Even in an era of specialization, it is important for new lawyers to have a broad foundation of exposure to many different areas of the law. Our articling program gives students an opportunity to explore a broad range of areas of the law during the articling year. We also attempt to take students’ specific interests into consideration to provide an opportunity to develop areas of personal legal interest.
During the articling program students work closely on more complex projects which may include civil motions, trials, administrative hearings, and labour arbitrations, as well as mediation and arbitration hearings, and a range of corporate transactions. They are encouraged to function as independently as possible, taking into consideration their own comfort level and that of their supervising lawyer. They also handle Small Claims Court files from start to finish, where they are expected to meet with clients, develop a management plan and see the file through to completion.
Our Articling program in London runs from the beginning of August to the beginning of June (10 months). All of our 2022/2023 Articling Students positions have been filled.
Program Rotation
Articling students in London are divided into three rotations: Business Services Division, Personal Services Division and Class Actions. This structure allows the students the opportunity to work in different practice areas and with a variety of different lawyers and staff.
Personal Services
Business Services
Student Lecture Series
During the articling year, a series of skill and knowledge building sessions are arranged on a variety of subjects. The topics cover all of our areas of practices as well as practice management. There are approximately 35 skill- and knowledge-building sessions throughout the year. Beyond providing valuable information, these sessions give our students a great opportunity to meet with many of Siskinds’ top lawyers in a small group setting.
Feedback and Mentoring
Each student is assigned both a senior mentor and a junior mentor tasked with guiding the student’s integration into the firm. This mentoring team meets regularly with the student to discuss and monitor workload, feedback and the student’s exposure to the areas of law within the various departments.
Hire-Back Procedures
In early spring, the Articling Committee presents its recommendations to firm management. We have historically extended hire-back offers in mid-April.
Compensation & Benefits
Our London articling students receive a salary that is at the upper end of the pay scale for London firms.
Compensation
For the 2022-2023 articling term, the weekly salary is $1,000. In addition to receiving their salary during articles, students will also be paid for 15 days while they are studying for and writing their licensing examinations.
Law Society Process Fees
The firm pays the LSO processing and the Call to the Bar fees for students if they are hired back as associate lawyers. For those students hired back in litigation practices, Siskinds will also pay for their robes.
Fitness
We support and encourage the physical well-being of all members of the firm. As such, we offer a fitness credit to all articling students, which may be applied towards an annual fitness membership or class.
Our London office
Our 65,000-square-foot office, located in the City Centre Towers offers a technologically advanced environment. Comfort, efficiency and ease-of-use are priorities in the hardware, software, processes, policies and furnishings that comprise our overall workspace.
Apply
Siskinds’ London office abides by the recruitment procedures set out by the Law Society of Ontario.
Applications are accepted through the viLawPortal and should be addressed to the Articling Committee.
Thank you for your interest in our Articling Program, we have filled all of our 2022/2023 Articling Students positions.
Articling Committee
Christopher Sinal
Michael Polvere
Jill McCartney
Anna Szczurko