The Articling Experience at Shell Lawyers
At Shell Lawyers articling students are an integral part of ‘the file’ and have opportunities for hands on learning and a great deal of independent management and preparation of cases for hearings.
Shell Lawyers is not a firm that requires students to write legal memoranda upon legal memoranda on files that they know nothing about. Articling students do research on files that they have a real involvement in, from the initial client contact, to preparing for hearings, to attending and assisting with arbitrations or court proceedings. Students are encouraged to be one of the primary contacts with clients and have regular and welcomed access to their principal. Independent thought and initiative are encouraged at Shell Lawyers and students are invited to provide their input on how a file should be managed, how a theory of a case should be developed, what research is needed, etc.
At Shell Lawyers the work environment and the values of the people working at the firm foster a sense of social justice. The firm is committed to the labour movement, to access to justice and to equal rights issues.
Shell Lawyers represents trade unions in a wide array of matters, from the negotiating table to the appellate courts. The firm also represents employees in non-unionized employment matters, professional organizations, equality-seeking groups and others. The team environment at Shell Lawyers encourages independence while providing the student with the opportunity to commit and grow with this boutique firm. The working environment is extremely supportive.
ARTICLING TERM 2009-2010 – ONE POSITION MAY BE AVAILABLE
Shell Lawyers seeks students who have keen analytic skills, excellent oral and written communication, an interest in advancing the labour movement, assisting disability groups and persons with disabilities, advocating on behalf of working people, and promoting social justice.
Students should have a real appreciation for the adversarial process, an interest in litigation and public-speaking and a dedication to our clients’ objectives and needs.
Shell Lawyers may be hiring an articling student for the 2009-2010 articling term. Students are invited to send in their applications and we will keep all applications in the event we proceed to initiate a selection process, which will include attendance at an interview for those who are selected for an interview. We may be interviewing following the articling interview week this summer as set by the Law Society.
Application material should be forwarded by email with attachments in PDF or Word format, whenever possible, to Reanna Deosaran at reanna@shelllawyers.ca.
Applications must include:
1. Resume;
2. Cover letter detailing an interest in the areas of law we have an interest in and explaining why the student would like to article with Shell Lawyers, drawing from the student’s life experiences, work and student experiences, academic interests, career aspirations, etc.;
3. Legal writing sample;
4. All post-secondary education transcripts;
5. Not fewer than 2 letters of reference.
We encourage applications from all qualified candidates including from women, persons with disabilities, members of minority groups, and others who historically experience discrimination in the hiring process and within the legal profession. We also encourage applications from students with diverse backgrounds and cultures and who have fluent language capabilities.
Further inquiries should be addressed to Reanna Deosaran at reanna@shelllawyers.ca or 416 539-0226 ext. #203.
