London, Ontario Family Law Articling Student Position

Vallillee Family Lawyers is hiring an articling student for the 2023-2024 term. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on and be exposed to family law and child protection files in London, Ontario (and surrounding areas), including Office of the Children’s Lawyer matters, assist with research, drafting, and client intakes, attend and speak to non-contentious court appearances, prepare for and observe conferences and motions, and may be given the opportunity to assist with trial preparation as well. Our articling student will also learn from and be expected to assist our law clerk with administrative tasks like preparing and filing confirmations, answering phone calls from clients and other offices, and opening and managing files, and will also be tasked with assisting with client-facing informational materials and social media outreach.

Expected Start Date: August 8, 2023

Articling Principal: Eric Vallillee

Required Background and Skills:

• Interest in family law and child protection work.
• Demonstrated interest in general litigation, including strong written advocacy skills, and a readiness to build confidence in oral advocacy as well.
• Knowledge of the CYFSA is not required, but would be a bonus, and should be reflected in your cover letter and/or resume.
• Eagerness to work as part of a small, close-knit team in a professional but friendly environment.
• Ability to work well and comfortably with clients, counsel, and other stakeholders of all backgrounds and personal situations. We proudly and happily serve clients from a broad range of backgrounds, and dealing with extremely varied personal situations. You must be completely comfortable with working with people regardless of their age, gender, cultural or ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, financial circumstances, or other personal characteristics and circumstances.
• You must be eligible to be enrolled in the Law Society’s experiential training (articling) program, and legally entitled to work in Canada.
• You must also be comfortable with current business technology including Zoom/videoconferencing, and be willing and able to learn how to use new software and electronic tools on an ongoing basis.
• Ability and willingness to learn and adhere to basic office policies about docketing (we’ll teach you!), handling cold calls and conflict checks.
• Interest in business and entrepreneurship.
• Strong sense of professionalism, common sense, initiative, willingness to ask questions when you don’t know how to do something, and ability to think clearly under pressure are all key.

This is mostly an on-site/in-person position. You will be given a workspace in our office, and be expected to work primarily in person both at the office and at courthouse locations in London, and occasionally in surrounding areas like St. Thomas, as a member of our team. As a smaller, boutique-style office, we offer excellent work-life balance, one-on-one guidance, and the opportunity to work as part of a friendly, welcoming team.

Salary: $40,000/year

There may be an opportunity for hireback.

Application Materials:

1. Cover letter including a statement of when you are available to begin work, when you plan to write the licensing exams, and why you’re interested in working in family law, in London, Ontario.
2. Resume
3. Undergraduate and current/up-to-date law school transcripts showing your current courses (unofficial transcripts downloaded from your university’s student portal are acceptable).
4. At least one reference letter, from any person you choose.
5. Writing sample.

**Applications must be submitted electronically to eric.v@valaw.ca and copied to stephanie@valaw.ca. Please send your documents in PDF format only.**

Application Deadline: Friday, February 17, 2023.

Interviews will be held in person, but if you are a student at a law school outside of London, we can set up the initial interview via Zoom if you wish. Please indicate in your cover letter if you are located out of town and prefer a Zoom interview.