The Legal Services Department seeks an Articling Student for a 12-month contract beginning July 2027, consisting of an 8- to 10-month articling term followed by 2-4 months of additional employment. Reporting to the Deputy Regional Solicitor and Director of Legal Services, and working with staff lawyers across the department, the student will work on a wide range of legal matters to gain practical experience for entry-level practice.
The Legal Services Department provides legal services to all Regional departments and to Durham Regional Council. Our areas of practice are broad and diverse, and students take part in work that has a meaningful impact on the communities of Durham Region.
The department works under a hybrid work model, with in-office days at Regional Headquarters at 605 Rossland Road East in Whitby. Occasional travel to other locations might be required.
Under the guidance of an approved articling principal and working with staff lawyers, paralegals, law clerks and legal assistants, the incumbent will:
- Conduct legal research and draft clear, accurate memorandums and written advice for review.
- Assist in preparing litigation and tribunal materials, including pleadings, affidavits, factums, and document books.
- Appear before courts and administrative tribunals such as Provincial Offences Court, Small Claims Court, the Landlord and Tenant Board, the Ontario Land Tribunal and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
- Support client work by gathering facts, preparing summaries, and helping develop strategies for litigation and other matters.
- Assist with real property, municipal, and transactional work, including land use planning files, real estate transactions, and expropriation matters.
- Perform other duties as assigned, including administrative or file support tasks appropriate to an Articling Student.
Successful applicants will possess:
- A degree from, or be in the final year of, a common law program leading to an LL.B. or J.D. degree at a Canadian law school approved by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO), or have completed or be completing final National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) requirements and be eligible to receive a Certificate of Qualification within six months.
- Registration or eligibility to register for the LSO lawyer licensing process before July 2027.
- Eligibility to complete the experiential training component of the lawyer licensing process through the Articling Program after July 1, 2027.
- Clear written and oral communication demonstrated through class presentations, research memos, case briefs, or participation in moot or negotiation competitions, clinics, or equivalent.
- Research ability shown through analyzing statutes, case law, or policy materials in coursework or applied projects.
- Problem-solving skills demonstrated through identifying issues, weighing options, and recommending solutions in assignments, team projects, or real client files.
- An open and respectful approach to engaging colleagues with diverse perspectives.
- Ability to draft, edit, and format documents and manage email and calendars in Microsoft 365, including working with shared files.
- Ability to use legal research tools such as CanLII and Westlaw.
- Willingness to travel within the Region and surrounding area for site visits, meetings, hearings, library research, or educational activities as needed.
Assets:
- Interest in public sector or municipal work, including how local government decisions shape communities.
- Exposure to real-world legal settings through part-time work, volunteering, or observation.
- Experience working with the public in any setting.
- Coursework in areas relevant to municipal work such as administrative, land use planning, real estate, labour and employment, or contract law.
- Familiarity with legal research platforms and document management tools.
- Interest in clear, disciplined contract drafting, including emphasis on plain language writing style.
- Familiarity with or interest in generative artificial intelligence tools and chatbots.
- Comfort learning new software or adapting to new workflows.
- Curiosity about how local government decisions shape communities.
- Valid driver's licence and access to a vehicle.
