Job ID #31064: Articling Student

Hamilton Insurance Group, Ltd.; Hamilton; Hybrid; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking city as an Articling Student, where you will gain invaluable experience in various legal practices. This dynamic role offers exposure to dispute resolution, municipal law, and real estate development, all while working alongside experienced lawyers. You will contribute to meaningful legal processes that impact the community, enhancing your skills in research, communication, and problem-solving. With a competitive salary and a supportive environment, this opportunity is perfect for those eager to make a difference in public service while advancing their legal career.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Work-Life Balance

Hands-On Experience

Collegial Environment

Qualifications

• Graduate of a common law program approved by the Law Society of Ontario.
• Strong interest in public sector legal practice.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and prepare pleadings under supervision.
• Assist in municipal law matters and litigation processes.

Skills

Legal Research

Oral Communication

Written Communication

Time Management

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Legal Research Tools

Job description

Contribute to the City of Hamilton, one of Canada’s largest cities - home to a diverse and strong economy, an active and inclusive community, a robust cultural and dining scene, hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails and natural beauty just minutes from the downtown core, and so much more. Join our diverse team of talented and ambitious staff who embody our values of sensational service, courageous change, steadfast integrity, collective ownership and being engaged empowered employees. Help us achieve our vision of being the best place to raise a child and age successfully. #BeTheReason

• Job ID #31064: Articling Student
• Union: Non-Union
• Job Description ID #: 7690
• Close date: Interested applicants please submit your application online at www.hamilton.ca/city-council/jobs-city by 4:00 p.m. on May 21 2025.
  
• Duration: 12 Months
  
• Internal applicants should apply with your work e-mail address. External applicantsare considered only after the internal posting process has been completed. Only applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted.
  
  
  

Legal Services at the City of Hamilton

The Legal Services Division functions as the City of Hamilton’s in-house law firm. Our lawyers, with assistance from law clerks and legal assistants, provide comprehensive legal advice to the City’s Council, departments, and agencies on a variety of complex matters.

Articling Program at the City of Hamilton

Through the Articling Program, students will gain experience in four primary areas of legal practice.

Dispute Resolution

Lawyers within the Dispute Resolution represent the City in diverse and complex civil matters, including personal injury defence, damage to property claims, construction disputes, commercial leasing disputes, seeking injunctions related to the City’s by-laws, litigation related to Hamilton Police, and Constitutional, Charter and other challenges to municipal by-laws and council actions.

Under the supervision of experienced lawyers, you will have an opportunity to contribute to these proceedings by conducting legal research, preparing pleadings, gathering evidence, participating in discoveries, attending mediations, and arguing motions. The Articling Student may also have carriage of litigation files within the Small Claims Court jurisdiction.

Municipal

Lawyers within the Commercial, Development, Policy Group provide services to the City on a broad range of matters including by-law, policy drafting, and contracts. This group serves many different municipal divisions including Public Health, Housing, Paramedics, the Fire Department, Municipal Law Enforcement, and Procurement. Lawyers advise on the City’s authorities under the Municipal Act, 2001 and other legislation, and the application of legislation such as the Health Protection and Promotion Act, the Building Code, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004.

The Articling Student will assist in advising on matters that impact the City of Hamilton from a municipal law perspective. Under the supervision of several of the City’s experienced lawyers, the Articling Student will have the opportunity to participate in Ontario Land Tribunal appeal processes, research, and the review, negotiation, and drafting of various contracts.

Planning, Real Estate, and Development

Lawyers within the Planning, Real Estate, and Development group provide services to the City on matters related to land use planning, development implementation, and real property matters. This group primarily supports the Planning and Economic Development Department of the City. Lawyers in this group advise and represent the City on matters related to the Planning Act, Development Charges Act, Ontario Heritage Act, and the Ontario Building Code, which includes litigation before administrative tribunals such as the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Under the supervision of experienced lawyers, the Articling Student will have an opportunity to contribute on a range of different matters, both litigation and solicitor work, including assisting on or appearing on matters before the Ontario Land Tribunal, working on real estate transactions, negotiating development agreements, conducting legal research, and preparing reports to Council.

Municipal Prosecution

The Prosecution section is responsible for prosecuting a variety of matters falling under Part I and Part III of the Provincial Offences Act.

Under the guidance of experienced Prosecutors, this rotation will provide the Articling Student with an opportunity to conduct a variety of prosecutions, participate in early resolution meetings, deal with disclosure, do work on appeals, and get a window into the administrative work done by this section.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The City is seeking a well-rounded individual with interest and experience in our practice areas and a desire to work with broad range of clients. Strong law school grades, interest in gaining hands-on experience, and a desire to work in the public sector are important factors in our assessment.

You will need to be a graduate of a common law program offered by a university in Canada approved by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) at convocation (i.e., have received a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree) or holder of a Certificate of Qualification issued by the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA).

You are required to be a candidate who is entering or currently registered in the Law Society of Ontario's Lawyer Licensing Process Articling Program.

You should have:

- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly, and concisely present arguments and opinions.

- Strong legal research, interpretation, writing and examination skills.

- Effective organizational, administrative, and time management skills, including ability to handle multiple demands and produce high quality work under strict deadlines.

- Great problem-solving abilities with strong attention to detail.

- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office suite of products and legal research tools.

All applications must include: a cover letter, resume/CV, law school transcripts, and at least three references. National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) candidates are required to disclose their status in obtaining the NCA Certificate of Qualification. Please upload all documents as a single PDF.

The successful candidate will also perform other duties as assigned which are directly related to the responsibilities of the position.

We anticipate a start date in mid-July 2025 and a total duration of twelve (12) months. The position will largely be in office but may include a hybrid, work-from-home component.

We offer a very competitive salary for the region, great work-life balance, an opportunity to work with collegial and experienced lawyers, and the unique experience of working for a single tier municipality.

Disclaimer:

Be advised that Human Resources frequently audits resumes of internal/external applicants to ensure/validate information provided is consistent and trustworthy. Falsification of information provided at any time throughout the recruitment process may be grounds for disqualification, and for internal applicants, subject to discipline up to and including termination.

Terms:

The City is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. Consistent with our Values and Corporate Culture Pillars, the City of Hamilton is committed to providing equitable treatment to all with respect to barrier-free employment and accommodation without discrimination. The City will provide accommodation for applicants in all aspects of the hiring process, up to the point of undue hardship. If you have an accommodation need, please contact Human Resources as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements.

We invite you to visit the departmental webpage to obtain further information on the culture and business of this department.

The incumbent shall comply with all Health and Safety Policies and Practices for this position and the workplace.

It is the responsibility of the applicants to ensure that their application reaches Human Resources by the closing date or they may not be considered. It is also the responsibility of applicants to supply qualifications, licences and related experience relevant to the qualifications outlined above for this competition as directed. On the basis of the criteria set out above, this posting is open to all applicants

The statements made by me are true, complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification of statements, misrepresentations, deliberate omission or concealment of information may be considered just cause for discipline, up to and including termination for internal applicants and disqualification for external applicants.

Disclaimer:

Be advised that Human Resources frequently audits resumes of internal/external applicants to ensure/validate information provided is consistent and trustworthy.Falsification of information provided at any time throughout the recruitment process may be grounds for disqualification, and for internal applicants, subject to discipline up to and including termination.

Terms:

The City is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes.Consistent with our Values and Corporate Culture Pillars, the City of Hamilton is committed to providing equitable treatment to all with respect to barrier-free employment and accommodation without discrimination. The City will provide accommodation for applicants in all aspects of the hiring process, up to the point of undue hardship. If you have an accommodation need, please contact Human Resources as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements.