The Program

Duncan Craig LLP has a unique and fulfilling articling student program that has been developed by our Articling Committee and evolved and improved by our students each year. Students are treated as important members of the firm and are supported and encouraged throughout the articling year to help them develop into confident and capable lawyers.

The program consists of a formal rotation in the litigation and solicitors practice areas. These rotations are accompanied by a relocation of the student’s office within the firm. This gives our students not only the benefit of working in different areas, but also having a better understanding of the day to day experience of the lawyers in each practice group. Students can expect to do legal research and writing, draft correspondence and other documents, and attend at various meetings, transaction closings, court applications and questionings.

Students will also be on a rotating schedule for chambers applications and document filing at the law courts. This is intended to provide the students with additional comfort and familiarity with the experience of attending and speaking in court.

Throughout the articling year, students will receive two reviews with the Articling Committee during which they will receive feedback from the partners on their work and can discuss their own experience with their articling year.

Students can also participate in the firm’s various social events which give students an opportunity to meet the partners, associates and staff in a more casual setting.

Hireback Policy

Duncan Craig LLP hires their students with the intention that they will be kept on as associates and eventually become partners at our firm. We do not have a set number of students that we hire each year, though generally it has been between two and three.

Duncan Craig LLP also does not have a set number of associates they hire each year, it depends entirely on the “fit” of the student with the firm and the availability of work in any particular practice area.

Other Benefits of Articling at Duncan Craig LLP

PREP Day

We give each of our students going through the PREP Program a full day off each week where the student is encouraged to dedicate the day to working on their PREP assignments from home.

Principals

In accordance with the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta, each student will also be matched with a principal. The Articling Committee spends a significant amount of time pairing each new articling student with a principal that they feel will have the time, energy and the right personality to be able to assist and support the student. Students and principals are encouraged to meet regularly to discuss the student’s workload, experiences and any questions or issues that may arise.

Salary and Benefits

Duncan Craig LLP provides competitive salary and health benefits to all articling students.

Talisa Pon

Talisa Pon earned her Bachelor of Commerce (2015) and completed her Juris Doctor (2023) at the University of Alberta. In law school she volunteered with Student Legal Services and the Edmonton Community Legal Centre. Talisa enjoys travelling and her favourite country is Italy but considers Switzerland her second home as she has family there. During her downtime she loves hanging out with her two dogs (Yorkie + Maltese) and as a former competitive figure skater she likes getting out on a rink.

Jennalee Steadman

Jennalee Steadman obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (with Distinction) from the University of Calgary. She completed her Juris Doctor (with Distinction) from the University of Alberta in 2023. In law school she received the Faculty of Law Undergraduate Scholarship during law school and proudly volunteered with Student Legal Services in the Legal Education and Reform Project as well as the Trans ID Clinic. Jennalee also played for the Panda Bearristers (the UAlberta Faculty of Law women’s rugby team). Her hobbies include yoga, baking, hiking and skiing.

2024/2025 Articling Application Deadline

Duncan Craig LLP will be welcoming applications in the spring of 2023 from students seeking an articling position for the 2024/2025 articling year. The deadline for submitting your application is May 12, 2023. Interviews will take place in June, 2023. Your application should be addressed to Erin Burton, Chair, Articling Committee.

Your application should include a cover letter, a complete resume, copies of official transcripts from both law school and your undergraduate studies, and any letters of reference you wish to submit.

You can submit your application either by regular mail to our Edmonton office or electronically by email as a single attachment to students@dcllp.com. Electronic resumes are preferred.

Please email students@dcllp.com for all questions and inquiries related to the student recruitment process at Duncan Craig LLP. Thanks so much.

2023 Summer Student Application Deadline

Duncan Craig LLP will be welcoming applications from first year law students for 2023 summer student positions. The deadline for submitting your application will be January 31, 2023. Interviews will take place in accordance with the timeframe set by the Law Society of Alberta.

If you are a first year law student interested in applying, please forward your resume to students@dcllp.com by January 31, 2023. Your application should be addressed to Erin Burton, Chair, Articling Committee and should include a cover letter, a complete resume, copies of available undergraduate transcripts and any letters of reference you wish to submit.

Applications may be submitted either by regular mail to our Edmonton office or electronically by email as a single attachment to students@dcllp.com. Electronic resumes are preferred.