How to Apply: Summer 2024
We are hiring 1st year Law Students for the summer of 2024. The 1st year student hiring process will commence with the opening of the viLawPortal on Monday, January 22, 2024. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. (MT) on January 29, 2024. We will be conducting in person interviews during the Law Society of Alberta's designated recruitment period, which runs from Tuesday, February 20, 2024, to Friday, February 23, 2024. We will be inviting candidates to social events during this period as well. Offer date and time is February 23, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. (MT).
All recruitment activity and timing occur in accordance with the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta.
Our students have prepared a guide to the application and interview process. We invite you to review the guide prior to applying as it may answer many of your questions.
Please submit your application through the online viLawPortal, which is accessible via our website. When applying through viLawPortal, once logged into the system, you can choose to apply to Bennett Jones' Edmonton office. We will acknowledge receipt of your application by email.
Applications should include:
- Cover letter (please address your cover letter to Mathieu LaFleche).
- Résumé.
- Law school transcript—a photocopy of an original transcript is acceptable.
- Undergraduate transcript(s)—a photocopy of an original transcript is acceptable.
- Graduate transcript(s), as applicable—a photocopy of an original transcript is acceptable.
- Reference letters (optional).
After reviewing all applications, we will advise students whether they have been selected for an interview.
For the summer of 2023, we had 5 summer students.
The 2nd year summer recruitment process was completed in October of 2023.
Articling 2025/2026
Hiring for the 2025/2026 articling term will occur in June of 2024 in accordance with the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta. Hiring for the 2024/2025 articling class took place in June 2023.
Work Assignment/Rotation System
We believe that the summer is a time for you to experience as much, or as little, of a practice area as you desire. As a summer student, you are free to work deeply in an area of your choosing or accept work from multiple areas.
During articles, we employ a rotation system. In our Edmonton office, you will spend six months in our advocacy department (focusing on general litigation matters, commercial litigation, construction litigation, medical malpractice, occupational health and safety laws, administrative/tribunal work, bankruptcy and insolvency and labour and employment), and six months in our business department (focusing on mergers and acquisitions, securities, banking, structured finance, real estate, construction law, energy law, transportation law, technology and IP).
Mentoring System
Each summer student is assigned a mentor who is an associate. The role of the mentor is to act as your host, introduce you to the firm and to assist with your workflow and work assignments.
Each articling student is assigned one principal (a partner) and one mentor (an associate) whose job it is to help you integrate into the firm and assist with your workflow and file management. In order to provide you with as much insight into the firm as possible, your principal and mentor will practice in different areas (one in business law and one in advocacy).
Professional Development
Through our own Bennett Jones Academy, we offer a series of in house seminars and programs to supplement your articles and your summer experience. Your ongoing professional development is a priority. This begins with an in depth orientation and continues with regular programs designed to build your practice management skills and provide you with introductions to specific practice areas. We also encourage our students to attend BJA sessions designed for associates.
Feedback
We recognize that feedback is essential to your development. Our articling/summer students receive regular informal feedback from assigning lawyers, principals and mentors and also receive formal reviews during the summer and during each articling rotation.
Social Events
Our students are encouraged to take part in social events at the firm. Our events focus on our commitment to the community and building lasting relationships amongst the students. Past events have included BBQs, associate and practice group dinners, office retreats and family ski weekend in the Rocky Mountains.
Start Dates
Summer Program
Our summer program usually runs from early May to the end of August. We anticipate that our 2024 summer students will join us on or about May 6, 2024.
Articling Program
Our 2024/2025 articling students are anticipated to start in the summer of 2024.
Bennett Jones