Preparing the next generation of lawyers
During a separate five-month rotation in litigation and dispute resolution, students have opportunities to work on commercial litigation and civil litigation files in various practice areas: Family Law, Personal Injury Law, Employment Law, and Estate Litigation.
Students make court appearances for motions, assist at discoveries and trials, and support partners and associates with research, drafting, file and client management.
We encourage articling students to share their ideas at our firm, contributing to our hard-working culture, and diving into real-world legal matters. Everyone’s growth is supported by a team of approachable lawyers who are dedicated to pass along their legal knowledge.
Harrison Pensa hires four or five students during the articling student application process based on guidelines established by the Law Society of Ontario.
During the next round of recruitment, applications should include the following:
- Covering letter
- Résumé
- A copy of your undergraduate transcript and your law school transcript to date, as well as your graduate transcript, if applicable. (If the timing of release of marks at your law school is such that your transcript will not reflect your most recent grades, please feel free to provide whatever unofficial record about those grades that is available from your law school.
- A list of the law school courses in which you are enrolled, or in which you anticipate enrolling, in your third year.
- Reference letters are not required but are welcome.
Get to know your interviewers. When we schedule an articling interview with you, we’ll tell you which lawyers you’ll meet. Go to their biography and get to know them: the work they do, the clients they serve, the community groups with which they’re active.
Learn about the firm. We know you’re interviewing with several firms. Do your homework about Harrison Pensa. Learn our history, our primary practice areas, and the clients we serve.
- What has drawn you to apply in London for an articling student position?
- What has drawn you to apply to Harrison Pensa?
- Where do you see yourself practising after articling? In 10 years?
- What areas of law have drawn your interest up to now?
- What questions about the firm or our programs do you have?
Articling students receive a weekly salary of $1,000. They receive two weeks of paid vacation, in addition to a paid week to prepare for the Bar Exam. We pay for students to enrol in the Bar Exam. We also offer health care and dental coverage, group and optional life insurance, subsidized parking for vehicles, and bike parking.
Each student receives one-on-one onboarding with a Learning and Development Coordinator to become familiar with our IT systems, training to use legal research software, and access to Middlesex Law Association and Western Law libraries. HP University is a series of sessions throughout the articling program to introduce students to different practice areas, what to expect during discoveries, and other topics.
Harrison Pensa gives students and lawyers a competitive advantage with advanced technology for legal research and workflow management. We maintain high standards for data security training and operational excellence as part of our commitment to the security and privacy of sensitive data.
We host social events throughout the year and invite students to attend firm events, including access to our box at Budweiser Gardens for sporting events and concerts. Join sports groups or get involved in community service. Well-being is a priority with access to a meditation room, casual Fridays, and open invitations to weekly informal gatherings to catch up and unwind.
Harrison Pensa articling students write blogs about their experiences and offer tips to 1L students, sharing their perspective about the recruitment process, hirebacks, and deciding what area of law to practice. They also share their knowledge about areas of practice for a general audience and learn how to promote themselves and their practice.
Harrison Pensa is a collegial firm that keeps professional hours in one of Ontario’s most vibrant emerging high-tech cities. Located in the heart of Southwestern Ontario, London has the benefit of a competitive cost of living, easy commutes, and a variety of entertainment and shopping — all the amenities of the big city without the challenges.
Law Student Committee
