With the help of staff, students accepted into the program go through the roster to find a placement. Law firms don’t have prior knowledge of the student’s experience. Students receive mentorship from their firms and an equity ombudsperson checks in with the student and law firm.
One principal who worked with articling students in the program said they found mentorship particularly special and rewarding.
Longer wait times due to demand
One of the challenges facing the LSA is placement. People are becoming more aware of the program, even with lawyers referring articling students in their firms to it. Increased interest has led to longer wait times for students accepted into the program and seeking placements. Ghitter says the law society is working on recruiting more law firms with an emphasis on northern Alberta, where the majority of students are placed.
“The reality is roster firms can’t take articling students all the time,” says Ghitter. “We try to give students a choice of firms if possible because it’s important for students to have agency in this process. The more firms we have, the better we can place students.”
The program’s goal is for students to have a way to continue in the profession. “Fundamentally, the program is about giving these students a better start,” says Ghitter. “Articling is difficult, and our profession wants to welcome students and make sure they have a good start.”