Articling

WHAT WE OFFER

Articling at Liberty Law places you with one of the top and most respected criminal law firms in Alberta. We offer our students one of the most comprehensive criminal law articles anywhere in Canada. Those articles include experience in all aspects of criminal law litigation from Provincial Court to the Supreme Court of Canada. Three students who worked with our office in the past clerked for the Supreme Court of Canada; one of those also clerked with the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal.

Our students have the opportunity to be part of at least one major jury trial, appeals in the Court of Appeal, and trials by judge alone. As well, they are given Queen’s Bench chambers and Provincial Court trial experience under supervision. Students are well supported by excellent staff, receive two weeks paid holidays, and a full benefits package along with a competitive salary. We pay all CPLED fees and students are paid their salaries while attending CPLED courses. We commemorate the achievement of completing articles with the purchase of Barristers robes. During the articling year, we may secure a placement for our students with a respected civil law firm in order to provide a well-rounded article and an opportunity to gather a breadth of practice experience.

Finally, we offer our students a terrific place to learn and to do truly interesting work with great people. Historically, we have grown almost exclusively by rewarding outstanding articling students with a career in our firm.

WHAT WE EXPECT

We expect hard work from ourselves and our students. This is to meet the demanding, but also rewarding, rigours of criminal defence work. As anyone doing criminal defence work will tell you, there is no life like it. We also expect initiative, a willingness to learn new skills, and compatibility with the lawyers and staff.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN AN ARTICLING STUDENT

We look for top students who are self-starters and who have a keen interest in the law, particularly in the areas of criminal law, Charter litigation, advocacy, evidence, and related topics. We are particularly looking for students with:

• Strong research and writing skills
• Good academic records in public law subjects at law school
• Public speaking abilities
• Moot Court, Student Legal Services, or equivalent experience or aptitudes
• Diverse interests and pursuits outside of law

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR APPLICATION

• A cover letter outlining the reason for your interest in the firm; 
• Your resume or curriculum vitae; 
• Two (2) current references; 
• Up-to-date unofficial law school transcripts; 
• Up-to-date unofficial undergraduate transcripts; and 
• At least one writing sample, which can include law school term papers or other written materials, Charter Notices done with SLS or any other written material you feel is appropriate. 

For more information about our office and the articling student position, please contact:

Kim Hardstaff

Liberty Law
#300, 10110 – 107th Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1J4
Phone: (780) 784-7500
Fax: (780) 421-4872
E-mail: hardstaff@libertylaw.ca

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