My Experience as an Articling Student at Merovitz Potechin

By Merovitz Potechin on Friday May 17, 2024.

By: Juliette-Maria Simard-Emond, LL.L., J.D.
Articling student at Merovitz Potechin LLP

After being buried in books for four years in law school, I was finally a fresh graduate eager to dive into the world of legal practice. Choosing the right firm, facing interviews, and proving myself among countless other candidates seemed overwhelming, but my journey took a positive turn when I came across Merovitz Potechin

I saw that they had an articling position available. Shortly after, I had a call with Natalie, the HR manager, to discuss the terms of the internship. When I got off of the phone, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I knew this was the firm for me. In this blog post I would like to share my experience. Let’s dive into the work life of an articling student.

My first day in corporate rotation was highly memorable. Several partners enthusiastically offered to guide and mentor me right from the start. In the following weeks, I experienced significant growth in my knowledge and skills. Each day was a dynamic blend of working on cases from the corporate and litigation areas of practice, and I embraced each challenge with a sense of enthusiasm and purpose.

In the initial months of my articling, my primary responsibilities revolved around conducting research. During this period, I would review emails, prioritize tasks, and complete research assignments. As I progressed through my ten-months internship, my focus shifted towards drafting various legal documents. Once my litigation placement began, my tasks altered to drafting documents like notices of motions, affidavits, orders, and motion records. Meanwhile, simultaneously my responsibilities in the corporate practice expanded to include the drafting of blind trusts, resolutions, bylaws, and the maintenance of shareholders, directors, and officers’ registers.

Throughout my Articles, I had the pleasure of participating in several team building events, which helped boost my confidence as a newer member to the team, I greatly appreciated these opportunities. They made it easier for me to meet and connect with everyone at the firm in a more casual setting.

During my time at Merovitz Potechin, I was genuinely impressed by how the firm embodied its core values. Integrity, caring, respect, teamwork, and professionalism weren’t just buzzwords; they were ingrained in every aspect of our work. The collaborative spirit among colleagues was evident, making every day both productive and enjoyable. What truly set my experience apart was the supportive environment that encouraged curiosity and learning. I never hesitated to ask questions or seek guidance, knowing that my colleagues were always ready to help. This atmosphere of openness and encouragement made tackling cases and assignments not just manageable but also rewarding.

Throughout my 10 months at the firm I have had the opportunity to work mainly in litigation and corporate law. I believe I gained valuable experience, as I worked on a multitude of cases, assuming diverse roles. This resulted in me learning how to manage a wide range of responsibilities, including conducting in-depth research, crafting diverse legal documents, supporting lawyers in client meetings, and even accompanying them to court proceedings

I can say without a doubt that this articling experience gave me more than just legal work experience; it gave me networking, marketing, planning, and communication skills that will last me a lifetime. I could not be more thankful to every individual at the firm for making my experience stimulating, enriching, and memorable.

I especially want to express my gratitude to Brent Timmons for believing in me and trusting me, even though I was inexperienced in the world of corporate law. His willingness to teach and guide me has been highly valuable. Also, I can’t thank Charlene Kavanagh enough for personally involving me in interesting cases and making work a fun and enjoyable place to be, filled with laughter and camaraderie.