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.

Neil Coghlan

Neil Coghlan received his Bachelor of Arts degree (with Distinction) from the University of Alberta in 6. In 2020, Neil completed his Juris Doctor at the University of Alberta. While in law school, Neil sat as the President of the Golden Bearristers Law Rugby Club and as Operations Chair for Law Show. Neil volunteers with Shepard’s Care Home and particularly enjoys supporting their Remembrance Day ceremony. Neil is fluent in French and enjoys spending his spare time tinkering with tech projects, reading, cooking, jogging, or doing trivia. In his youth, Neil played soccer for a nationally ranked club team and currently enjoys playing the more casual side of Men’s soccer. Neil also played club rugby for the St. Albert Rugby Football Club and enjoys golfing with friends. He remains a proud resident of Saint Albert.

Evan Horbay

Evan Horbay received his Bachelor of Arts (with Distinction) from the University of Alberta in 2014. He received his Master of Public Administration from the University of Regina in 2016, and completed his Juris Doctor at the University of Alberta in 2020. While in law school, Evan received the AI Shumiatcher Memorial Prize in Advocacy, the OUTlaw and Friends Inclusivity Award, and the Halyna Chomiak Freeland Memorial Award for community involvement. He was the President of OUTlaw, and also sat on the Faculty Student Appeals and Recruitment Committees. During the summer months, Evan worked at the University of Alberta’s Health Law Institute and in the legal department of a local not-for-profit organization. Prior to law school, he worked in Government Relations at the University of Alberta. In his spare time, Evan volunteers with local political campaigns, enjoys live theatre, and loves to travel. He can often be found trying new restaurants around the city, or relaxing with his dog, Kona.

2022/2023 Articling Application Deadline

Duncan Craig LLP will be welcoming applications in the spring of 2021 from students seeking an articling position for the 2022/2023 articling year. The deadline for submitting your application is May 15, 2021. Interviews will take place in June, 2021. Your application should be addressed to Diane Ferrante, 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.

Duncan Craig LLP is not participating in on campus interviews for summer student positions in 2021.