From law class to world class

Transcription

1 Financial institutions Energy Infrastructure, mining and commodities Transport Technology and innovation Life sciences and healthcare From law class to world class Calgary student recruitment

2 Calgary student recruitment If you are looking for a student experience in a legal practice that has a unique and supportive culture - you ve come to the right place! As the first Canadian law firm to be part of a truly international legal practice, we are proud to offer students an extraordinary experience working in the Calgary office of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP. We will help you develop the skills that will make you successful. You will benefit from hands-on experience, real participation, exposure to various areas of legal practice, and the opportunity to learn from some of the best in their fields. thenortonrosefulbrightdifference.com Canada Calgary Montréal Ottawa Québec Toronto Europe Amsterdam Athens Brussels Frankfurt Hamburg London Milan Moscow Munich Paris Piraeus Warsaw USA Austin Dallas Denver Houston Los Angeles Minneapolis New York Pittsburgh- Southpointe San Antonio St Louis Washington DC Latin America Bogotá Caracas Rio de Janeiro Africa Bujumbura** Cape Town Casablanca Dar es Salaam Durban Harare** Johannesburg Kampala** Kazakhstan Almaty Middle East Abu Dhabi Bahrain Dubai Riyadh* Asia Bangkok Beijing Hong Kong Jakarta* Shanghai Singapore Tokyo Australia Brisbane Melbourne Perth Sydney *associate office **alliance 02 Norton Rose Fulbright

3 thenortonrosefulbrightdifference.com About us Client care is at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to exemplary service and reputation for clear, honest judgement helps our clients achieve results. It has also earned us their confidence and trust. Norton Rose Fulbright Norton Rose Fulbright is a global legal practice. We provide the world s pre-eminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. We have more than 3800 lawyers and other legal staff working across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. Recognized for our industry focus, we are strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions; energy; infrastructure, mining and commodities; transport; technology and innovation; and life sciences and healthcare. Norton Rose Fulbright in Canada Norton Rose Fulbright is the third largest legal practice in Canada, with more than 600 lawyers, patent and trade-mark agents in Calgary, Montréal, Ottawa, Québec and Toronto. We have served the business needs of clients Canadian and international, established and emerging for more than 130 years. We have one of the world s leading energy and mining practices, and were recently cited as the highest rated legal practice in multi-jurisdictional work, overall top of mind awareness and most used for high value work according to Acritas Canadian Law Firm Brand Index Calgary office Our Calgary office has been an integral part of the Canadian business community for more than 100 years. Business law and commercial litigation are the cornerstones of our practice, with an emphasis on energy/oil and gas, corporate finance activities, mergers and acquisitions, international trade, employment and labour, taxation, intellectual property and environmental law. Our client list includes national and international corporations, public and private businesses, governments and individuals. We advise on a wide range of domestic, cross-border and international issues and have a reputation for pioneering major transactions in Canada and around the world. Norton Rose Fulbright 03

4 Calgary student recruitment Our unique culture Walk through the doors of our Calgary office and you will experience a place that is welcoming, where you can fit in comfortably and where opportunity abounds. Our demographics are young and hire-back ratios are high. You ll find an innovative legal practice staffed with quality legal professionals. Our work setting is open and our people are committed to encouraging and facilitating personal growth and professional development. In order to maintain the collegial atmosphere that we value so highly, the social aspect of the firm continues to be integral to our culture. We host a number of diverse social events over the course of each year for all members of the office. Our students are an important part of the success and enjoyment of those events and are encouraged to attend and enjoy. Our three business principles of Quality, Unity and Integrity also support our culture of delivering the highest standard of crossfunctional, customer-driven legal services. Quality clients come first consistently high quality legal services industry experts commercial and pragmatic approach innovative solutions best people Unity one team united, international perspective value our culture Integrity value our people highest professional, ethical and business standards trustworthy, open and fair Diversity and inclusion We are a people business. We will only be able to maximise our people s contribution if we create and nurture an environment and culture which supports, respects and values all our differences, whether in gender, race, nationality, religion, belief, age, ability or disability, or sexual orientation. The provision of an inclusive and collegial working environment where every employee is valued for his or her contribution is fundamental to our vision and values and is a key ingredient in our business success. A strong and healthy focus on diversity is not an option, it s a necessity. We are striving to put in place best practice, policies, and programmes around diversity and inclusion so that our clients, and our employees, truly believe we are committed to being outstanding in this area. 04 Norton Rose Fulbright

5 thenortonrosefulbrightdifference.com Our student programs Summer student program Norton Rose Fulbright is committed to developing engaged and highly skilled legal professionals. In our Calgary office, that commitment begins with our summer student program. The first and second year students we hire arrive in early May and spend their summer working with great people, who also happen to be talented lawyers doing incredibly interesting work. The work is challenging and rewarding and the setting is one of structured informality. As a summer student, all the tools for embarking on your legal career will be at your disposal. Every student is assigned mentors from different practice areas who provide guidance and facilitate a comprehensive experience with our team. That experience includes substantive legal research and document drafting; exposure to court appearances, transaction closings and client meetings; professional development sessions; and invitations to a collection of social events that take place throughout the summer. Our aim is to facilitate your exposure to a variety of work and a variety of people, giving you the opportunity to determine which areas of law you might like to pursue in practice. Along the way, you will have the benefit of great mentorship, practical training and development, and meaningful feedback provided through formal performance reviews to help develop your skills. Norton Rose Fulbright 05

6 Calgary student recruitment Articling sudent program The same principles that underscore Norton Rose Fulbright as a legal practice also inform our articling student program. We are committed to ensuring that your student experience is a success in every way. In addition to the support and mentoring you receive from your principal, all of our lawyers are entrusted with the responsibility to facilitate your growth and development as a young lawyer. It is a responsibility we take very seriously, as the success of our organization depends on it. With an emphasis on lawyer training and continuing professional development, we offer an in-depth orientation to our office and its operations, as well as weekly Insider Training seminars for ongoing substantive training. The seminars run throughout the year and range from sessions conducted by our lawyers or speakers, to informal discussions amongst students, to half or full-day workshops. As an articling student, you also have the opportunity to attend external seminars sponsored by the Legal Education Society of Alberta, the Canadian Bar Association, and other professional organizations. In our Calgary office, articling students are encouraged to focus on a specific practice area. Not only does this provide the opportunity to become a well-integrated member of the team and develop greater expertise in a specific field, it allows students exposure to more substantive work and to see files through to completion. Each year we have between 10 and 14 students in Calgary, most of whom have come through our summer student program. When we hire students outside of that program, we do so in accordance with the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta. Articling students are interviewed at the conclusion of their second year of law school during a pre-determined two-week period in June. Once hired, articling students typically begin their articles during the summer following graduation from law school, or after completion of their court clerkship. The articling program in Alberta consists of twelve months of articles, which includes participation in the CPLED program ( students/cpled.aspx). As part of the CPLED bar admission course, we have introduced an at-home weekly study day to enable our students to balance their study requirements and work assignments. Within your assigned practice area, you will perform a variety of tasks, assisting lawyers with due diligence on transactions, reviewing and drafting agreements, and researching and writing memos on various areas of law. We believe in giving you practical responsibilities to enhance your professional expertise through hands-on experience. We are also dedicated to providing ongoing meaningful feedback, both formally through regularlyscheduled performance evaluations, and informally through real-time feedback on your assignments. Our aim is to provide you with all the tools necessary for becoming engaged in, and masterful at, the work you do. 06 Norton Rose Fulbright

7 thenortonrosefulbrightdifference.com The application and interview process If we sound like a good fit for you, and you are interested in being part of an organization that is among the world s leading providers of legal services, we invite you to apply. Summer students Application deadlines and procedures vary from school to school. Please check with the Career Development Office at your school for details on the application process before forwarding your application. Every application should include a cover letter, résumé, and copies of all transcripts. Articling students Our recruitment process for articling is in accordance with the Law Society of Alberta guidelines. Please check the Law Society s website for information: ab.ca/membership/students/articling.aspx When you apply, please include a cover letter, current résumé, and official copies of all available transcripts. Interviews On-campus interviews (OCIs) take place in the Fall for second year positions the following summer. A number of law schools participate in the OCI process for second year summer positions. We participate in OCIs at the following schools: University of Victoria University of British Columbia University of Calgary University of Alberta University of Saskatchewan University of Manitoba Dalhousie University Ontario Law Schools & McGill University (see below) The OCI process for Ontario Law Schools and McGill University is held in Toronto and hosted by one of the participating law schools. For University of Calgary students, we hold interviews at our Calgary office. The OCI interview, though professional, is an informal meeting intended to allow us to learn more about you and vice versa. We are interested in who you are and where your passions lie. Your academic background, work experience, and extracurricular activities and interests will all inform this, so the information you provide on paper will set the stage for a great conversation. The interview is also an opportunity for you to learn more about who we are and what we do, so we invite you to ask any questions you have. During the second year recruitment process that takes place in the Fall, students who continue in the process following OCIs will have additional opportunities to meet with our recruitment team. In both the first year and articling student recruitment processes, governed by the Law Society of Alberta Rules, formal interviews take place in our office. Norton Rose Fulbright 07

8 Calgary student recruitment Application guide In addition to seeking students with strong academics, we look for well-rounded individuals as we believe this serves the best interests of our clients and our legal practice. Hallmarks of a successful candidate Active Intelligence: You should have curiosity, insight and the ability to be analytical. Engagement: Demonstrate enthusiasm, drive, and perseverance. People Skills: The traits of integrity, respect and teamwork are especially helpful for our lawyers. You ll find it beneficial if you can demonstrate some of these traits in your résumé, cover letter and throughout the interview process. Cover letter Before you sit down to draft your cover letter, do some research on the firm. Recruiters can detect your level of interest based on the tone and language used in your letter, so it is to your advantage to visit our site, read promotional material, and best of all, speak with current students. This will give you a good feel for who we are and whether we are the right fit for you. Your cover letter demonstrates your ability to think and write clearly. It should be short, concise, fit on one page, and ideally, be similar in appearance to your résumé in terms of font style and size, margins, etc. Please tailor the letter to the Norton Rose Fulbright. If you have a particular interest in us or a specific reason for approaching us, say so. If you know someone who works with us or is an alumnus, and who you are certain will speak well of you, feel free to include that. If there is a particular area of law practiced at the firm that interests you, let us know. Think about why you are interested in the position and how your background and experience make you a suitable candidate. They say you only have one chance to make a first impression, so take time to pay attention to the details: When including the addressee, spell both his/her name and the firm name correctly. Triple check your cover letter for typographical and grammatical errors do not rely on spell-check. Have someone proofread all of your application material. Résumé A professional legal résumé includes your name, where and how you can be contacted, education, awards, employment experience, and extra-curricular activities generally in that order. Your name, along with where and how you can be contacted, should be on the header of the first page of your résumé. Please include area codes with your phone numbers, and use a professional address instead of one that includes a nickname or might be construed as less professional. Your educational background is best presented in reverse chronological order beginning with post-secondary degrees and institutions. You should also include academic prizes, scholarships, papers or special research projects that set you apart. 08 Norton Rose Fulbright

9 thenortonrosefulbrightdifference.com The employment experience portion of your résumé is an opportunity to let your personality come through. It is important to include not only job titles, but also a brief description of your responsibilities, using active verbs. You can elaborate on those experiences in your cover letter. When describing extracurricular activities, you might want to highlight your interests such as volunteering, learning languages, involvement in arts, sports, or travel. Again, you have an opportunity to expand on how these activities have impacted you in your cover letter. Don t forget about the details: Keep your résumé to two pages in length. Use headings, a simple font style and white space to help your résumé look clean and organized. Refrain from gimmicks and including personal information such as height/ weight, marital status, dependants, photos or health. Triple-check your résumé for facts, dates, typographical and grammatical errors. Have someone proofread everything! Interviews If you find yourself in Calgary for any of the recruitment processes, these tips might help you get the most out of your interview experience: If you are visiting a number of places, scope out the locations ahead of time and plan your route knowing exactly where you re going and how to get there will minimize your stress. Make sure your shoes are business-like and comfortable. Dress in appropriate business attire and glance in a mirror before each interview to make sure everything is in place. Ensure cell phones/blackberries are turned off during all interviews and/or dinners or lunches with firms. Arrive 5-10 minutes early so you have time to compose yourself before the interview. Take notes after each interview so that later you can distinguish one firm from another. Offers Articling student offers are made on a predetermined date and time in June that is set by the Law Society of Alberta. Second year summer student offers are made at the beginning of November in late October in accordance with an agreement between a number of Calgary law firms. First year summer student offers are made in February. The offer date is set by the Law Society of Alberta. Please consult your law school s Career Development office. Considerations: If you receive an offer from your first-choice firm, accept it. If you ve decided that your first-choice firm really is the place for you, don t worry about being overeager by accepting on the spot. If you need time to consider an offer, take the time, but let the firm know your decision as soon as possible. If you receive an offer from a firm that is not of interest to you, turn it down quickly, but graciously. This will save time for you and the firm, and possibly create an opening for one of your colleagues. On a final note, the best advice we can offer is to prepare ahead of time and then relax and be yourself. Enjoy this process. We do, and we look forward to meeting you! Norton Rose Fulbright 09

10 thenortonrosefulbrightdifference.com Apply now Applications should be submitted through the videsktop law portal at: They should include a copy of your law school, graduate (if applicable) and undergraduate transcripts, a cover letter and résumé addressed to: Amy Binder Director, Student & Associate Initiatives Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP 3700, 400-3rd Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2P 4H2 Questions? Please us at: NRCal.Students@nortonrosefulbright.com Norton Rose Fulbright Norton Rose Fulbright is a global legal practice. We provide the world s pre-eminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. We have more than 3800 lawyers and other legal staff based in more than 50 cities across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. Recognized for our industry focus, we are strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions; energy; infrastructure, mining and commodities; transport; technology and innovation; and life sciences and healthcare. Wherever we are, we operate in accordance with our global business principles of quality, unity and integrity. We aim to provide the highest possible standard of legal service in each of our offices and to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact. Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright Australia, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP and Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc are separate legal entities and all of them are members of Norton Rose Fulbright Verein, a Swiss verein. Norton Rose Fulbright Verein helps coordinate the activities of the members but does not itself provide legal services to clients. References to Norton Rose Fulbright, the law firm, and legal practice are to one or more of the Norton Rose Fulbright members or to one of their respective affiliates (together Norton Rose Fulbright entity/entities ). No individual who is a member, partner, shareholder, director, employee or consultant of, in or to any Norton Rose Fulbright entity (whether or not such individual is described as a partner ) accepts or assumes responsibility, or has any liability, to any person in respect of this communication. Any reference to a partner or director is to a member, employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications of the relevant Norton Rose Fulbright entity. The purpose of this communication is to provide information as to developments in the law. It does not contain a full analysis of the law nor does it constitute an opinion of any Norton Rose Fulbright entity on the points of law discussed. You must take specific legal advice on any particular matter which concerns you. If you require any advice or further information, please speak to your usual contact at Norton Rose Fulbright. Norton Rose Fulbright NR_ /15 (CAN) Extracts may be copied provided their source is acknowledged.