What is it like being a Student-at-Law with McKercher LLP?
McKercher LLP is dedicated to the future of law in Saskatchewan, employing summer students and articling students who are completing their Juris Doctorate. McKercher LLP is an excellent place for students looking to gain experience in a wide array of practice areas. With over 80 lawyers, 40 partners and 4 Of Counsel, our firm holds extensive knowledge and mentorship capabilities for those looking to learn. To get a deeper understanding of what it is really like working as a student at McKercher LLP, we chatted with our current articling students completing their articling term with our firm.
Bailee Brewster, Bridget Morrison, Madeline Bates, Reed Boychuk, and Thea Pearce all obtained their Juris Doctor from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 2023. They all participated in the accelerated CPLED program earlier this year. After completing their current term articling, and signing the rolls, they will officially be able to practice law in Saskatchewan!
Why did you choose to pursue a career as a lawyer?
Each of our articling students have their own interests when it comes to the legal industry. Bailee wants to become a lawyer because she is passionate about helping others. She says “as law profoundly affects [all] our lives, I want to be able to make a difference in the lives of others as a lawyer.” Bridget is working towards a career as a lawyer because “the work is intellectually challenging and engaging.” Similarly, Thea is interested in being a part of a profession where there is opportunity to learn new things every day and which provides the intellectual stimulation that she needs in her career. She states that “the average person is relatively unaware of the rights that they retain under provincial and federal law. It will be a privilege to be able to teach people about what their rights are, and how they can be enforced.” Madeline enjoys working with people and helping them to solve problems. She notes that “every client who uses our services has some sort of issue that they need help solving. I really enjoy this process and doing what I can to make their life a bit easier.” Reed notes that “legal issues are often stressful and complex for people” and hopes that through her future work as a lawyer she will bring people a sense of ease when dealing with the legal system. While there are various reasons for these ladies to study law, there is a common theme that emerges when asked why they were pursuing a career as a lawyer – the opportunity to help others.
Why did you choose to article with McKercher LLP?
“After summering with McKercher LLP following my first year of law, I knew that I wanted to article with the firm for several reasons. First, McKercher LLP offers a vast array of legal services, allowing me to gain experience in various legal areas. Second, McKercher LLP’s commitment to putting clients’ best interests first is evident. Having the ability to learn from experienced lawyers that are committed to their clients is important to me. Third, McKercher LLP has a collegial environment that offers a sense of belonging.” – Bailee
“I chose to article with McKercher because of the wide variety of practice areas and the large number of highly experienced lawyers at the firm. It is important to have good mentors, and McKercher LLP has many successful lawyers who are eager to pass on their knowledge to students and young lawyers. “– Reed
“I was interested in McKercher LLP because of the broad range of practice areas offered. I also chatted with some of the lawyers and partners at networking events during law school and felt that the culture at McKercher LLP would be a good fit for me.” – Madeline
“McKercher LLP was my top choice in the articling recruit. The people are kind and genuine, and there are a wide array of practice areas to choose from. I would personally like to pursue a career in Health Law, and McKercher is a great place to do that.”– Thea
“I chose to article with McKercher LLP for two main reasons. First, the wide range of practice areas at the firm. I’m unsure of what area I want to practice in, and I knew going to McKercher LLP would allow me to gain experience in various areas of the law and see what’s the best fit for me. Second, the culture of the firm. McKercher LLP has a laid-back and friendly environment. I picked McKercher LLP because there is a supportive environment fostered by staff, associates and partners, which I knew would contribute to a positive articling experience.” – Bridget
What is your favourite thing about working at the firm?
McKercher LLP offers a lot of opportunities to its students. Our mentorship program, the vast array of practice areas and company culture are just a few key characteristics that McKercher LLP is proud of and which sets us apart. But don’t take our word for it – let’s see what our students have to say:
Bridget enjoys the fact that “there is always interesting work.” Thea is keen on “the people and the firm’s mentorship program.” Madeline notes that “there are so many incredible lawyers here to learn from. There are great resources and opportunities for mentorship, which is so important during articling.” Reed values “gaining experience in so many different areas of the law. There is always a new and interesting file to assist with.” And Bailee most enjoys that “each day is different!”
Madeline, what does a typical day as a Student-at-Law look like for you?
- “Coffee! I typically get into the office between 7:30 and 8:00am and head straight for the coffee machine.
- Emails and To-Do List – I always start my day by reviewing emails and making a to-do list. I have a day planner and write down every task or assignment that I need to complete that day. I rank them in terms of priority, and then make myself a detailed schedule for the day.
- Get to work – A typical workday involves research, writing memos or drafting documents, and attending court or client meetings with lawyers.
- Billing/Wind-down – I typically end my workday by entering my billable hours into the system and getting myself organized for the next day.
- Home – I typically leave the office between 5:00 and 5:30 pm. On Fridays, we typically end the workday a bit early and gather in the boardroom or lounge for socializing. It’s a good opportunity for everyone to get together in a less formal setting and wind-down from a busy week!”
Bailee, how would you summarize a typical day as a Student-at-Law with McKercher LLP?
“Collaborative, motivating, rewarding, interesting and focused. I ask the other articling students, associates, partners, or support staff for assistance when needed. The work that I do as an articling student can be both intellectually challenging, interesting, and rewarding; this challenging work is motivating to me, I learn something new every day and the work is rewarding as it assists others.”
Thea, what does a typical day as a Student-at-Law look like for you?
- “Arrive at work and acquire some form of caffeine (we have a very fancy coffee maker).
- Start work at around 8:15 am and organize what I need to do that day/answer emails.
- Begin working on various files completing tasks such as drafting memos, completing document review, and drafting various pleadings.
- Spend some time attending meetings or court.
- Spend time asking questions to legal assistants, IT or lawyers at the office.”
What is your number one word of advice for summer students?
“My number one word of advice for summer students is to ask questions.” – Bailee
“Seek work from a wide variety of practice areas and always do your best!” – Reed
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for clarification on instructions you receive for an assignment.” – Bridget
“Ask lots of questions, take notes and use your calendar!” – Madeline
“Be yourself and know that you have a choice! In my experience, firms are often looking for someone that fits in with their culture, and while good grades are important, they are certainly not everything. You want to ensure that wherever you choose to work aligns with the future that you want for yourself, and it is okay if you can’t see yourself working everywhere that you apply.” – Thea
McKercher LLP is a great place to be a student with lots of learning and growth opportunities. If you are considering summering with us and have some questions, please reach out to us!