The Ottawa office of Heenan Blaikie was launched in 1999 and has been growing ever since. Medium-sized for Ottawa, our office is characterized by its energetic team and the breadth and variety of our practice – which includes litigation, labour and employment law, business law, public law, government relations and international business. We serve corporate and individual clients in every industry sector in the Ottawa-Gatineau area, throughout the province and across the country.
We also have a unique and dynamic practice group led by former Supreme Court of Canada judge Michel Bastarache, whose focus is constitutional and public law, as well as a wide range of appellate and Supreme Court matters.
By fostering a stimulating environment in which new ideas and perspectives are encouraged, Heenan Blaikie’s Ottawa office provides law students with an enriching and formative learning experience from which to pursue their careers.
Summer and Articling Student Programs
We value colleagues who bring creativity, initiative and a collaborative approach to the resolution of legal issues. Bilingualism is an asset in our Ottawa office, where clients of the firm are represented in both official languages. We also welcome individuals with training in both common law and civil law, although the majority of our work is in common law.
We have, practically speaking, two student terms: the summer term (from May to August) and the articling program (from August to May). For each of these terms, we hire up to five students. When we hire our summer students, our hope is that they will remain with the firm for the articling program the following year. Our summer students are usually in their second year of law school.
Our students are paired with a mentor (an articling principal during the articling program) to facilitate their integration and growth within our firm. Heenan Blaikie values collegiality and our professionals strive to support each other and our students in their endeavours. We value our open door policy. Students are encouraged to seek guidance from any of our professionals and from the Student Committee to ensure they get the most hands-on, well-rounded and comprehensive work experience, with exposure to all of our fields of practice. Our students can be expected to meet with clients, attend mediation, arbitration and hearings and draft pleadings. Not to worry: they also get to do some legal research…
As students of a national firm, our students can benefit from the resources, training and support of other Heenan Blaikie offices across the country. Our students are actively encouraged to participate in education and training seminars, whether they are offered in-house or by outside resources.
How to Apply
For the summer term: Law students are encouraged to submit an electronic version of their application (including a cover letter, a resume and school transcripts) in one PDF document. The application deadline is usually before the end of January preceding the summer. Interviews are usually held in mid-February.
For the articling program: The application process is the same with the deadline usually before the end of May, a year prior to the start of the articling program. Interviews are usually held in mid-June.
The precise deadlines are set by a Round table of Ottawa recruiters and are approved on a yearly basis by the Law Society of Upper Canada. Students should confirm these dates with the Law Society of Upper Canada or with their University.
Each application is reviewed by the Student Committee, which then decides, based on all the information submitted, who to invite for an interview. We usually contact only the individuals selected for an interview.
During the first interview, candidates can expect to meet two lawyers. There is often a second round of interviews to allow applicants to meet lawyers from each of the office’s main practice groups. Final selection of candidates is made following the second interview.
For more information or to submit your application, please contact:
ottawastudents@heenan.ca
Feel free to contact any of our students or professionals to inquire about this process and about the student experience at Heenan Blaikie Ottawa.