Mentor Program

Student Lectures

Facilities and Support

Student Responsibilities

Your Future

Applications

Articling students are an integral part of the process of growth at Cohen Highley LLP. Our evolution as a firm depends upon a solid group of students. The firm has developed an articling program that will benefit the student, while providing for our firm's future. What follows is an outline of the program.

Our Articling Program

Cohen Highley LLP offers articling students a formal rotation system which gives them exposure to a wide variety of areas of law including:

Mentor Program

Each articling student is assigned to one of our associate lawyers for the articling year. The program creates the opportunity for the student and mentor to meet regularly to discuss progress to date, student's expectations, the articling experience, as well as any questions or problems which may arise.

Student Lecture Program

Cohen Highley LLP conducts student lectures on a variety of subjects during the articling year. The program, which begins in October, is designed to give the articling student insight into different areas of practice, as well as an overview of proceedings in these areas. The lecture topics range from  file organization, legal research and writing to tactics on examinations.

Facilities and Support

Cohen Highley LLP currently employs eight law clerks and a rent review consultant. In addition, the articling students have access to experienced legal assistants. There is an excellent library in the office and, when necessary, the University of Western Ontario Law Library and Middlesex Law Association Library are available. Cohen Highley LLP is equipped with the latest computer technologies with access to local online resources as well as to QuickLaw and the Canadian Encyclopedic Digests.

Our office is located on the 11th floor of One London Place, and all members of the firm have access to the London Life cafeteria and lounge situated across the street.

Student Responsibilities

Cohen Highley LLP recognizes that "hands-on" experience is an important part of the learning process. Students are given the following responsibilities during their articling year at the firm:

complete carriage of Small Claims Court files

attendance before administrative tribunals

Assisting and working with lawyers on files, including:

investigation, interviewing and legal research

drafting pleadings, motion records and other proceedings

attending on motions

conducting examinations and cross examinations

incorporation of companies

drafting wills and assisting in estate administration.

Students also attend with lawyers on trials, appeals, examinations, motions, pre-trial conferences, preliminary hearings and other matters.

Every effort is made to accommodate a student's special interests in particular areas of practice, and to allow students to follow the progress of files they have worked on.

REMUNERATION

At Cohen Highley LLP you will find our compensation and benefits package among the best in Southwestern Ontario.

Our salary for 2008/2009 is $45,000 per annum, or approximately $865 per week.  Cohen Highley LLP pays full salary during both phases of the bar admission course, regardless of hire back, in addition to the ten months of articles.  Students are not required to work during the bar admission course but are encouraged to integrate themselves by working on a part time basis in July and August so long as it does not interfere with their study commitments.

Articling students at Cohen Highley LLP are entitled to two weeks paid vacation during articles and the firm pays the full tuition fees for the bar admission course regardless of hire back.  Cohen Highley LLP also provides a comprehensive benefits package.

YOUR FUTURE

Cohen Highley LLP has grown substantially since 1974, and it is our intention to continue that quality growth in the future.

Articling students play a substantial role in our plans for the future. It is our preference and practice to invite suitable students to join the firm as associate lawyers. Our hiring history proves it, and our future depends on it.

Cohen Highley LLP is committed to providing an excellent articling experience to students - we take our teaching role very seriously. We endeavour to provide a well-rounded and extensive program to students, which will stand them in good stead upon their return to the firm as associate lawyers, or in the pursuit of their careers elsewhere.

APPLICATIONS

We have accepted our students for the 2009 and 2010 term.  We thank all applicants for their interest in our firm.

If you are submitting an application for the 2010 and 2011 term, please be advised that applicants should include: a covering letter, a resume, transcripts of law school and undergraduate grades, and a brief sample or excerpt (not exceeding 5 pages) of legal writing.  All interviews will be conducted during the period specified by the rules of the Middlesex Law Association and The Law Society of Upper Canada (usually the last week of May following second year law school).  Applications can be directed to the attention of: 

Russell M. Raikes/ Hiring Committee

One London Place

255 Queens Avenue, 11th Floor

London, Ontario  N6A 5R8

email: rraikes@cohenhighley.com

ARTICLING STUDENTS

2008/2009 Students:

2009/2010 Students:

Andrea D'Silva  (University of Windsor)

Laura Glithero  (Queen's University)

Alexandra Kington  (Queen's University)

WHAT STUDENTS SAY ABOUT OUR ARTICLING PROGRAM