THE ARTICLING EXPERIENCE

The Articling Experience

McKercher LLP has a reputation of integrity, expertise and leadership, and those are the qualities we look for in a student. The obligation to train lawyers of the highest quality is of paramount importance to us. Accordingly, we invest a great deal of time in our students during the articling year in order to prepare them for their future practice. In return, students are expected to demonstrate intellect, creativity and commitment.

The Firm conducts articling interviews in accordance with the Guidelines formulated by the University of Saskatchewan College of Law. We conduct initial interviews and compile a short list of students, followed by a more extensive second interview with the selected candidates.  In our view, this process presents a better opportunity to evaluate the likelihood that the firm and its students will be well matched.

Articling students in our Firm are assigned to principals, who are responsible for their mentoring throughout the articling year. Our principals are chosen with a view toward proven ability to work well with the students and oversee their articling experiences. We do not engage in a formal rotation process. The principals are responsible for ensuring that students receive work from all areas of our practice, and have a chance to work with most of the lawyers in the Firm. Principals monitor the student’s activities to ensure deadlines are reasonable and that the workload is appropriate. 

We pride ourselves on the collegial atmosphere of our Firm. We hold a variety of social events throughout the year in which our students are key participants. Members of our firm are involved in many community and professional associations and we encourage that same involvement in our students.

The articling year is a very important period of professional development and education, and we believe we provide some of the best experience that an articling student could hope for during that year. 

A Commitment to Legal Education

We believe that your legal education should not stop at the conclusion of your articles. The Firm recognizes the importance of continuing legal education at all levels and provides opportunities for all members of the Firm to participate in ongoing professional development by attending regional, national and international seminars. In addition, the Firm sponsors and funds the John A. Stack Memorial Lecture Series at the College of Law, helping to foster and encourage learning throughout all levels of the profession.

Many members of the Firm contribute their talents to on-going education by serving as sessional lecturers at the Colleges of Law, Commerce, Veterinary Medicine, and others at the University of Saskatchewan. Our lawyers also serve as guest speakers at seminars and conferences, and in other educational contexts.