for the program was contagious,” she says. “It left me feeling profoundly excited to be part of such a prestigious initiative.” She adds, “The program has been the highlight of my law school career.”

Noting Judge Rideout’s dedication to the program’s success and the interns’ well-being, Judge Gene Jamieson, a member of the program’s Advisory Board, calls him the program’s “heart and soul”. “Judge Rideout remains a trusted mentor to many former interns long after they become lawyers”, he says. He notes too, that Judge Rideout’s most treasured gifts over the years have been the group photos of interns that adorn his office.

The roots of Judge Rideout’s commitment to legal education may stem from his own experience. Born in Vancouver, he grew up in Burnaby and obtained a BA from Simon Fraser University before joining the first class at the new University of Victoria Law School in 1975. 

When he made a substantial donation to the law school in 2025, he explained that he valued his education there, especially the way the law school “enveloped students with faculty” so they worked together to achieve shared goals. He added that Dean Murray Fraser had given him money for rent when a student loan payment was late, and he thought a gift to the Dean’s Innovation Fund was a good way to repay that kindness. 

Judge Rideout became a lawyer in 1979 and spent 25 years practicing criminal (both defense and prosecution), family, and civil law in Lower Mainland courts.  He was active in local and provincial bar associations, worked with the Lawyers Assistance Program, and served as an elected Bencher of the Law Society, the profession’s governing body. In 2005 he was appointed a judge and assigned to the Vancouver courts. 

A 2006 article in The Advocate magazine said the new judge “believes strongly in the professionalism of counsel and expects lawyers to conduct themselves with integrity and courtesy as officers of the court. Being well prepared, thoroughly knowledgeable, precise and to the point are traits that will be appreciated by his Honour.” In the judicial internship program, Judge Rideout and other judges impart these values and skills to future lawyers. 

Chief Judge Melissa Gillespie observes that few judges have left a legacy beyond the courtroom like that of Judge Rideout. “Through his many years leading the Judicial Internship Program, he opened the doors of the Court, providing law students with an invaluable introduction to the justice system. With his infectious enthusiasm, attention to details, and genuine commitment to mentoring, he inspired generations of future lawyers to approach their profession with integrity and care. The success of the program and the many careers it has influenced stand as a testament to his generosity and dedication.” 

Law Intern Program