Articling at Hamilton | Appotive
Hamilton | Appotive is a full service law firm that offers its students the opportunity to experience all aspects of its practice although the primary focus of the articles is litigation.
Hamilton | Appotive typically hires one student per year.
As a mid-sized firm, Hamilton | Appotive is looking for a well-rounded individual who fits with the firm culture. Our firm is based on teamwork and values the contribution of every member of the firm. Hamilton | Appotive has an open-door policy and a collegial atmosphere. As such, the successful applicant will be outgoing, personable and a team player.
Experience gained
The student will gain hands-on litigation experience with carriage of small claims and landlord tenant files. The student will be responsible for all aspects of their own files (under lawyer's supervision) from the initial meeting with the client, to drafting pleadings, negotiating settlements and attending at court and tribunal hearings.
The student will further garner valuable experience in drafting Superior Court of Justice motion material as well as attending at express motions court to argue uncontested and procedural motions.
In addition to carrying their own files, the student will assist the litigation lawyers in all aspects of Superior Court of Justice matters including drafting pleadings, motion material, mediation briefs and factums. The student will also have the opportunity to attend with the lawyers at motions, examinations for discovery, mediations and settlement conferences.
Although the majority of our student’s time will be spent working on litigation files in conjunction with experienced counsel, we will try to accommodate specific interests shown by the student.
Students are encouraged to gain a rounded articling experience by drafting Wills, Powers of Attorney, commercial leases and participating in real estate and corporate transactions.
Compensation
Hamilton | Appotive offers a salary and medical/dental benefits comparable to similar sized firms. In addition, as part of the articling student compensation package, Hamilton | Appotive will pay 50% of the Licensing Process Fee for those students who are not hired back and 100% of the Licensing Process Fee for those who are hired back as an associate of the firm.
What to submit
Hamilton | Appotive fully believes that extra curricular activities and interests are equally important as scholastic achievements. As we value individual strengths and experiences, we encourage all candidates to submit any material, which they feel that we should consider.
In all cases, we require at minimum:
- a cover letter
- curriculum vitae
- transcripts
- references
Send your materials to Peter Hamilton, articling program committee chair.
Hire back
When hiring, our protocol is to give first consideration to our current or former articling students. Our most recently added lawyer, Allison Russell, is a former articling student of Hamilton | Appotive.
Contact
Hamilton | Appotive encourages law students to contact our firm about the articling opportunity we offer each year.
Articling Program Committee
Peter Hamilton, Committee Chair: phamilton@hamiltonappotive.com
Crystal Schulz: cschulz@hamiltonappotive.com
Allison Russell: arussell@hamiltonappotive.com
Please also feel free to phone our offices (613-238-8400) and talk to our current student about the articling experience here at Hamilton | Appotive.
