The Canadian Section is for NALP members with a particular interest in Canadian legal education, Canadian law school career services, and issues surrounding legal employment and admission to the bar in Canada.

Join Section Group on NALPconnect

2021-22 Section Co-Chairs: Katrina Henn, Weirfoulds LLP and Sophie Roy-Lafleur, McGill University Faculty of Law

July 2021 Board Report (PDF)

Work Groups:

Annual Education Conference / Bulletin+ Article and Webinar Planning
Brainstorm with section members to develop ideas and identify speakers for the 2022 Annual Education Conference and topics for Bulletin+ articles. Assist members through the completion of the RFP processes for both. Consider creating educational webinars throughout the year.

Canadian Directory of Legal Employers (CDLE)
Continue to monitor and track membership and usage of the CDLE. Continue to market CDLE to employers who have yet to sign up, particularly employers in rural, western Canadian regions and among small and mid-sized firms. Build on the enhancements recently added to the CDLE. Review viLawPortal for how information is tracked. Consider creating a best practices guide for the data collection process. Collaborate with the Diversity Working Group with an eye on equity, diversity, and inclusion in the collection of employer demographics and to assist with identifying challenges that may prevent employers from submitting their information.

Diversity Working Group
Continue to generate ideas and plan the December 2021 Diversity Summit. Further explore the initial concepts of data collection challenges, best practices in diversifying the talent pipeline and programs and initiatives aimed at attracting, advancing, developing and retaining diverse talent. Determine if the NALP Foundation can contribute helpful data. Collaborate with the CDLE Working Group with an eye on equity, diversity, and inclusion in the collection of employer demographics and assist with identifying challenges that may prevent employers from submitting their information.

Winter Meeting
Develop content, arrange speakers, and coordinate logistics with NALP staff for the Canadian Section Winter Meeting. Identify key topics that should be presented and explore new or recurring matters related to student recruitment and associated issues in Canada.

National Recruitment Survey
Determine next steps after the implementation of changes including the development of an outreach plan. Continue to collaborate with the Diversity Working Group with an eye on equity, diversity, and inclusion relating to the survey. Explore how the central recruiting software (viLawPortal) might collect background/demographic information on students applying to recruiting programs in collaboration with NALP. Collaborate with the Canadian Student Recruitment Working Group, the Diversity Working Group, and the Summer & Articling Working Group to identify best practices in the design and implementation of future surveys.

On-Campus Interview Advisory Group
Coordinate national OCI schedule on an ongoing basis, including any impacts on the schedule due to COVID-19, with input from both law schools and employers and representation across regions.

Industry Data Collection
Continue to identify and assess where the working group may partner with the NALP Foundation to secure Canadian data. Continue to profile and encourage participation where NALP has an existing survey. Focus on School Salary Survey and outcomes for the 2020 class.

Summer & Articling Recruitment
Continue to revise, as needed, the “Best Practices for Toronto Summer and Articling Recruitment Activities” guide for regions throughout Canada and the “NALP Summary of Best Practices.” Continue to collaborate with the OCI Advisory Group and the Canadian Legal Career Development Network and provide feedback to the Law Society of Ontario on recruitment procedures and suggest improvements where warranted in light of the COVID-19 crisis. Set viLawPortal electronic application service dates for students and employers in markets across Canada and report dates to section. Collaborate with the Canadian Student Recruitment Working Group and the National Survey Working Group to evaluate new approaches.

Vancouver Summer & Articling Recruitment
Provide employers and law students with guidance regarding the Vancouver Bar Association’s guidelines for regular and summer articles interviews. Revise, as needed, the best practices guide for remote interviews and the “Recruitment Guidelines” resource. Set viLawPortal electronic application service dates for students and employers in local markets and report dates to section.

Member Relations
In conjunction with the Regional Representative, conduct member outreach and request feedback as to the value members would like to see from NALP. Consider reaching out to additional members encouraging them to join the section.

Knowledge Management and Resource Implementation
Identify top resources relevant to the section and collaborate with the KM/RI Advisory Group to explore location options for the compilation to provide easy access. Ensure NALPconnect is used for section communications.

2020-21 Section Chair: Myriah Graves, Fogler Rubinoff LLP

April 2021 Board Report (PDF)
February 2021 Board Report (PDF)
November 2020 Board Report (PDF)
July 2020 Board Report (PDF)

Work Groups:

Canadian Directory of Legal Employers (CDLE)
Continue to market CDLE to employers who have yet to sign up, particularly employers in rural, western Canadian regions and among small and mid-sized firms. Continue to monitor and track membership and usage of the CDLE. Finalize any amendments to the form to ensure inclusive language is used consistent with the NDLE/NDLS.

Diversity Working Group
Plan one of the sessions at the proposed Recruitment Summit in late 2020. Consider and recommend what additional roles this Work-Group might play in addition to planning the next Canadian Diversity Summit in late 2021. Collaborate with the National Recruitment Survey WG with an eye on diversity, equity, and inclusion when defining the purpose of the survey. Explore how the central recruiting software (viLawPortal) might collect background/demographic information on students applying to recruiting programs.

Mid-Winter Meeting
Develop content, arrange speakers, and coordinate logistics with NALP staff for the End of Year Canadian Section Meeting. Explore dedicating a half-day session to discussing and resolving some of the recurring issues related to student recruitment in Canada, including how to accommodate innovation, best practices in recruitment into the processes.

National Recruitment Survey
Evaluate and define the purpose of the National Recruitment Survey and its collection on structured summer and articling law student recruitment processes in major urban centers across Canada. Collaborate with the Diversity WG with an eye on diversity, equity, and inclusion when defining the purpose of the survey. Explore how the central recruiting software (viLawPortal) might collect background/demographic information on students applying to recruiting programs. Once the goals are clearly defined, investigate the best method for achieving them, including the possibility of greater collaboration with NALP. Collaborate with the Canadian Student Recruitment Work Group, the Diversity Work Group, and the Summer & Articling Work Group to identify best practices in the design and implementation of future surveys and discussion points for the Canadian Student Recruitment Summit.

On-Campus Interview Advisory Group
Coordinate national OCI schedule on an ongoing basis, including any impacts on the schedule due to COVID-19, with input from both law schools and employers, with representation across regions.

Industry Data Collection
Continue to identify and assess where the working group may partner with the NALP Foundation to secure Canadian data. Continue to profile and encourage participation where NALP has an existing survey. Current focus is the open School Salary Survey.

Summer & Articling Recruitment
Continue to revise, as needed, the "NALP Best Practices Recruitment Guide" for Summer and Articling Recruitment for regions throughout Canada and the "NALP Summary of Best Practices." Collaborate with the OCI Advisory Group and provide feedback to the Law Society of Ontario on Recruitment Procedures and suggest improvements where warranted in light of the COVID-19 crisis. Set viLawPortal electronic application service dates for students and employers in markets across Canada and report dates to Section. Collaborate with the Canadian Student Recruitment Work Group and the National Survey Work Group to evaluate new approaches.

Vancouver Summer & Articling Recruitment
Provide both employers and law students with guidance regarding the Vancouver Bar Association's guidelines with respect to interviews for regular and summer articles. Just like the Toronto SAWG, do so through a "Best Practices" document. Set viLawPortal electronic application service dates for students and employers in local markets and report dates to Section.

Member Relations
In conjunction with the Regional Representative, conduct member outreach and request feedback as to the value members would like to see from NALP. Consider reaching out to additional members encouraging them to join the section.

2019-20 Section Chair: Julie Banting, Queen's University Faculty of Law, jbanting@queensu.ca

April 2020 Board Report (PDF)
February 2020 Board Report (PDF)
November 2019 Board Report (PDF)
July 2019 Board Report (PDF)

Work Groups:

Strategic Planning
Collect feedback and prepare a memorandum to the Board of Directors highlighting strategic goals for the Section and its subject matter and/or area of interest.

Canadian Directory of Legal Employers (CDLE)
Continue to market CDLE to employers who have yet to sign up, particularly employers in rural, western Canadian regions and among small and mid-sized firms. Continue to monitor and track membership and usage of the CDLE.

Diversity Working Group
Next Canadian Diversity Summit will be in late 2019.

Mid-Winter Meeting
Develop content, arrange speakers, and coordinate logistics with NALP staff for the End of Year Canadian Section Meeting.

National Recruitment Survey
Collect feedback on the structured summer and articling law student recruitment processes in major urban centers across Canada to improve the recruitment experience of law students and legal employers. Collaborate with the Summer and Articling Work Group to identify best practices in the design and implementation of future surveys.

On-Campus Interview Advisory Group
Coordinate national OCI schedule on an ongoing basis, with input from both law schools and employers, with representation across regions.

Industry Data Collection
Continue to identify and assess where the working group may partner with the NALP Foundation to secure Canadian data. Continue to profile and encourage participation where NALP has an existing survey. Current focus is the open School Salary Survey.

Summer & Articling Recruitment - Toronto
Continue to revise, as needed, the “NALP Best Practices Recruitment Guide” for Summer and Articling Recruitment for regions throughout Canada and the “NALP Summary of Best Practices.” Provide feedback to the Law Society of Ontario on Recruitment Procedures and suggest improvements where warranted. Set viLawPortal electronic application service dates for students and employers in markets across Canada and report dates to Section. Monitor developments in articling alternatives (e.g., experiential learning curriculum at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and Law Practice Program). Review documentation provided as part of the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Dialogue on Licensing. Provide feedback to the Law Society by gathering key issues and concerns regarding potential amendments to the licensing process in Ontario and making a formal written submission to convey issues and concerns.

Vancouver Summer & Articling Recruitment
Provide both employers and law students with guidance regarding the Vancouver Bar Association’s guidelines with respect to interviews for regular and summer articles. Just like the Toronto SAWG, we do so through a “Best Practices” document. Set viLawPortal electronic application service dates for students and employers in local markets and report dates to Section.

2018-19 Section Chair: Danica Steadman, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, danica.steadman@gowlingwlg.com

April 2019 Board Report (PDF)
February 2019 Board Report (PDF)
July 2018 Board Report (PDF)
November 2018 Board Report (PDF)

Work Groups:

Summer & Articling Recruitment - Ontario
Continue to revise, as needed, the “NALP Best Practices Recruitment Guide” for Summer and Articling Recruitment for regions throughout Canada and the “NALP Summary of Best Practices.” Provide feedback to the Law Society of Ontario on Recruitment Procedures and suggest improvements where warranted. Set viLawPortal electronic application service dates for students and employers in markets across Canada and report dates to Section. Monitor developments in articling alternatives (e.g., experiential learning curriculum at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and Law Practice Program). Review documentation provided as part of the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Dialogue on Licensing. Provide feedback to the Law Society by gathering key issues and concerns regarding potential amendments to the licensing process in Ontario and making a formal written submission to convey issues and concerns.

Summer & Articling Recruitment - Vancouver
Provide both employers and law students with guidance regarding the Vancouver Bar Association’s guidelines with respect to interviews for regular and summer articles through a “Best Practices” document.  Set viLawPortal electronic application service dates for students and employers in local markets and report dates to Section.

Canadian Directory of Legal Employers (CDLE)
Continue to market CDLE to employers who have yet to sign up, particularly employers in rural, western Canadian regions and among small and mid-sized firms. Continue to monitor and track membership and usage of the CDLE.

Diversity Working Group
Next Canadian Diversity Summit will be in late 2019.

Mid-Winter Meeting
Develop content, arrange speakers, and coordinate logistics with NALP staff for the End of Year Canadian Section Meeting.

National Recruitment Survey
Collect feedback on the structured summer and articling law student recruitment processes in major urban centers across Canada to improve the recruitment experience of law students and legal employers. Collaborate with the Summer and Articling Work Group to identify best practices in the design and implementation of future surveys.

On-Campus Interview Advisory Group
Coordinate national OCI schedule on an ongoing basis, with input from both law schools and employers, with representation across regions.

Industry Data Collection
Continue to identify and assess where the working group may partner with the NALP Foundation to secure Canadian data. Continue to profile and encourage participation where NALP has an existing survey. Current focus is the open School Salary Survey.

2017-18 Section Chair: Maryanne Forrayi, University of Calgary Faculty of Law, forrayim@ucalgary.ca

April 2018 Board Report (PDF)
February 2018 Board Report (PDF)
November 2017 Board Report (PDF)
July 2017 Board Report (PDF)

Work Groups:

Summer & Articling Recruitment
Continue to revise, as needed, the “Best Practices Recruitment Guide” for Summer and Articling Recruitment for regions throughout Canada. Continue to share emerging information regarding electronic applications that take hold in the Canadian market. Review Report of the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Taskforce on Articling, update Section on the report, consider implications of pilot law practice program (LPP). Monitor implementation of LPP and report back to Section. Monitor other developments in articling alternatives (e.g., experiential learning curriculum at Lakehead U. in Thunder Bay).

Canadian Directory of Legal Employers (CDLE)
Continue to market CDLE to employers who have yet to sign up, particularly employers in rural, western Canadian regions and among small and mid-sized firms. Continue to monitor and track membership and usage of the CDLE.

Diversity
Plan and present 4th annual Canadian Diversity Conference.

End of Year Canadian Section Meeting (formerly known as Toronto Winter Meeting)
Develop content, arrange speakers, and coordinate logistics with NALP staff for the End of Year Canadian Section Meeting.

NALPconnect/Bulletin/Annual Education Conference Planning
Through Bulletin articles and RFPs for conference presentations, share innovative Canadian employer and school initiatives designed to manage employment start dates, improve diversity and cut costs of interviewing and recruitment events; share pertinent information with NALP concerning Canadian key recruitment dates and holidays in order to prevent scheduling conflicts with other NALP events; encourage members to use NALPconnect to share pertinent resources and information, including trends with Canadian Section.

National Recruitment Survey Working Group
Collect feedback on the structured summer and articling law student recruitment processes in major urban centers across Canada to improve the recruitment experience of law students and legal employers. Collaborate with the Summer and Articling Work Group to identify best practices in the design and implementation of future surveys.

On-Campus Interview Advisory Group
Coordinate national OCI schedule on an ongoing basis, with input from both law schools and employers, with representation across regions.

Industry Data Collection Working Group
Continue to assess whether the US NALP attrition survey can include Canadian data and whether to implement a Canadian NALP member survey.

2016-17 Section Chair: Lynn Iding, McInnes Cooper

April 2017 Board Report (PDF)
February 2017 Board Report (PDF)
November 2016 Board Report (PDF)
July 2016 Board Report (PDF)

2015-16 Section Chair: Stacy Keehn, University of Ottawa Faculty of Law (Common Law)

April 2016 Board Report (PDF)
February 2016 Board Report (PDF)
November 2015 Board Report (PDF)
July 2015 Board Report (PDF)

2014-15 Section Chair: Leann Beggs, Gowling LaFleur Henderson LLP

April 2015 Board Report (PDF)

February 2015 Board Report (PDF)

November 2014 Board Report (PDF)

July 2014 Board Report (PDF)

2013-14 Section Chair: Jennifer Lau, University of British Columbia Faculty of Law

2012-2013 Summer Articling Best Practices Guide (PDF)

April 2014 Board Report (PDF)

February 2014 Board Report (PDF)

November 2013 Board Report (PDF)

July 2013 Board Report (PDF)

2012-2013 Section Chair: Marketta Jokinen, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

April 2013 Board Report (PDF)

February 2013 Board Report (PDF)

November 2012 Board Report (PDF)

July 2012 Board Report (PDF)

2011-2012 Section Chair: Michelle Gage, Norton Rose OR LLP

April 2012 Board Report (PDF)

Diversity Working Group Response to CBA Draft (PDF)

February 2012 Board Report (PDF)

November 2011 Board Report (PDF)

July 2011 Board Report (PDF)

2010-2011 Section Chair: Terri Karpish, University of Saskatchewan College of Law

April 2011 Board Report

February 2011 Board Report

November 2010 Board Report (PDF)

2010 Best Practices Guide for Toronto Summer and Articling Recruitment Activities (PDF)

July 2010 Board Report (PDF)

2009-2010 Section Chair: Kara Sutherland, Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP

April 2010 Board Report (PDF)

February 2010 Board Report (PDF)

November 2009 Board Report (PDF)

July 2009 Board Report (PDF)

2008-09 Section Chair: Lisa Blair, University of Ottawa Faculty of Law

March 2009 Board Report - PDF

February 2009 Board Report - PDF

July 2008 Board Report - PDF

November 2008 Board Report - PDF

2007-08 Section Chair: Chantal Morton, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University

July 2007 Board Report - PDF 

November 2007 Board Report - PDF 

February 2008 Board Report - PDF

April 2008 Board Report - PDF