Student Programs

think: our new approach

Stewart McKelvey has a long history of being a leader in Atlantic Canada. And being a leader means embracing innovation.

We are changing the traditional approach to law student recruitment in Atlantic Canada. Typically, Articled Clerks wait for “hire-back” decisions well into their articling year.

Stewart McKelvey is thinking differently.

We believe that success in the practice of law requires making a commitment for more than one summer or one year. Our new approach removes the traditional “hire-back” decision-making process, typically done at the end of the articling year. A 2L Summer Student will advance to becoming an Articled Clerk, then directly to an Associate at Stewart McKelvey.

This allows Articled Clerks to focus on key competency development – strong legal analysis, developing a substantive knowledge base, writing, communication, and time management – all the skills required to develop the region’s best lawyers, on the path to becoming fully engaged Partners.

To support this innovative approach, Stewart McKelvey provides best-in-class professional development and training. Our Foundations of Practice Program extends well beyond the twelve months of articles and beyond traditional legal skills.

This program will not only focus on skill development, but will prepare new Associates to become leaders in their profession and communities, embracing the position of privilege that lawyers have traditionally held. As a Stewart McKelvey lawyer, you will be called on to sit on boards, lend your expertise to organizations, and become a future leader. Our program positions you for success in these areas, too, through training in governance, presentation skills, and leading others.

Your career with Stewart McKelvey

In law school, you learn the law. At Stewart McKelvey, you learn how to practice law and understand the business of law. We recognize it takes time to develop the skills and habits required for success in private practice and as a future business owner. If you are committed to seeing your career advance and your skills sharpened, Stewart McKelvey will commit to supporting your growth.

Starting with our extensive New Associate Orientation, we offer a rigorous foundational training program designed to set you up for success in practicing law in an ever-evolving industry.

Why? Because Stewart McKelvey is focused on long-term, sustainable growth – for you, and the Firm. How? We hire, train, and develop the best.

We are the only firm in Atlantic Canada that invests in a dedicated lawyer development and training team, focused on proactively supporting and guiding lawyers as they settle into, and move through, their practice. Some of the supports offered include:

• A robust training program with one-to-one support dedicated to building the skills and competencies required for success in private practice.
• Access to cutting edge practice management technology.
• Formalized mentorship from experienced Partners and Senior Associates.
• In-depth research support through our Library & Knowledge Services team, with access to the best legal research products on the market, including AI.
• The space to explore your own potential, interests, and opportunities within the Firm.
• Access to a variety of practice areas and complex matters with diverse client groups.
• A collaborative culture with an inclusive and welcoming team working together to innovate, achieve, and grow.

• Our Mentorship Program Icon plus

  Stewart McKelvey has a formal mentorship program that pairs Summer Students, Articled Clerks and Associate lawyers with experienced lawyers across the Firm. Our mentors are trained on how to advise, guide and sponsor our junior professionals, supporting their growth as allies and advocates through every stage of their career. Our Firm invests heavily in mentorship, with recurring training workshops, a formal guidebook for mentors and career sponsors, as well as annual recognition of mentors in the Firm.

• Our Commitment to DEI Icon plus

  We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a workplace that fosters a culture of awareness, appreciation and respect. Our Firm is a member of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, and we work closely with them to guide our practices and get the latest in industry knowledge. Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, comprised of lawyers and staff across all six offices, focuses on leadership, recruitment, retention and awareness at all levels of the Firm.

  In addition to supporting national or multicultural events celebrating diversity, we regularly offer education and training focused on increasing cultural competence for lawyers and staff in all offices. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is demonstrated by our actions, including the creation of the Firm’s first Inclusion Strategist role. Our Inclusion Strategist, Lynn Iding, CPHR, CCIP, is focused on driving increased intercultural competence through training, coaching and process improvement with a view to reducing bias and enhancing diversity and inclusion.

  For more information, please visit the Firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion page.

• Our Commitment to the Community Icon plus

  Stewart McKelvey has a strong commitment to the communities in which we live and work. Our lawyers, Articled Clerks, Summer Students and staff are actively involved with many community organizations. Each year, we support over 250 non-profits and charities that help to make Atlantic Canada a better place to live. We deliver community engagement through various initiatives, including volunteer support, financial contributions, providing professional legal advice and in-kind support. Examples of recent contributions include our Summer Students’ involvement in Lawn Summer Nights in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and our Articled Clerks’ participation in Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake. Every summer our students play volunteer roles at the Ronald McDonald House Charities golf tournament.

• The Libby Project Icon plus

  
  The Libby Project represents Stewart McKelvey’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of the Firm’s women lawyers, the mentoring and sponsoring of women by women, educational programming and leadership. It prioritizes the development of several career goals, including:

  • Advancing to Partnership
  • Developing leadership skills
  • Enhancing client relationships
  • Developing a sustainable practice

  For more information, please visit the Firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion page.

• The Innovative Firm Icon plus

  At Stewart McKelvey, innovation is who we are. It’s what we do. We’re always working to keep our clients ahead of change, and finding ways to deliver efficiency and cost certainty like never before. Quite simply, we think: forward. And we want you to think forward, too. A market leader in practice innovation, your time spent with our experienced lawyers and staff will open your eyes to the possible, not the impossible, when it comes to meeting and exceeding client expectations in the age of today.

  We sat with Firm CEO and Managing Partner, Lydia Bugden, K.C., and our innovation team led by Chief Innovation Officer and Partner, Paul Saunders, to hear about Stewart McKelvey’s journey over the last five years to become a leader in practice innovation in the region: