Questions & Answers

1. What types of training and professional development opportunities does the firm offer?

As well as the Articling Program, the firm offers seminars designed for articling students on a range of topics. A few of these include Library and Research, Direct and Cross Examinations, Preparing for Trial, Mediation, Chambers, Due Diligence Searches, Real Estate, and Marketing for Lawyers. We also pay tuition for the Professional Legal Training Course and cover CLE fees.

2. What practical experience will I gain during my articling year?

You will be exposed to a wide range of experiences - with the goal of building a comprehensive skill set in the real world of law. This can include:

• Developing the foundation for legal arguments to be used in all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
• Assisting in interviewing and preparing clients for various stages of litigation.
• Assisting with drafting Pleadings documents and Affidavits.
• Attending discoveries and inquests.
• Having responsibility for your own Small Claims files.

3. What important cases has your firm appeared in?

Harper Grey lawyers frequently handle cases at both the Supreme Court and the BC Court of Appeal. With some of Canada's leading litigation lawyers, we are frequently involved in high-profile cases. Recent cases you may have read in the news include:

• Acting on behalf of autistic children and their families in a claim against the Provincial Government in order to obtain funding for the medical treatment for their children in Auton (Guardian ad Litem) v. British Columbia (Attorney General of). The Supreme Court of Canada overturned the relief provided to the children and their families by the BC Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in this important decision with respect to Section 15 of the Charter.
• Successfully represented Canadian Forest Products Ltd. before the Supreme Court of Canada in a matter regarding alleged losses resulting from a large forest fire. The decision of the trial judge is restored. British Columbia v. Canadian Forest Products Ltd., 1999; British Columbia Court of Appeal, 2002; Supreme Court of Canada, 2004.
• Representing the United Church in proceedings collectively cited as Blackwater v. Plint et al which were concerned with determining the liability of the Government of Canada and the Church for sexual assaults committed at Indian Residential Schools. The case was decided by the Supreme Court of Canada in October 2005 (2005 SCC 58) and will serve as a leading judgment on issues of institutional vicarious liability and assessment of damages.
• Representing the liquidator of the Christian Brothers of Ireland in Canada in ground breaking litigation to sell trust properties, including private schools to satisfy outstanding claims for sexual abuse perpetrated by individual Christian Brothers at the Mount Cashel orphanage in Newfoundland. The liquidator ultimately made a recovery of $19 million by way of settlement.

4. Will I receive a mentor?

Each articling student has a principal - a lawyer from whom you can seek guidance and ask questions. This lawyer plays an informal mentoring role, but you are welcome to form mentoring bonds with other lawyers, as mentoring is frequently developed through connections over time. In the Associate Program, all associates also have a mentor, or principal, to turn to.

5. How many students does Harper Grey hire each year?

Traditionally, we hire five students for full articles, as well as two summer students. This allows each student to have the right workload for their position, and for us to provide them with a high quality experience.

6. What have been the hire back rates in recent few years?

For the past few years, we've hired back approximately half of our articling students and one hundred percent of our summer students have been offered full articles. However, this rate can change, depending upon our needs, and the long-term fit between you and us. We like to ensure good matches on both sides, for the benefit of your career and our firm. This may mean we sometimes don't hire back all of our students, but when we do, we're extremely committed to their career.

7. How many students from the summer program will receive offers to article?

In the past few years, every summer student has received an offer to article. Some clerk first and others join the firm immediately upon graduation from law school.

8. Do you have an "alternative work" or part-time policy?

Our lawyers value the flexibility at our firm - being open to alternative working arrangements provides considerable appeal for many people. These arrangements tend to be something that senior lawyers grow into, earned through their commitment to the firm.

9. What is the firm's pro-bono policy?

We're proud of our role in contributing back to the community through pro-bono work for deserving individuals and groups. True to the independent nature of our firm, individual lawyers choose which cases they would like to be involved in, with the consent of the firm's Managing Partner.

10. What are some of the social activities organized?

The firm has an informal hockey and baseball team and also participates in the annual B.C. Law Firm Ski Championships and in The Sun Run. Our social activities range from Christmas parties to summer barbecues.

11. How is the firm involved in the legal community, and the community at large?

Harper Grey is extensively involved in the community and charitable organizations, both at a corporate level and through the individual activities of members of our firm.

A few of the many organisations we support include: B.C. Children's Hospital, B.C. and Yukon Heart and Stroke Foundation, Law Students Association of B.C., Scouts Canada, and the Rotary Club of Vancouver Sunrise.

We also contribute to the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria, through funding awards, scholarships, and other programs. We have a partner appointed to UBC as an adjunct professor teaching Civil Litigation Trial Advocacy. Many of our lawyers also donate teaching time at these and other institutions, and regularly assist as supervisors to the Law Students Legal Advice Program. In addition, we contribute volunteers and lecturers to the Professional Legal Training Course and Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C.