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Columbia, notes the Federation of Law Societies of Canada will address the issue of alternatives to articling at a September meeting in Prince Edward Island. Those talks will come as part of a wider discus- sion on the creation of uniform stan- dards for admission to the profession by all Canadian law societies, to ensure full mobility of lawyers across the country. While it's unclear what alterna- tives might be on the table at the P.E.I. meetings, the approach taken by other Commonwealth countries will likely be featured. New Zealand, for example, has gained notoriety for its Professional Legal Studies course, which sees LLB graduates complete a few months of practice train- ing on topics such as drafting, trial prepa- ration, advocacy, mediation, and profes- sional practice and responsibility. The U.K. utilizes a Bar Professional Training Course that involves one full year or two part-time years of practice simulations, practical training, and other skills devel- opment. A U.S.-style bar exam system has also been raised as a possible option. Treleaven says it's a bit difficult for ALBERTA LEGAL TELEPHONE DIRECTORY 2011-2012 A COMPLETE, ACCURATE AND CURRENT LISTING OF ALBERTA INFORMATION With the Alberta Legal Telephone Directory you'll have access to the most up-to-date names, addresses, phone, fax numbers and email addresses for all of the lawyers and law offices in Alberta, Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut. Also, gain quick and easy access to Courts, Judges and Court Officials, Law Related Services/ Organizations, Federal and Provincial Government Departments, Boards and Commissions. With: • alphabetical and geographical listings of Lawyers • alphabetical and geographical listings of Law Firms • alphabetical listings of Judges The durable spiralbound format saves you on every day wear and tear! Multiple copy discounts available: • 1 - 5 copies ...........................$38.50 Spiralbound • August 2011 On subscription $38.50 L88804-529-26056 One time purchase $38.50 L88804-529 Prices subject to change without notice, to applicable taxes and shipping & handling. • 6 - 49 copies .........................$37.50 • 5 - 99 copies ........................$36.50 • 100 or more copies ..............$35.50 Visit canadalawbook.ca or call 1.800.387.5164 for a 30-day no-risk evaluation the LSBC to track any articling short- ages in the province, due to its integrated approach to admissions that sees candi- dates first acquire an articling spot before entering the admissions stream. "We know that there's been a gradual rising trend in the number of students in B.C. in the program each year," he says. "But it doesn't tell us, on the face of it, whether there's that gap that Ontario would know on the face of it." He says the law society works with the B.C. law schools to deter- mine whether they're having any sig- nificant problems placing students, "and they haven't been having them," he says. Treleaven adds that the LSBC doesn't want the articling requirement to serve as a barrier to entry to the profession. Many lawyers have come to view the articling requirement as a deeply rooted tradition that must be preserved regardless of short-term consequences. Treleaven, for one, does not subscribe to that belief. He says law societies in Canada must act in the public interest to ensure newly called lawyers have effective, hands-on training that includes exposure to providing legal services to real clients. "Articling is the vehicle through which we've chosen to do that," he explains. "Any change that we make in the admis- sions process, if you ask us the question, 'How does that serve the public interest?' we'd better have a good answer." William Flanagan, dean of Queen's CANADA LAW BOOK® University's Faculty of Law, points to another key consideration that should be part of the discussion over articling's future: articling terms vary widely depend- ing on the type of firm for which students apprentice. It's certainly tough to argue that a student at a well-resourced Bay Street firm receives the same experience as one working under a sole practitioner in a small town. Flanagan suggests the better-resourced firms offer students the kind of mentorship the articling experi- ence intends to foster. That may not be possible, however, at smaller firms where each minute and dollar must be squeezed to turn a profit. "That's an important 46 A U GUST 2011 www. CANADIAN Lawyermag.com Alberta 1/2 page island.indd 1 6/13/11 1:06:36 PM