LAA-25-10 - Articling Student (Calgary)

Legal Aid Alberta; Calgary; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable Albertans as an Articling Student. This full-time position in Calgary offers a unique opportunity to work closely with experienced lawyers across various practice areas, including criminal and family law. You'll gain valuable hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful legal services that make a difference in the lives of those in need. Engage in legal research, client file management, and advocacy, all while developing your skills in a supportive environment. If you're passionate about justice and eager to learn, this is the perfect role for you.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Law Degree from a recognized institution.
• Approval from the Law Society of Alberta is essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist lawyers with client files and manage them professionally.
• Conduct legal research and writing as directed by staff lawyers.

Skills

Legal Research

Legal Writing

Advocacy

Problem Solving

Conflict Resolution

Time Management

Education

Law Degree

Approval from Law Society of Alberta

Tools

MS Office

Web-based Legal Research Tools

Job description

About Legal Aid Alberta

Legal Aid Alberta is seeking to fill one full-time Articling Student position in our downtown Calgary office for the 2026-2027 Articling Term. As an articling student at Legal Aid Alberta, you will join our legal team that helps vulnerable Albertans across the province during some of the most difficult times in their lives. You will work with exceptional people who share our values and passion, supporting our mission to help Alberta’s most disadvantaged. Through professional, effective, and accessible services, we make a difference in the lives of Albertans and deliver value that extends beyond those who receive our services.

This articling position will appeal to individuals who take initiative, are client-focused, and are committed to delivering high-quality results. The articling experience at Legal Aid Alberta provides exposure to all our practice areas, including criminal, family, and immigration law, or can be tailored to meet a student’s specific interests in criminal or family law.

Job Description

Reporting to the Principal Lawyer, key responsibilities of the Articling Student include:

1. Providing assistance to criminal and family staff lawyers on client files, and managing assigned client files to professional standards and in accordance with the Rules and Code of Conduct of the Law Society of Alberta and the Rules of Legal Aid Alberta.
2. Observing staff lawyers in their role as Duty Counsel, learning and performing the duties of Duty Counsel to professional standards and in accordance with the Law Society of Alberta and Legal Aid Alberta rules.
3. Conducting legal research and legal writing as requested by staff lawyers.
4. Negotiating competent resolutions of files to achieve early, cost-effective, and lasting outcomes for clients.
5. Participating in projects or initiatives as directed by the General Counsel and Advisory Services Team or other business units.
6. Successfully completing PREP requirements throughout the articling year.
7. Participating in performance reviews, staff meetings, and in-house training opportunities.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Law Degree from a recognized Law School.
• Approval from the Law Society of Alberta to be an articling student.
• Experience with Student Legal Services, Student Legal Assistance, Pro Bono Student Association, or volunteering at a legal clinic or organization serving our clientele is an asset.

Knowledge

• Rules of Court and criminal, family, and immigration legislation.
• Legal research, writing, drafting, legal analysis, and the preparation of facts and briefs.
• Advocacy, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills.
• Comfort with technology, including MS Office, web-based legal research tools, and other online resources.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience working with complex clients.
• Understanding of community resources available to clients with complex needs.

Skills

• Proficiency in criminal and family law areas relevant to LAA services.
• Strong time management skills and ability to handle conflicting priorities and deadlines.
• Capability to work effectively under pressure in high-conflict situations.
• Ability to investigate facts, identify issues, analyze risks, and advise clients on appropriate actions.

How to Apply

If you are excited about joining our team and meet the minimum qualifications, please select ‘Apply Now’ to create a Candidate account. Include your application package (cover letter, resume, and most recent transcripts). LAA will participate in the Law Society’s Articling recruitment process, with applications accepted until May 20, 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.