Frequently Asked Questions
We look for students with a proven track record of strong academic performance and strong research and writing skills. We look for transferable skills and experience that demonstrate a commitment to client service, innovative thinking, entrepreneurial spirit, initiative, work ethic, resilience and positive outlook. When we hire, we’re thinking about the long game. We want to hire students who are invested in their own professional development and career advancement.
We aim to have each Student and Articled Clerk receive a balanced and varied range of assignments in a wide range of practice areas. You can expect to be involved in challenging assignments representative of the practice of law at Stewart McKelvey. In addition to honing research, writing and drafting skills, there is an emphasis on getting students and Articled Clerks out of the office to observe lawyers in action; for example, attending discoveries, client meetings and mediations.
At this stage of your legal career, we want you to learn as much as you can by gaining exposure to a variety of practice areas and working with a diverse group of delegators. There is no set productivity threshold or target for Summer Students and Articled Clerks. The expectation is that you work hard to learn about the practice of law, which includes time spent on developing strong timekeeping and time management practices. As the practice of law also includes spending time with clients and in the community, you are encouraged to attend Firm events.
Work is delegated by Partners and Associates directly to Summer Students and Articled Clerks. Students and Articled Clerks are encouraged to take the initiative in seeking out work in a variety of practice areas and to get to know all the lawyers in the Firm. Articled Clerks have the freedom to chart their own articling program within the guidelines set by the governing Law Society or Barristers' Society. In our Saint John and Halifax offices, Articled Clerks have formal rotations in the Advocacy and Business practice areas in which they switch practice floors mid-way through their articling year.
we are changing the
traditional approach
to law student
recruitment in
Atlantic Canada.
.
we're
thinking
differently.
Summer Students and Articled Clerks are encouraged to seek out constructive feedback from Partners and Associates as they work on files or non-billable projects. The Firm focuses on providing contemporaneous feedback on performance in the context of work quality, research, analysis, time management, commitment to client service, teamwork and communication. Our Partners and Associates understand and support the Firm’s formal mentorship program and our Firm’s overall apprenticeship model, all of which is designed intentionally to prepare you for your future role as a confident and competent legal professional.
Stewart McKelvey offers comprehensive life, health and dental plans, employee assistance plans and mobile device reimbursement plans for Articled Clerks. All Law Society and Barristers' Society fees are paid by the Firm, along with Canadian Bar Association membership. Summer Students and Articled Clerks have access to a paid parking or transit pass as well as a wellness program.
Our Articled Clerks take part in the various Bar Admission Courses offered by the Law Society of New Brunswick, the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, The Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Law Society of Prince Edward Island. These course components take place during the articling year at intermittent periods in which the clerk is out of the office. Our Nova Scotia Articled Clerks participate the three-month Accelerated PREP Course with CPLED from June to September before they commence their Articling term in the office. The Firm covers the cost of all bar course tuition fees and the Articled Clerks remain under employment of the Firm the entire time while in bar course.
A Partner is a co-owner, a leader, a mentor, a sponsor, a businessperson and a respected legal expert. Partners at Stewart McKelvey enjoy many great benefits, including mentoring junior lawyers and helping them grow into their full potential. Partners also enjoy the autonomy that comes from being a collaborative owner of a thriving business and the pride felt from tangibly contributing to the success of that same business.
Our professional development program is intentionally designed to build the skills, knowledge and aptitudes necessary for all Summer Students, Articled Clerks and junior lawyers, who are committed to private practice, to ultimately become fully engaged Partners at our Firm.