At Lerners, we are constantly evolving our environment to encourage professional and personal development.
Since 1929, we have been training lawyers in summer and articling positions. They learn the ins and outs of legal practice that focus their talent and energy on being the best lawyers they can be.
We hope to earn a place on your shortlist, and we look forward to talking with you about the opportunity to work with our team.
Successful students demonstrate an interest and aptitude for advocacy. We’re looking for exceptional attention to detail and a consistent ability to remain organized and manage your time so you can enjoy a life outside of work.
Our lawyers in London and Toronto offer differing types of legal training. For more information, click on one of the cities below.
London
Students who work in our London office have the opportunity to practise high-calibre law, but also enjoy the lifestyle advantages that come with a smaller city: affordable housing, minimal commuting time and a greater opportunity to develop congenial relationships with other law professionals.
Types of Law Practised
Articling students in our London office receive broad exposure to an exciting range of areas: Business and Corporate, Commercial Litigation, Class Actions, Criminal Defence (Provincial Offences Act matters), Estate Planning, Administration and Litigation, Family Law, Health Law, Insurance Defence, Municipal Law, Personal Injury and Professional Liability.
Money Matters
Our London articling students receive a salary in the upper end of the pay scale for London firms. For 2022-2023 articling, their 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.
Rotations
Our articling program is organized according to four rotations. The rotations have been structured to allow students to work with different lawyers and get exposure to many practice areas. This will help you in your career no matter what shape it takes. Our rotation system will help you understand “the big picture.”
LITIGATION ROTATION
During this rotation, students handle research, drafting, trial preparation and other assignments related to litigation files, including criminal defence files. This rotation lasts for approximately 27 weeks, which may not be consecutive.
SOLICITORS’ ROTATION
During this rotation, students will assist lawyers in the Wills and Estates, Real Estate/Land Development and Business Law practice groups with non-litigious matters. These could range from drafting corporate documents and wills to researching the legislation governing condominiums. This rotation lasts approximately eight to nine weeks.
ADVOCACY ROTATION
During this rotation, students get the opportunity to handle court appearances such as criminal court and simple motions in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. The student has time to accompany lawyers to observe trials, motions, appeals, hearings and discoveries. This rotation lasts eight to nine weeks.
FAMILY ROTATION
During this rotation, students learn the ropes of family law practice and build their knowledge of the rules and procedures particular to family law. Students also get the chance to develop their skills in communicating with clients. This rotation lasts approximately eight to nine weeks.
While research is a significant part of the articling experience, you will have plenty of real-world contact with clients in interviews, telephone calls and meetings. You will draft documents such as commercial agreements, wills and powers of attorney, pleadings and opinion letters. You will assist with examinations for discovery and preparation for trials and appeals. You will acquire valuable advocacy experience by appearing in court on contested
and uncontested motions. You will develop your skills in identifying issues and learn how to find the best ways to help clients solve their legal problems.
Fulfilling Work and a Fulfilling Life
We expect a lot from our Articling students.
To help our students take a break from work, we organise social outings for them from time to time. Activities have included wine-tasting dinners, attending baseball and hockey games, and bowling and theatre outings. Students also participate in firm-wide social and holiday
events.
We encourage our students to help out as volunteers with local charities and community groups. They have volunteered in a school lunch program, collected donations for fundraising auctions, bowled, swam, ran and walked for pledges; and served on boards and committees of not-for-profit groups. They are not just trained to be lawyers, they are training to be outstanding contributors and leaders in the community, and we support them in achieving that.
Toronto
The Toronto office of Lerners has all the excitement of a big Bay Street firm, but it also offers the comfort of close working relationships and the friendly atmosphere of a smaller workplace. Here, students will broaden their skills and knowledge under the guidance of some of Ontario’s most experienced litigators. Please use the menu at the bottom of this page for quick access to information about specific topics.
Types of Law Practiced
Articling students in our Toronto office receive broad exposure to an exciting range of litigation: commercial disputes, insurance defence, professional liability matters, defence of medical negligence claims, personal injury claims, family law, securities litigation, employment law, shareholders’ disputes, investment dealer negligence claims, banking and insolvency law, class actions, civil sexual assault matters and, from time to time, issues involving native rights and constitutional law, to name a few.
Money Matters
Our Toronto articling students are paid a salary comparable to that of large Toronto firms. As of April 2020, their weekly salary is $1,700.00. We review salaries regularly to make sure that our students are fairly compensated. 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.
Student Work
Our students perform research assignments, draft a wide range of litigation documents such as pleadings, facta, motions and mediation memos, prepare motion records, assist with trial preparation, handle small claims court actions, assist on trials and appeals, and appear in court on contested and uncontested motions. They occasionally help lawyers prepare articles for publication and papers for presentation at continuing legal education seminars.
We encourage our students to accompany lawyers on court proceedings as often as they can—examinations for discovery, inquests, mediations, motions, trials—so they can see all aspects of the litigation process. Students attend and assist with tribunal proceedings. We also encourage students to attend appeals and regularly circulate a list of the upcoming appeals being argued by firm lawyers, so students can make plans to go.
Fulfilling Work and a Fulfilling Life
We expect a lot from our Articling students.
To help our students take a break from work, we organise social outings for them from time to time. Activities have included wine-tasting dinners, attending baseball and hockey games, and bowling and theatre outings. Students also participate in firm-wide social and holiday
events.
We encourage our students to help out as volunteers with local charities and community groups. They have volunteered in a school lunch program, collected donations for fundraising auctions, bowled, swam, ran and walked for pledges; and served on boards and committees of not-for-profit groups. They are not just trained to be lawyers, they are training to be outstanding contributors and leaders in the community, and we support them in achieving that.
Dedicated Support for Growth
Our Student Administrator
Andrea Catlin is our Student Administrator here at Lerners and has been a valued team member for over 20 years. In directing assignments to articling and summer students, she considers their workload and the type of experience each student has or needs and assigns projects accordingly. Andrea’s approach ensures that by the end of the articling or summer term, each student has worked with a variety of lawyers on different tasks and in most of the major areas of law we practise.
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Andrea Catlin
Specialist, Professional Resources
88 Dufferin Avenue
London, ON N6A 1K4
Each articling student is matched with both a junior mentor who is an associate lawyer and a senior mentor who is a partner or senior associate who also serves as the student’s articling principal.
Mentors periodically meet with their students for lunch or just a chat and are available when students are looking for advice or a friendly “sounding board.” They offer general support from litigation basics and practice management questions to career development. Each articling student’s senior mentor also participates in their evaluations during articles.
Articling students work directly with partners at all levels of seniority and associate lawyers. Students learn about the law and practice management by working with lawyers with years of experience in their field.
At Lerners, I have been given the opportunity to fully immerse myself in files and take ownership over my work. Throughout my articles, I was provided the opportunity to work on a file from the beginning to the end of the retainer, and was involved in every stage of the process. I was encouraged to take initiative and to voice my opinion, and because of this, I felt my perspective was valued by the team. I’m extremely grateful for the chances I had to meaningfully contribute to files, and for the learning that happened along the way.
Lerners is wholeheartedly invested in the training and development of its students. During my time as a summer student and articling student, I was continuously immersed in training and mentorship, and I was able to work in multiple practice areas alongside various lawyers. The work I did felt meaningful and fulfilling. The support, both administratively and from lawyers, helped me build confidence in my skills as an aspiring lawyer. I truly believe the Lerners experience is unlike any other.
Articling at Lerners has been both challenging and rewarding. Students not only undergo training seminars and attend observations, but are expected to contribute to complex litigation and transactional matters. From speaking before various courts to negotiating settlements on commercial litigation files, the firm’s lawyers and staff facilitate skill development on all levels. My experience at Lerners has enabled me to become confident in my ability to be not only a competent lawyer, but an excellent one.
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Extensive initial training on the firm's IT systems, processes and procedures, and on tips and techniques for completing student assignments.
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We offer in-house seminars on a wide range of topics, designed specifically for our students, as well as opportunities to attend in-house CPD seminars offered to our lawyers, and occasional external seminars.
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The firm offers extensive print and electronic resources as well as Library and Research Services to assist with research.
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Students receive informal feedback on an ongoing basis, and also have two evaluation meetings.
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Articling students receive comprehensive medical and dental coverage. 100% coverage Generic drugs, 80% coverage Brand Name drugs. $200 vision care during articles.
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Articling students are eligible for LifeWorks which provides employee assistance, confidential counselling services and access to resources on its extensive website.
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Articling students are eligible for an annual allowance to assist with certain work-related expenses, such as fitness expenses.
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Students are entitled to one paid sick day per month of employment.
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Articling students are eligible for ten paid vacation days during articles.
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The firm pays the Call to the Bar fee and the cost of court attire for articling students hired as associates with the firm upon the conclusion of articles.
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We cover our articling students' fees for the Law Society licensing process application, articling program, and licensing materials and examinations.
Committed to an Accessible Ontario
In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11, accommodations are available, upon request, to support potential applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment, assessment and selection process. Should you require accommodation in order to fully participate in the process please contact us by emailing accessibility@lerners.ca, or by phone at 519-672-4131 regarding accessibility in our London Office, or 416-867-3076 regarding accessibility in our Toronto Office.
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Kirsten M. Parker
Director of Professional Resources
88 Dufferin Avenue
London, ON N6A 4G4