Early Career, Junior Family Lawyer – CDR Law

Nova Scotia Barristers' Society; Halifax; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

CDR Law is launching a structured training and mentorship program for early career family lawyers. You will learn through intentional instruction, practical coaching, and real-file experience, with guidance from experienced mentors.

The program will start in early October and aims to place candidates by mid-September, offering regular coaching and opportunities to handle important client matters while developing professional judgment and advocacy skills, including use of AI tools.

Qualifications

• Curiosity and sound judgment are essential for developing as a family-law advocate.
• Strong communication skills and a genuine desire to become outstanding lawyers are required.
• Law degree or equivalent qualification is expected; family-law experience not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a structured training and mentorship program while working on real files with real clients.
• Receive regular coaching in advocacy, client relationships, negotiation, drafting and courtroom practice.
• Engage with modern legal technology, including AI, as part of daily practice.

Skills

Curiosity

Sound judgment

Strong communication

Willingness to learn

Education

Law degree

Tools

AI tools

Job description

Early Career, Junior Family Lawyer – CDR Law

• August 13, 2026

Looking for more than a job?

Law school teaches you the law. It doesn’t teach you how to practise law.

Most junior lawyers spend their first few years learning through trial and error while juggling demanding files and trying to build confidence.

At CDR Law, we believe there is a better way.

We’re developing a structured training and mentorship program designed to help junior lawyers become exceptional family law advocates. Rather than leaving your professional development to chance, you’ll receive intentional instruction, practical coaching, and meaningful mentorship while working on real files with real clients.

The program will start in early October. Therefore, we would like to have the right candidates in place by the middle of September.

What Makes This Different?

Our training program will be led by a retired senior family lawyer whose primary role is mentoring the next generation of lawyers.

Instead of trying to fit training into an already busy practice, we’re making it part of the job.

Working alongside experienced members of our team, you’ll receive regular coaching and practical instruction in advocacy, client relationships, negotiation, drafting, courtroom practice, professional judgment, and the effective use of modern legal technology, including AI.

You’ll be challenged, supported, and encouraged every step of the way.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for people with curiosity, sound judgment, strong communication skills, and a genuine desire to become outstanding lawyers.

Family law experience is helpful, but it isn’t required. We’re more interested in your potential, work ethic, and willingness to learn than in the number of files you’ve handled.

We are also seeking people who can become part of a team.

If you enjoy solving difficult problems, value mentorship, and want to build a long-term career in family law, we’d like to meet you.

What We Offer

• A structured training and mentorship program.


• Dedicated coaching from an experienced family lawyer.


• Meaningful courtroom and client experience.


• Early responsibility with appropriate support.


• Competitive compensation and benefits.


• A collaborative team that values professionalism, continuous learning, and excellence in client service.

Our Hiring Process

We believe hiring should be a two-way conversation.

We’ll spend time getting to know you, and you’ll have the opportunity to learn about our team, our values, and how we practise.

As part of the process, we may ask you to complete a brief writing exercise or discuss a practical legal scenario—not to test what you know about family law, but to better understand how you think, communicate, and approach new challenges.

A note from Our Managing Partner: When I began practising law, I learned many of the most important lessons through experience—sometimes the hard way. Looking back, I often wished there had been a more intentional path to developing the skills and judgment that make a great family lawyer.

That’s why we’re building this program.

We believe talented young lawyers deserve more than occasional mentorship. They deserve thoughtful guidance, constructive feedback, and experienced people who are genuinely invested in their success.

Our goal is simple: to help you become the best lawyer you can be while building a rewarding career serving families during some of the most important moments of their lives.

If that vision resonates with you, we’d be delighted to hear from you.