Canadian Lawyer 4Students

* ARTICLING TIPS FOR STUDENTS Tips for students who want to article at small fi rms and for small fi rms that want to set up articling programs. As law societies grapple with a crisis that could change articling forever, students are still looking for their own ways to clear the fi nal hurdle to a career in law. Staff writer Michael McKiernan asked articling students past and present for their advice on setting up articles away from the mainstream and at smaller fi rms. 1 20 SPRING 2 0 1 2 Bay Street fi rms run their articling programs like a well-oiled machine and provide a large chunk of the available spots, so it's no surprise that they're front of mind for law school career counsellors, says Toronto lawyer Omar Ha-Redeye. But the 2011 Ontario call advises more students to think small. "I think for people who are going into litigation, smaller fi rms are better op- tions. I was in court more than anybody I know. I was really thrown into the mix and was on my feet the whole time," he says. Aaron Grinhaus, who chairs the Ontario Bar Association's sole, small fi rm, and general practice section, says large fi rms "are not the be-all and end-all," adding that most private practice lawyers fall into this group. "You get your hands dirty articling in a smaller fi rm and then you can do anything. You can even practise for a bit and then go to one of those fi rms with some experience under your belt, and be useful to them, as opposed to being a drone for fi ve or six years before they either fi re you or make you a partner," he says. Communities outside the large urban centres also get short shrift from universities, according to Michele Allinotte, who runs a practice in Cornwall, Ont. "Sometimes the perception is it's beneath you or a lesser position because it's at a fi rm and in a place that nobody's heard of, but small fi rm lawyers are the ones delivering legal services to the people of Ontario. I do enjoy practising here and it's great in terms of quality of life and the ability to earn a decent income," she says. TAKE THE INITIATIVE "The articling position isn't going to come knocking at your door," says Vani Selvarajah, a Uni- versity of Alberta law graduate currently completing her articling in Ontario. She says networking was crucial in securing her spot. "A lot of people are willing to help. Many of them were in this position themselves." Small-fi rm lawyers, often too busy to worry about a marketing budget, may not have adver- tised their positions, so you're going to have to seek them out. In fact, they may not even know they want an articling student yet. Sometimes it's your job to show them the light, says Angela Sordi, a consultant at ZSA Legal Recruitment. "It's about selling the idea as well as yourself. Know the positive aspects and what an articling student can do for a small fi rm," says Sordi. Once you've made the case, move in for the kill. "Have the information ready about the requirement to be a principal, and bring them the forms to sign. Make their job easy. The less footwork people have to do, the more likely they are to be open to it," she says. C ANADIAN Lawy er 4STUDENTS HOW-TO THINK SMALL 2 MATT DALEY

• Cover