Ogilvie LLP Barristers & Solicitors

CAREERS

Articling

 

Frequently Asked Questions
What are the components of the Ogilvie articling program?

The Ogilvie LLP articling program involves three rotations of approximately three months each in the areas of:

The balance of the articling year is consumed with an orientation week, bar admission courses and holidays.

In addition to your principal, who will supervise one rotation, you will be assigned a mentor in each of the other rotations to supervise and work with you.

What type of work will I do?

In the Litigation and Administrative Law rotation, you will have an opportunity to do legal research, prepare pleadings, speak to trial and appeal lists, attend client interviews, examinations for discovery, hearings and trial. You will make appearances in provincial court and chambers. You may have the opportunity to attend and assist your supervisor at a trial or hearing. As the litigation process is lengthy, you will, if you remain with the firm and have an interest in litigation, have the opportunity to work on a file to its conclusion.

In the Business Law rotation, you will assist in the preparation of documentation, perform various searches and familiarize yourself with checklists, closing agendas, governmental regulations, etc. You will assist in the documentation of the purchase or sale of a business, preparation or review of commercial leases and the incorporation and organization of an Alberta Business Corporation.

The Real Estate rotation allows you to have charge of files and meet clients more often than in the other two rotations. You will be responsible for the preparation of documents pertaining to the purchase and sale of residential real estate as well as attending on clients to execute documents. You will also prepare wills and related documents and assist in the administration of an estate.

What is Ogilvie looking for in a student?

The short answer is a future partner. We have always hired students with the anticipation that they would be retained as associates.

How do you become a partner?

After six years of successful practice, associates are considered for partnership. A partner is expected to have a sufficient book of work to support a practice. We have associates who choose not to assume the risks and responsibilities of partnership and continue as senior associates. At Ogilvie LLP, we pride ourselves on our flexibility to accommodate variations in the way a partner or associate desires to practice.

Will I have to keep time and work a minimum number of billable hours?

As an articling student, you will not be required to bill a minimum number of hours. You will be required to record your time, both billable and non-billable. Once you become an associate, time recording is a mandatory process. Associates and partners are expected to bill 1,500 hours. To be a successful lawyer in private practice, it is necessary as a student, an associate and a partner to put a substantial number of hours into all aspects of the practice.

How are students compensated?

It is our practice to pay both students and associates competitively with similar sized Edmonton firms. We also cover all costs associated with Bar Admission courses and Law Society memberships. Students and associates are encouraged to participate in the Canadian Bar Association and, if so, their membership fees and section fees will be paid. After three months, students are eligible to participate in Ogilvie's insurance benefit plans. At Ogilvie LLP, we support, and in fact require, continuing education. Students will be given the opportunity to attend courses at the expense of the firm.

Do students get vacations?

An articling student may take two weeks' vacation during the articling year or upon its conclusion. Most often students take a week during the year and a vacation after being admitted. Associates and partners take vacations at their discretion.

Partners and associates are encouraged to lead a balanced life but we recognize that different individuals have different work habits and different holiday preferences.

What will my office be like?

Ogilvie LLP's offices occupy two floors of the Canadian Western Bank builing located in the heart of downtown Edmonton. Each student will have a fully furnished and equipped window office. You will have internet access as well as access to our electronic library, which includes Quick Law and WestlaweCARSWELL. You will have the support of the legal assistant of your principal or mentor during the rotation.

Does Ogilvie have a parental leave policy?

Yes. Historically, we have had a variable policy depending upon the individual's length of service and whether the individual is an associate or a partner. Again, we will strive to meet individual requirements in a tax effective manner.

How many lawyers and staff work at Ogilvie LLP?

Counsel

1

Partners

14

Associates

13

Students

3

Support Staff

61
What's it really like?

Ogilvie LLP takes seriously its responsibility to provide articles to its students and we encourage feedback, good or bad, from our students. We believe the following unsolicited email sent by one of our articling students to his principal speaks to the strenght of our program:

"The thing that impressed me most during my interviews was your answer to my question about how much of a workload there would be. Your answer was that I would be working my butt off. What impressed me was not the content of the answer - I already knew that - but that there was no attempt to sugarcoat it. Ogilvie was the only firm I interviewed at (out of about 17) that gave me a straight answer.

During my recent bar admission courses, it became very apparent that, from my group, I had the widest exposure to different areas of law. My group included students from most of the bigger firms in the city, and by the fourth week it became a running joke that, when the instructor asked us who had done x, y or z, everyone in the room turned to look at me. To anyone who is serious about articling, this should be the most important consideration."