HOW DO I APPLY?

Resumes may be sent to:
Ricketts, Harris LLP
Suite 816, 181 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2X7

Attn: Elizabeth Mourao
emourao@rickettsharris.com
 

OUR STUDENTS:

2011/2012:
• David Sherr
• Joseph Figliomeni

2012/2013:
• Jason Sacha
• Dana Lue

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS:

It was nearly 12 months ago that I arrived bright and early for what was to be the last time I showed up both bright and early to Ricketts, Harris LLP. From that day forward it was one or the other (and occasionally neither). However, despite not being a morning person, everyone at Ricketts, Harris LLP has always supported me, mentored me, and allowed me the opportunity to gain tremendous experience working on an array of challenging and interesting work.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to you all. It has been a wonderful year and I could not be happier about where I articled. Tomorrow I will be called to the bar and I could not have done it without you.

- Rudi Lof 2010/2011

I had the opportunity to be exposed to different areas of practice, including all aspects of Family Law, Corporate Law, and Litigation.  I found that the open door policy offered at Ricketts, Harris LLP helped me develop the skills and abilities which I currently utilize in my law practice.  As an articling student at Ricketts, Harris LLP, you will obtain a vast array of experience which will allow you to pursue a variety of career options.

- Ravital Khardas 2009/2010

“I experienced working in many different areas of law and was able to determine what practice area interested me most.  I worked on everything from large corporate deals, to carrying many of my own Small Claim files. I got to view the legal world from the perspective of both a barrister and solicitor. Most importantly, I was given a great deal of independence, but knew that support was always right around the corner if needed. I would highly recommend Ricketts Harris to others who are just getting started in their legal careers.

- Marc Gertner 2009/2010

We offer students an unparalleled opportunity to work in a downtown law firm that is large enough to expose you to a full articling experience in all major practice areas but in an environment that is small and collegial enough to give you direct, real exposure to clients and a diverse case load.

These are some of the most-commonly asked questions about articling with us.

• WHAT'S THE FIRM LIKE?

We are a small but growing downtown Toronto firm with 18 lawyers. As you will read in our service area pages, we cover most specialities of law needed to fully serve our clients.

We have been in existence since the 1920's and in our present location since 1983. Each lawyer has an area of focus, which is set out in their bios. The small size of the firm and broad base of our practice allows the two students which we hire annually to receive a practical articling experience that is unrivalled in Toronto.

Please also see our:
Statement for Articling Students
• WHERE WILL THE WORK COME FROM?

Your work is not assigned by any one person nor does the firm have a formal rotation system. You will receive assignments from all of the lawyers in the office which provides you with a broad experience of a variety of work. At the end of the articling year you will have been exposed to most of the areas of law that make up our practice. We give our students a great deal of independence which allows a 'hands on' experience not available in many other firms. You meet and sit in on client interviews and wherever possible follow files from start to finish. Depending on our caseload you will attend a civil and matrimonial trial and appear in Small Claims Court and on Masters motions.
   
• HOW WILL I OBTAIN FEEDBACK?

You are assigned a mentor at the start of the articling year as well as an Articling Principal. And each lawyer who assigns work to you is required to review your work.

Your mentor meets with you as often as necessary to review the type of work you are receiving and resolve any issues. If there are gaps in the work being assigned, the mentor will seek other types of work on your behalf to ensure your articling experience is well balanced. The mentors are also expected to instruct you in office procedures, file management techniques, time management, marketing and other non-legal skills that are essential to the practice of law. Several times a year, you will meet with your Principal to review your progress.

• WHAT OTHER ADVANTAGES ARE THERE TO YOUR FIRM?

Because of our size, all of the lawyers are available and accessible as a resource. We have a collegial atmosphere that makes the experience a rewarding one.

Consistently, our former students tell us that they value being exposed to a variety of work that many of their peers do not experience, and that they are given greater responsibility than they expected.

We have two annual outings with all the lawyers and staff allowing you to get to know everyone better in an informal setting.

In the fall, each lawyer puts on a lunchtime seminar for students covering some aspect of their specialty, providing an opportunity for you to become more knowledgeable on a variety of topics early in your articling year and to meet with the lawyers on an individual basis
   
• WHAT SUPPORT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?

The firm is fully automated and its technology is as up-to-date as any major law firm.

You will have your own computer linked to the firm network for e-mail, internet access and precedents. You have access to on-line research tools such as Carswell's Law Pro and Family Pro. The firm has an extensive, current library.

We have a loyal and long-serving staff providing lawyers and students a high degree of practical skills and knowledge that are invaluable to the students.

• WHAT TYPE OF CLIENT DO YOU HAVE?

Our clients cover the range from individuals and families to small business owners and entrepreneurs, to small public companies and subsidiaries of US corporations – many of which are long-standing clients of the firm. There are some families for whom we have acted for several generations. Our clients come from all walks of life and economic circumstances.

   

"Having been with a large national firm beforehand, I first came to Ricketts, Harris LLP as a summer associate anxious to explore the other side of the coin; specifically, what it was like to practice law at a boutique law firm.  From my very first day, I knew that summering at Ricketts, Harris LLP was going to be an experience like none other.  Not only did I know everyone’s name, but by the end of the day, I already had a myriad of cases that I was assigned to.

Over the course of two summers, I had the chance to work one-on-one with virtually every lawyer at Ricketts, Harris LLP and in practice areas that included civil litigation, commercial law, insurance defence, family law, real estate law, wills and estates, and even condominium law.  Together, this highly varied workload allowed me to get the kind of “hands on experience” that every law student craves, and provided me significant client contact with both domestic and international clients. 

Overall, the summer program at Ricketts, Harris LLP offered me an informal and collegial atmosphere, a well-balanced work schedule, and opportunities that helped me carve out the direction in which I want to take my practice into the future." 

Josephine L. Comegna
Summer Associate, 2009 and 2010