Canadian Lawyer

EXCLUSIVELY ON EDITOR'S DESK BY GAIL J. COHEN A turning point about it for years; in 2008 the Law Society of Upper Canada looked at the future of articling, reports were written, nothing much happened. The status quo continues to this day. However, in December the LSUC put out a 134-page consultation report again looking at the future of articling. It offers up five ways to deal with the current crisis: maintaining the status quo; the A status quo with quality assurance improvements; the replacement of a pre-licensing transition requirement with a post-licensing transition requirement; a choice of either articling or a practical legal training course; or only a practical legal training course. The law society is in the midst of consultations with the profession on which option is the best to move forward (you have until March 15 to submit your thoughts to the LSUC or attend one of the consultation meetings). From attending a recent con- sultation, one would get the impression the society already has made up its mind on what's best: the combo of articling and a practical legal training course. While on first glance that may seem like a good idea, I think in the long run, it probably won't be. Firstly, it will mean that in terms of bureaucracy, the LSUC will have to run two systems to monitor both streams. I think we can all agree that is not what the LSUC needs. Secondly, how will there be equality between a training course and articling? And even if that gets worked out, will a young lawyer who has taken the course instead of articling be treated the same by prospective employers? Will there be inherent biases creating roadblocks to success for lawyers who take the course? All I can foresee is problems and inequity in that approach. It apparently works in parts of Australia, but I say choose one or the other. The reality is that there are articling position shortages, not just in Ontario but in other provinces as well. Although from what I hear, Saskatchewan firms are thriv- ing and looking for articling students. It would seem that the option of maintaining articles as they are or with some extra checks and balances wouldn't work. The idea of a course, likely costing prospective lawyers more money on top of their law school and other student loan debt, may work. But what you don't see is the U.S.-style option of letting students write bar exams and then go out into the world as licensed lawyers to either find employment or start their own firms. Personally, I think there is great value in articling but the system is broken. We'll see in a few months, how the LSUC thinks it's going to fix it. This is undoubtedly a turning point in the future of the profession. Group Publisher: Karen Lorimer Editorial Director: Gail J. Cohen gail.cohen@thomsonreuters.com Staff Writer: Michael McKiernan michael.mckiernan@thomsonreuters.com Copy Editor: Katia Caporiccio Art Director: Bill Hunter Account Co-ordinator: Catherine Giles catherine.giles@thomsonreuters.com Contributors: Jean Sorensen, donalee Moulton, Kathryn Leger, Geoff Ellwand Canadian Lawyer is published 11 times a year by Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd., One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Rd., Toronto ON. M1T 3V4 (416) 298-5141. Fax : (416) 649-7870 All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted without written permission. The opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily those of the publisher. Information presented is compiled from sources believed to be accurate, however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. 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For all circulation inquiries and address changes send a copy of your mailing label or labels along with your request in writing to Canadian Lawyer , One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Rd., Toronto, ON. M1T 3V4 few years ago, one of the biggest issues law firms were dealing with was associate retention. Well, you won't hear anyone talking about that anymore. Now, the topic on everyone's lips is articling. There have been rumblings CANADIAN Lawye rmag.com Th e Accidental Mentor Lee Akazaki's new column off ers mentorship advice for young lawyers. February 13 Human Rights . . . Here & Th ere University of Ottawa law school's Sonya Nigam's column on human rights and international law. February 13 Trials & Tribulations Margaret Waddell ruminates on issues of import and interest to litigators. February 13 David Paul's Field Notes Tips for the solo and small fi rm from B.C.'s David Paul. February 20 Defi nitely Mabey Stephen Mabey examines the thorny issues facing law fi rm management. February 20 Th e IT Girl Sarah Dale-Harris takes a wry look at the intersection of technology and the law. February 20 Trial by Fire First-year associate Lindsay Scott shares the ups and downs of learning on the job. February 20 Class Acts Kirk Baert's new column takes a critical look at class action litigation in this country. February 27 Managing Partner Forum In the second of this year's special series, Pitblado's Bruce King gives his insights on law fi rm rebranding. February 27 Letter from Law Law Land Wit and wisdom from Vancouver's Tony Wilson. February 27 Making Rain Executive coach Debra Forman's video column on career and business development. February 27 www.CANADIAN Lawyermag.com FEBRUA R Y 2012 3

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