Each of the students has provided feedback about their experiences so far, specifically:
- What has been your favourite experience?
- What is the most valuable skill you've learned?
- What is something that surprised you about articling?
Karen
1. Drafting factums. Researching the law, coming up with the strongest argument, and writing it in the most convincing way possible. I look forward to arguing a motion based on a factum I wrote in a couple of weeks!
2. Organization. At any given time you are working on multiple files and tasks, each with its own timelines. It is essential to have a strategy for managing them.
3. How much do we get to see of a file. Because we don't rotate, we often get to take on multiple tasks on the same file over time, so we really get to see it through.
Mahdi
1. Assisting with a jury trial.
2. Organization is paramount.
3. How fast things become second nature - ie. motions, drafting legal arguments etc.
2. Organization is paramount.
3. How fast things become second nature - ie. motions, drafting legal arguments etc.
Shayan
1. Settlement conferences, because you can see the intersection between the law and realities of business.
2. Research skills.
3. Learning: specifically how much you can learn in such a short amount of time.
Cassandra
1. Small Claims: I enjoy running my own small claims files and have especially enjoyed attending settlement conferences with clients.
2. First Writing: I learned how important point first writing is. This skill is especially important when drafting materials such as mediation briefs, where it is important to put your strongest points front and centre to emphasize your position.
3. Balance: The biggest surprise about articling is how important it is to maintain a good work and personal life balance.
Victoria
2. First Writing: I learned how important point first writing is. This skill is especially important when drafting materials such as mediation briefs, where it is important to put your strongest points front and centre to emphasize your position.
3. Balance: The biggest surprise about articling is how important it is to maintain a good work and personal life balance.
Victoria
1. Small Claims: Being able to run my own small claims matters from start to finish. I've really learned a lot about the thought processes that go into the various different stages of litigation.
2. To summarize things succinctly. I like to talk (and by extension write) a lot, but writing short, simple, and to the point is a much better way of getting an idea across.
3. How time flies so quickly! Because we're so involved and busy with different assignments, there hasn't been too much time to be bored.
David Perron
2. Properly drafting either pleadings, mediation briefs and letters. This is a skill that I am continuously improving and will continue to improve for the rest of my career.
3. The opportunities we are given to learn. We get to attend court on our own and draft key legal documents, like pleadings, mediation memos, and factums.
Marla
1. I enjoy attending discoveries – it's a great way to see how the evidence unfolds. Counsel must prepare questions to support their theory of the case, and the witnesses bring personality to the story.
2. Revision, revision, revision. Brevity is key.
3. I am surprised by the variety of cases that fall within insurance law. I have gained exposure to areas that I did not initially realize would be of interest to me.
Rachael
1. I enjoy attending discoveries – it's a great way to see how the evidence unfolds. Counsel must prepare questions to support their theory of the case, and the witnesses bring personality to the story.
2. Revision, revision, revision. Brevity is key.
3. I am surprised by the variety of cases that fall within insurance law. I have gained exposure to areas that I did not initially realize would be of interest to me.
Rachael
2. How to think on my feet! While it is important to be prepared, you can't prepare for everything and you often need to be able to respond well quickly.
3. The number of different people that you work with on a daily basis. It's great to be able to learn from everyone individually and get to see a wide range of other people's working styles.
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The poll was done by Karen B
