SGM’s Ottawa office is interested in hiring students who are committed to the highest standards in the practice of labour and employment law from the union/employee perspective.

The primary focus of the articling experience in Ottawa is on all aspects of labour and employment law, including labour arbitration, proceedings before both federal and provincial labour relations tribunals, human rights and equity issues (including Charter litigation) and pension and benefits law. Students may also have an opportunity to work on some of our public interest cases, including cases involving international trade and the privatization of public resources.

Under the supervision and guidance of lawyers, articling students take an active role in all aspects of case preparation. Students interview clients, identify and interview witnesses and research the law. Students are also responsible for drafting opinion letters, legal memoranda, submissions, pleadings and facta.

Articling students have an opportunity to work with all of the lawyers in SGM’s Ottawa office, as well as with some of our Toronto lawyers. Students are encouraged to attend both tribunal and court hearings with lawyers, in order to see cases through from start to finish and to witness a variety of styles of advocacy. On occasion, students may represent clients in minor matters.

SGM’s Ottawa office has an excellent law library containing numerous general, labour law and human rights law reports and digests, as well as legal texts, periodicals and other resources. In addition, students have access to Quicklaw and other electronic research services.

While not required, bilingualism is an asset for an articling position in the Ottawa office.

Students articling in SGM’s labour/civil areas of practice have been organized for almost thirty years and their terms and conditions of employment are set out in a collective agreement between SGM and the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, Local 343.

SGM conducts all articling recruitment in accordance with the rules and guidelines of the Law Society of Upper Canada. Please check the LSUC website for information regarding application deadlines, scheduling of interviews and offers of employment.

Law students who wish to apply for an articling position in Ottawa should send an application to Fiona Campbell. All applications must include:

• a cover letter;
• a resume; and
• all law school and university transcripts

Applicants may also wish to include written references in their applications.

For more information about articling in SGM’s Ottawa office, contact Fiona Campbell.