LAA-26-19 - Articling Student- Calgary

Legal Aid Alberta•Calgary, AB

31d•$80,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Legal Aid Alberta is seeking to fill a 12 month- full time Articling Student position in our downtown Calgary office for the 2027-2028 Articling Term. As an articling student at Legal Aid Alberta, you will join our legal team that helps vulnerable Albertans across the province at some of the most difficult times in their lives. You will work with exceptional people who share our values and passion, supporting our mission to help Alberta’s most disadvantaged. Through professional, effective and accessible services, we make a difference in the lives of Albertans and deliver value that extends beyond those who receive our services. Who We Are As a publicly funded, non-profit organization, Legal Aid Alberta provides affordable legal services in family law, domestic violence, child welfare, immigration, and youth and adult criminal defense. We are Alberta-wide, with 300 staff and 1,200 private practice lawyers helping people overcome their legal challenges in more than 75 communities across the province. Who You Are Working at Legal Aid Alberta means you care about people and empathize with their situation. This articling position will appeal to an individual that likes to take initiative, is client focused and is exceptionally strong in delivering high-quality results. The articling experience at Legal Aid Alberta allows students to get exposure to all our areas of practice including criminal, family and immigration law and duty counsel services..

Requirements

Law Degree from a recognized Law School
Approval from the Law Society of Alberta to be an articling student
Limited litigation experience
Rules of Court and criminal, family, and immigration legislation
Legal research, writing and drafting, legal analysis, preparation of facts and written briefs, application of law to relevant facts
Advocacy, problem solving and conflict resolution
A high level of comfort working with technology and a keen enthusiasm for learning new systems including computer literacy of MS Office and web based legal research tools and other web-based resources
Excellent interpersonal skills and experience working with complex clients
General understanding of community resources available to complex clients

Nice To Haves

Experience with Student Legal Services, Student Legal Assistance, Pro Bono Student Association or working as a volunteer at a Legal Clinic or organization serving our clientele would be an asset

Responsibilities

Provide assistance to criminal and family staff lawyers on client files along with having conduct of assigned client files to professional standards and in accordance with the Rules and Code of Conduct of the Law Society of Alberta and the Rules of Legal Aid Alberta
Observe staff lawyers in their role as Duty Counsel, learn and perform the role as Duty Counsel to professional standards and in accordance with the Rules and Code of Conduct of the Law Society of Alberta and the Rules of Legal Aid Alberta
Conduct legal research and legal writing as requested by staff lawyers
Negotiate competent resolutions of files to achieve early, cost effective and lasting outcomes for clients
Work on projects or initiatives as directed by the General Counsel and Advisory Services Team or other business units
Successfully complete PREP requirements throughout the articling year
Participate in performance and staff meetings as required and in-house training opportunities