What is an Articled Clerk?

An articled clerk is someone who works for a lawyer or law firm. They are training to become lawyers themselves one day. The articled clerk helps the lawyer with different tasks. They also do this as part of learning how to be a lawyer. It’s like an apprenticeship, where you learn by working with someone who already knows the job well.

Most articled clerks are young people who just finished law school. After law school, they need real-world experience working in a law office. That’s where being an articled clerk comes in. It allows them to see what it’s like to be a lawyer daily. They can use what they learned in school to help real clients with legal problems.

The Kind of Work Articled Clerks Do

So what exactly does an articled clerk do? Well, they help with all sorts of things around the law office. One of the primary jobs is legal research. Let’s say a lawyer is working on a case. They might ask their articled clerk to look up laws and old court cases that could help them argue their point better in court. The clerk will spend time in the law library or searching online to find this information.

Drafting Legal Documents

Articled clerks also help write legal documents, such as contracts, wills, or court motions. The lawyer tells the clerk what needs to be in the document. The clerk then writes up a draft. The lawyer checks it over and makes any changes required. It’s good practice for the clerk since lawyers spend a lot of time writing.

Talking with Clients

Another thing articled clerks sometimes do is meet with clients. They might sit in while the lawyer talks to the client about their case. This helps the clerk learn how to interview clients and understand their needs. The clerk can also explain legal options to the client quickly. Clients often have many questions, so articled clerks need to be patient and helpful.

How Long Articles Last

Being an articled clerk is usually a short-term position. Most articles last around a year, sometimes a little more or less. The idea is to give the clerk enough time to learn the basics of being a lawyer. They should see many different types of cases during this time. That way, they’ll be well-rounded and ready to take on all sorts of law work in the future.

The Articling Term

The time that someone is an articled clerk is often just called their “articling term.” For example, a law student might say, “I’m looking forward to starting my articling term next year.” Or a new lawyer could say, “I finished my articling term last month.” So, if you hear someone talk about articling, that’s usually what they mean.

Getting Hired as an Articled Clerk

Law students usually start looking for articled clerk positions while still in school. Many law firms hire articled clerks each year. They post job ads and conduct interviews, just like any other job. However, it can be competitive, and many students want to get experience at the best law firms.

What Law Firms Look For

So, what makes someone a good candidate for an articling job? Law firms like to see students who did well in their classes. Good grades are a must. But they also want people with other skills, like writing well, researching, and talking to clients. Any legal work experience from summer jobs or volunteering also looks good on a resume.

The Application Process

Students send in resumes and cover letters to apply for articling jobs. They might also have to take a writing test to show they can draft a legal document. If the law firm likes their application, they’ll call them for an interview. The interview allows the firm to see if the student would fit. They’ll ask why the student wants to be a lawyer and what kind of law they’re most interested in.

Choosing the Right Firm

Law students must find an articling position at a firm that matches their interests. If they want to practice criminal law, they should apply to firms that handle many criminal cases. A business-focused firm would be better if they’re more interested in corporate law. The articling term is a big part of their legal training, so getting experience in an area they enjoy is good.

Life as an Articled Clerk

Once someone gets hired as an articled clerk, they’re ready to learn the ropes of being a lawyer. It’s an exciting time but can also be a bit overwhelming at first. There’s a lot to learn, and the days can be extended.

The Work Environment

Most articled clerks work in an office at their law firm. They’ll have their desk and computer. The dress code is usually formal, so they must wear business clothes like suits. The hours can vary, but most clerks work a standard workday from 9 to 5. Sometimes, they might have to stay late if a big project or a deadline is coming up.

Interacting with Lawyers and Staff

Articled clerks work closely with the lawyers at their firm. They’ll get assignments and feedback from them regularly. Clerks need to be professional and respectful in these interactions. The lawyers are their mentors, so clerks should listen to their advice and guidance.

Clerks will also work with other staff at the law firm, like paralegals and legal assistants. These people can be a big help since they often have much experience. Clerks should be friendly and team-oriented in their dealings with colleagues.

Learning Opportunities

One of the best parts of being an articled clerk is all the learning opportunities. Every day, clerks are seeing the law in action. They’re not just reading about cases in textbooks anymore. They see how lawyers build arguments, negotiate with other parties, and advocate for their clients.

Many law firms also offer training sessions for their articled clerks. These could be lunchtime talks about a particular area of law or workshops on practical skills like public speaking. Clerks should take advantage of these chances to learn as much as possible.

Moving on After Articles

After articled clerks finish their term, they have a few different options. Some will stay on at the same law firm and become associate lawyers. Others will apply to different firms now that they have some experience under their belts.

Taking the Bar Exam

No matter where they work, all articled clerks must pass the bar exam before becoming fully qualified lawyers. The bar exam is a big test covering all areas of law and is quite challenging.

Articled clerks will spend a lot of time studying for the bar exam. Their articling term is meant to help prepare them by giving them practical knowledge. But they’ll still need to hit the books and review all the legal concepts they learned in law school.

Starting a Legal Career

Once they pass the bar exam, former articled clerks are officially lawyers. They can start their careers and begin building a practice of their own. Some will become partners at law firms, while others might open their own law offices.

But no matter where they end up, all lawyers start as articled clerks. It’s a rite of passage in the legal profession. The skills and experience they gain during their articling term will stay with them throughout their careers. So, while being an articled clerk is a lot of hard work, it’s an important stepping stone to becoming a successful lawyer.