We understand that even if you have had experience in a law firm, every firm is different. If it is all new to you then we want to make your first days at the firm as easy for you as possible. No one expects you to be perfect. Focus on asking questions, communicating with your principal and demonstrating that you are committed to doing a good job for our clients and that you are willing to learn. We will be with you every step of the way guiding and supporting you.
a) Support Team
Your circle of support includes:
- Joel Morris and Mandeep Gill, Co-chairs of our Recruitment Committee, are available to you as a continuing resource during your articles.
- Emilie LeDuc, our Research Lawyer and Director of Professional Development, provides general guidance and support, and is also available to discuss research strategies and substantive legal issues.
- Bryanne Jay, our Student Legal Administrative Assistant, provides secretarial and administrative support to you and can be trusted to point you in the right direction.
- Danielle Brousseau, our Librarian will lead library and research seminars during the year. She and her team are an invaluable resource. They are patient, and they have trained many articling students on what the lawyers expect.
- Every member of our various administrative teams are available to support you in any way they can.
b) Principal
You will be paired with a senior lawyer who will serve in a supervisory role as your principal to ensure you are provided with a quality summer articling experience. Your principal will encourage, support and guide you by:
- monitoring the nature and scope of your workload;
- providing feedback on different ways to approach work and assignments;
- ensuring that you are exposed to a broad spectrum of practice areas;
- providing you with exposure to real-world problem solving;
- reporting to the Law Society of BC on your progress;
- ensuring that you are given the opportunity to work on matters that interest you; and
- engaging with you in discussions surrounding your expectations and ours.
c) Mentoring
Our mentoring program is informal. During any part of your day, you can seek feedback on your work from your principal, or any of our lawyers. Our firm has an open door policy and some of the top lawyers in the country are available to you for guidance in your pursuit of excellence in law. Associates and partners alike welcome the opportunity to work with our students and are available to offer guidance and advice.