Our Process
We train our articled clerks and our lawyers in the same way: a combination of practical assignments on files with particular responsibility, ongoing evaluations, in-house seminars, and external Continuing Legal Education.
When articled clerks arrive, they go through a process of orientation to familiarize themselves with the firm, our processes and the firm's resources at their disposal. Each clerk is articled to a senior lawyer and in addition provided a mentor with whom they are encouraged to discuss matters of interest or concern in confidence.
At the beginning of the relationship we will set out our expectations so you can understand our responsibility and yours. We will assign work with clear instructions and deadlines, honour your own ability to motivate yourself to complete the work as assigned, and we commit to providing you with timely, relevant feedback.
Patterson Law has a formal review process involving a comprehensive evaluation of each associate's work at least every 12 months based on written comments by lawyers who have supervised the associate on substantive projects. In each office, the partner responsible for recruitment discusses these evaluations along with other issues relating to professional development with supervising lawyers and clerks.
Our clerks are expected to participate in external continuing legal education programs. In fact, many of our lawyers are presenters at these CLE programs.
Hire-back decisions are generally made in the early spring after consideration of each articled clerk's overall performance at the firm.
Email us at to receive information on:
- The Characteristics of a Successful Patterson Law Associate
- The Interview Process and Important Questions to Ask
- Our Benefits and Financial Compensation
