Our student programs help clerks and summer students identify the areas of law in which they would like to practice. Helping students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to work in our firm is one of the goals of our programs. Stimulating and challenging work is important to legal education. We recognize that our articled clerks and summer students are with us to learn, so we ensure that they receive assignments reflective of our practice. Under our rotation system, our students spend time getting exposure to all areas of law.
We believe in hard work. However, we also feel it is important to balance professional lives with sensible lifestyles. Our articled clerks work hard and we feel that it is important to develop work patterns that allow sufficient time for family and outside interests. Regular social events are also an important element in developing a relationship between lawyers, staff, articled clerks and summer students.
At Stewart McKelvey, we hire the best and brightest from across the country to ensure we preserve the quality our clients deserve and have come to expect. The articling experience sets the groundwork for your career, and through our specialized articling program we believe that you will receive the experience and opportunity needed to succeed as a lawyer.
Expectations
Through active participation in client meetings, mediations, examinations for discovery and trials, we are able to accurately assess an individual’s potential while providing one of the most practical articling experiences in Atlantic Canada. Students are given the opportunity to work and interact with many of our lawyers, and benefit from the guidance of mentors. Work is assigned individually by each lawyer and is not allocated from a central source. This is consistent with the firm’s culture of independence. Lawyers interact directly with the clerks to discuss and clarify issues, as well as to provide feedback. Helping students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to work in our firm is also a goal of our programs.
We ensure that each student derives the maximum benefit from articling with the firm by providing practical advice on firm expectations and how to handle difficult situations in a professional manner. Each of our offices also has a students’ committee that responds to any problems or concerns that may arise on a day-to-day basis.
To assess the potential to be a practicing lawyer in our firm, we look at each student’s legal and personal skills, including: legal analysis, knowledge of the law, problem recognition and solving, written and verbal communication skills, work ethic and judgment.
Commitment to our Clients
At Stewart McKelvey, we feel privileged to serve our clients. We feel that each client deserves our utmost attention. We are committed to working with them to find the most effective resolution for their problems. We recognize that all of our clients’ concerns are important and we are prepared to make the necessary commitments to get the job done. Our articled clerks and summer students form an integral part of our professional legal team.
Compensation and Benefits
We offer competitive salaries to articled clerks and summer students. Articled clerks also receive a comprehensive benefit package and paid vacation. Bar filing fees and bar admission course and materials fees are covered as well.