| Application Deadline: |
21 May 2010 |
| Interview Dates: |
7-9 June 2010 |
| Contact: |
Robert M. Curtis, Q.C. |
Firm's View on Articling Students
McCuaig Desrochers LLP considers the recruitment and training of articling students one of our highest priorities. Our goal is to hire students who will become associates and, hopefully, partners.
Type of Work
McCuaig Desrochers LLP is a mid-sized, full service law firm. As such, our practice areas include aboriginal law, corporate/commercial law, employment law, immigration and citizenship, labour law, litigation, municipal law, real estate, administrative law, family law, intellectual property, landlord and tenant, mediation and alternative dispute resolution, personal injury, wills and estate law.
The Articling Experience at McCuaig Desrochers LLP
Type of Articling
We expect our articling students to continue their formal education within the context of the law firm environment, and to become exposed to the highest possible range of legal subject matters, various alternatives for dispute resolution, appropriate business practices, and ethical standards. Students will receive assignments from all members of the firm, coordinated and closely guided by their principal. We pride ourselves on an "open-door" policy, and students will have the opportunity to develop their own skills and interests by drawing on the diverse expertise of all practitioners.
Because we look upon the articling process as one of making an investment in the firm's future as well as the student's, we place the focus on education and obtaining experience. The student will have considerable client contact and courtroom experience, as well as preparing research memoranda.
CPLED
We are also committed to providing the student with adequate time to fulfill the requirements of the Law Society, including the CPLED course. As a McCuaig Desrochers' associate explains:
As the time required to complete the CPLED assignments varies each week, McCuaig Desrochers' approach is perfectly suited. The flexibility and support received by all lawyers in the firm ensures that you manage both your work and CPLED commitments.
Continuing Education
We recognize that a professional education never ends. We have a formal mentorship program which matches all associates, following their admission to the bar, with partners of their choosing. Associates are encouraged to continue their legal education while engaging in general practice and perhaps developing one or more areas of concentration. We have universal membership in the Canadian Bar Association and encourage participation in sub-sections and pertinent seminars.
Candidate Qualifications
McCuaig Desrochers LLP is a firm deeply rooted in the Edmonton community. We are looking for students who either already have, or are willing to develop, strong ties to our community.
We are looking for potential future partners, colleagues who are intelligent, hard-working, and dedicated. Maturity is as valuable as youthful exuberance. Experiences outside of the law or formal education are important to us.
A strong academic record is equally important. Each year we find that those candidates chosen for interview, usually have an above-average academic standing.
Ability in another language or another discipline is an asset. We have several practitioners with an extensive Franco-Canadian practice, as well as staff to support that practice.
Court Students Welcome
Many of our partners and associates articled with the Alberta Courts or the Supreme Court of Canada. We encourage applications from those who have elected this option, and will tailor our articling program accordingly.
The Application Process
We subscribe to the Law Society's regimen for the recruitment process. In 2010, the prescribed interview period commences June 7th.
We carefully screen each application we receive. We regret that we cannot grant personal interviews to all of our applicants, but in order to ensure some consistency in the application process, we request that ALL applications for an articling position contain the following minimal information: