Articling

We recruit articling students every year. These articling students are recruited in their second year of university and are eligible to begin articling after having completed their studies at the École du Barreau du Québec (Québec Bar School).

We choose our articling students–and they choose us–because we believe our new colleagues will quickly become part of our team and play an active role for a long time. We provide training, supervision and guidance for our young recruits with the goal of having them pursue a rich and successful career with us. Why use this approach? Because it is to our mutual advantage.

As soon as they arrive, our summer students and articling students are given a week of training. We show them the office, office operation, administrative rules and familiarize them with our computer equipment and software. We also teach them which work methods are best for interactions with internal and external clients, doing research, drafting documents, managing their time and using the resources at their disposal. This training is mainly provided by our lawyers.

Each summer student and articling student is unique and has his or her own ambitions. Each is given customized guidance, training and supervision. For this purpose, a mentor responsible for providing guidance and help on a professional and personal level is assigned to each summer student and articling student.

Summer students and articling students in our firm are thrust into the action. They participate in large cases by doing research, drafting proceedings and contracts, and accompanying lawyers when they meet with clients or go to court. They contribute to internal meetings and social activities. They must use their judgment and voice their opinion on files in which they are involved. Later, in their first year of practice, they take charge of their own files.

We seek candidates that show initiative, autonomy, people skills and ambition. We believe that the best way to develop such qualities in our recruits is to show our faith in them by giving them real responsibilities.

As lawyers in private practice, our primary objective is to provide the best possible service to our clients by answering their needs in an efficient, useful and pragmatic manner. Private practice is by nature stimulating and challenges us to excellence. Teamwork is very important and helping each other a necessity. Everyone’s door is always open and experienced lawyers are keen to provide guidance to more junior colleagues. Hierarchy is virtually nonexistent and the atmosphere at work is relaxed and friendly.

Being lawyers in private practice also means that we at times have to work exceptionally hard to serve our clients to address urgent or critical situations in bursts of intense and prolonged work.

Nevertheless, respecting everyone’s private life and the work-life balance are values we cherish. We promote these values with a reasonable and fair objective of annual billable hours that has always been met by our young lawyers.

Our summer students and articling students work in well-equipped and pleasant offices.

Our computer services, libraries, and technicians (paralegals, computer technicians and others) are here to support them in their work.

Our summer students and articling students receive competitive salaries.