Articling Position, 2013-2014

Twenty-two law students will be selected to work as judges' law clerks at the Superior Court of Justice for the 2013-2014 articling year. These contract positions are intended for candidates who are seeking to fulfil the articling requirements of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Duties

Successful candidates will work closely with judges and become involved in many aspects of the trial process, in all areas of the Court’s jurisdiction. Law clerks are encouraged to attend trials, motions court, jury selections, sentencing hearings, case conferences, bankruptcy hearings, summary conviction appeals, and family court. The duties of law clerks include providing judges with oral opinions and written memoranda of law on a broad range of legal topics, reviewing pleadings, preparing case summaries, assisting in drafting jury charges, and editing judgments. Law clerks may also be invited to assist judges in preparing scholarly work, speeches and presentations on law-related topics.

Locations

There are 10 positions available in Toronto (including 2 Divisional Court positions – see separate job advertisement) and a total of 12 positions in the following centres: Brampton (2), Hamilton (2), London (1), Windsor (1), Newmarket (2), Ottawa (2), Sudbury (1) and Thunder Bay (1). If applying for more than one location, candidates must indicate in their cover letters the order of their preferred locations. If applying for the Divisional Court positions in Toronto, candidates must also indicate their order of preference as between Superior Court position(s) and the Divisional Court positions.

Qualifications

The Court seeks applicants who possess strong academic records, excellent legal research and writing skills, and the ability to produce high-quality work under strict deadlines. One of the two positions in Ottawa must be fluent in spoken and written French and English. Bilingualism is an asset in the other regions. Some travel may be required.

To apply

Please submit the following in triplicate to the address below by 5:00 p.m. on Friday January 27, 2012. Applications must be received by this date. We do not accept applications by email or by fax:

1. a cover letter indicating your preferred court location (or the order of preference if you are applying for more than one location);
2. a current curriculum vitae;
3. transcripts of law school and undergraduate grades (including first semester of second-year law);
4. one legal writing sample (maximum 15 pages);
5. two letters of reference referring to your research and communication skills.

Interviews will take place in February/March 2012 either in person or, where necessary, by conference call. The Court does not pay travel costs to attend interviews. Please note that law clerks are contract employees of the Ministry of the Attorney General.

* Students interested in clerking for the Divisional Court should refer to the separate job advertisement for that position. Candidates may apply for both the Superior Court of Justice and Divisional Court positions. If applying for both, please submit only one application but clearly indicate which positions you are applying for and your order of preference.

Send your application to:

The Manager of Legal Research, Office of the Chief Justice, Superior Court of Justice, 361 University Avenue, Room 621, Toronto, ON M5G 1T3; tel. 416-327-5005, fax 416-326-2224.