Vancouver Summer and Articling Programs
Blakes student programs are designed to ensure that students receive well-rounded experience by exposing them to different areas of business law and robust training opportunities.
The student experience is defined by legal excellence, exceptional people and lasting relationships. At Blakes, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where every individual can be their authentic self, recognizing that this is essential for both personal and organizational success.
Train With the Best Lawyers in Canada.
Our well-rounded student programs are a springboard to a fulfilling career in law. Here's what you can expect.
Recruitment Process/Program Overview
We understand that selecting the right law firm is a significant decision. At Blakes, we aim to make the recruitment process as transparent and straightforward as possible to help you make an informed choice.
While applicants’ experience may vary from year to year, below is a general overview of what you can expect:
Interview Format: The first interview, conducted with lawyers at the Firm, will be approximately 30 to 45 minutes long. Candidates will also have an opportunity to meet with an associate and an articling student. For scheduling purposes, students may expect to be at the Firm for 60–90 minutes for first interviews. The second interview will be in the form of an individual dinner with the candidate and lawyers from the Firm. Additional meetings with members of the Firm may also be arranged.
Working With Our Lawyers
The summer experience at Blakes is flexible and dynamic. It allows students to target areas of interest while working with various lawyers and experiencing how our different practice groups collaborate to support our clients. Students are encouraged and enabled to try a bit of everything during their summer so that they can make an informed decision when selecting practice groups to focus on during their articles.
The articling program builds on the summer experience and is designed to provide students with well-rounded training and exposure to our core areas of practice. Students can request to work more closely with specific groups, and they rotate to different floors as part of our three-rotation system. This approach allows students to tailor their articles to suit their individual interests as they develop their skills under the guidance and supervision of experienced lawyers.
The Vancouver practice groups include:
Mentoring
Blakes has a long tradition of providing a strong foundation for legal careers through top-notch mentoring. Our mentorship program is at the core of what we do. Our lawyers benefited from the mentorship they received from more senior members of the Firm, and paying it forward to the next generation of students is a natural part of our culture.
During their summer and articling experience, students are assigned a team of mentors from different practice groups and at various levels of seniority. These mentors work collaboratively to ensure that students are integrated into the Firm and receive interesting and varied work assignments. The team approach to mentoring differentiates our program and sets our students up for success.
Professional Development
Our investments in continued learning at Blakes reflect our belief that training our people and providing ongoing education are key to our success. Students benefit from a comprehensive orientation and professional development program. This program exposes students to different practice groups and helps them develop their legal and professional skills.
Pro Bono Work
Blakes takes a leadership role in supporting pro bono initiatives in Canada. The Firm was among the first national law firms in Canada to adopt a formal pro bono policy that recognizes the value of work done on pro bono matters. Our legal professionals, including students, are encouraged to seek out opportunities to undertake pro bono work.
Associates can receive billable credit for up to 150 hours of pro bono work per year. Our legal professionals, including students, are encouraged to seek out opportunities to undertake pro bono work and give back to the community.
For more information on our Pro Bono clients click here.
Evaluation and Feedback
Our goal in the evaluation and feedback process is to help students develop their skills and competencies. Our lawyers give students regular, informal feedback on their performance. The formal evaluation process takes place at the end of the summer for our summer students and at the end of each rotation for our articling group. Each student has a performance review meeting to discuss the feedback they’ve received with members of the Student Committee. In addition to providing useful and constructive information, these meetings give students a forum to discuss their experiences, make recommendations, and identify any additional training or work opportunities they would like to receive.
Social Events
Blakes holds social events for students throughout the summer and articling terms to ensure they get to know each other and our staff and lawyers. Past events have included go-karting, cooking classes, a fireworks boat cruise and an evening at the horse races.
Compensation
Blakes compensates all our students competitively within the market. For more information, please reach out to Barbara Wang, Manager, Student Programs & EDI.
Awards & Recognition
Blakes is honoured to be recognized as a top law firm by many different organizations. For more information about the Firm’s awards and achievements visit our website.
