Harper Grey LLP Program Structure
Articling Year
What drives the articling program structure at Harper Grey LLP?
Articled students play a central role in our firm. We're committed to helping you to reach your full potential as a lawyer.
To begin, our Director of Training & Development, Lori Williams, arranges a week of training and introduction to the firm. You'll also be paired with a senior lawyer - your principal - to guide you and provide feedback throughout your articling year. You'll have a private office, a computer, and a supportive administrative assistant to assist you.
Traits of our program
Our program has an open structure, allowing you to set your own goals. It stresses hands-on, real world experience, supported by guidance from the firm's lawyers. True to our culture, self-starters thrive here. You will be encouraged to explore and expand in directions that interest you.
Roselle Wu, associate with Harper Grey, describes her articling year: "I had a lot of direct contact with many lawyers at the firm, and they were always very supportive with feedback and answering questions. The size of the firm is good too - lots of different lawyers, but still very personable."
Each side of the business
Our program provides hands-on experience in both litigation and solicitor's rotations. We regard training in the varied and difficult facets of litigation as a necessary part of becoming a widely respected litigator. At the same time, we also provide students with a nine-week rotation in solicitor's practice.
If you already know which area of law you'd like to specialize in you will be encouraged to explore that area in more depth.
Targeted training
During your articling year, you'll take a library and research seminar. You will be invited to in-house and external professional development seminars for our lawyers as well.
Compensation for articling
We pay our students at a rate similar to other mid-sized law firms in Vancouver. Articling students receive a gross annual salary of $45,000. We also pay CBA membership fees, as well as CLE fees, PLTC, and call fees whether you join us as an associate or not.
We're also flexible with respect to start dates and scheduling of the Professional Legal Training Course.
Additional benefits include:
- BC Medical
- life insurance
- short and long-term disability
- accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- extended health insurance and dental benefits
- fitness subsidy
- volunteer recognition in the form of donations or sponsorships of organizations you commit time to
Summer Program
Summer students typically join us from May through to August. As the time with us is shorter than articling, the summer program emphasizes depth of each project rather than breadth of practice areas.
Compensation for summer students
Our summer students receive a gross monthly salary of $3,750, pro-rated for the time actually spent in the office with the firm. We also pay Law Society fees during summer articles. A portion of the student’s third year law school tuition, up to a maximum of $5,000, and a $500 book allowance for the third year of law school is also provided.
If you'd like to apply for an interview, we look forward to explaining our approach in more detail.
