T.E.A.M. Work (Training, Education and Mentoring)

Training

We recognize that the best training is hands-on. As such our students become fully engaged in files and enjoy interaction with our lawyers and clients from day one. Working with the firm's partners, associates and staff, you will be able to take advantage of an enormous range of experience, expertise and talent allowing for the improvement of your drafting, problem solving, negotiation and oral advocacy skills.

Library Orientation

Our Librarians conduct a library orientation and research seminars for all students. At the beginning of the articling year, the Librarian reviews the essential techniques of legal research and canvasses the primary Canadian resources in both print and electronic formats.

Each student also attends a QuickLaw training seminar.

The Library has access to QuickLaw, Westlaw, LEXIS/NEXIS and non-legal databases such as Dow Jones/Infoglobe and Infomart. All students have access to QuickLaw, the Internet, and other electronic services from the desktop.

The Library staff is always willing to assist and students are encouraged to ask for assistance. The Firm also has full-time research lawyers who are available to help students throughout the year.

In addition, our formal In-House Student Training Program ensures you have the necessary tools to assist you in achieving your true potential.

Education

During the articling term, we conduct over 25 in-house student educational seminars at which the firm's lawyers and other professionals discuss up-to-the minute developments and practice tips across a wide range of practice areas. Students also have the opportunity to attend one or two CLE courses of their choice, outside the office. Invitations to attend the firm's regular CLE programs for our associate lawyers, as well as section meetings and practice group lunches are also extended to our students.

Below is a small list of in-house student training seminars offered to our students.

In-House Student Training Seminars

	Seminars		Presenter(s)
	Overview of Office Procedures and Firm Administration		Vera Piccini Miriam Abassi
	Computer Network Training/ Microsoft Outlook/Voicemail/DTE		IT Services
	Library Tour/Legal Research/FMD Database/DBTextworks/Ipso Facto		Teresa Gleave Gabriella Barsoum
	Preparing a Useable Work Product (Opinions, Memoranda, and the Use of Precedents)		Kate Seniowski Michelle Booker
	Dealing with Small Claims Files		Michael Parrish
	Introduction to Chambers		Andrew Borrell
	Working with Lawyers		Kerry Grieve Kimberley Robertson
	Creditors' Remedies/Enforcement of Judgments		Kimberley Robertson
	Corporations		Georald Ingborg Melanie Markowsky
	Practical Tips on Timekeeping		David McDonald David Curtis
	Practical Legal Writing		Geoff Lyster
	Drafting Affidavits		Shadrin Brooks
	IP		David Wotherspoon
	Introduction to and Closing a Commercial Conveyance		Candace Colmer Rashida Merani
	Trial Preparation		Simon Coval
	Professional Responsibility		Bill Morley
	Litigation Ethics		Mark Andrews
	Examination for Discovery		Matthew Ghikas
	Production of Documents		Kevin O'Callaghan Mark Fancourt-Smith
	Personal Property Security Act		Brent Lewis
	Bills of Costs/Review of Solicitors' Accounts/How to Avoid the Problem		Jennifer Francis
	Settlements and Releases		Simon Coval
	Employment, Law & Practice		Bruce Grist
	Practical Tips for a Successful Law Practice		Mike Hunter
	Cross Examination of Witnesses		Chuck Willms
	Performing Effectively as Counsel in Arbitration		Henri Alvarez Tina Cicchetti
	Making the Most of the Junioring Rotation		Brook Greenberg
	Litigation Management		David Wotherspoon
	Introduction to Corporate Tax and Estate Planning for Shareholders		Frank Schober Darrell Wickstrom Edgar Frechette Kate Seniowski
	Business Ethics		Josh Lewis
	Work/Life Balance		Michelle Pockey Mark Pontin
	Business Department Orientation		Steve Lukas
	Pleadings		Stanley Martin David Curtis
	Working for Clients		Paul Wilson

Mentoring

Close, careful mentoring in a structured program ensures success. While all members of the firm are available and expected to assist in the supervision and training of our students, your mentor and principal are directly responsible for providing guidance and ensuring the quality of your experience.

For all our students, mentors and principals are assigned from our Student Committee. Mentors are assigned based on the area of practice interest you select. Your mentor provides confidential advice and acts as a sounding board to discuss all aspects of your experience, including workload, variety of work, feedback and any other areas of interest or concern. Your principal is responsible for ensuring that you meet all the articling requirements set by the Law Society of B.C.

Informal and formal feedback is communicated through your mentor. Through your mentor, you may also initiate a review of particular assignments or rotations. Formal evaluations are conducted once at the end of your summer articles and quarterly in your articling year.

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