We have been working with other law societies for many years to better understand the issues associated with the articling experience and the training of new lawyers. We surveyed articling students/new lawyers and principals/mentors/recruiters in 2019 and in 2024 to see if or how the articling system has changed, and what areas still need work.
The information gathered from the surveys, in addition to other information and data collected from various sources, continue to inform next steps in addressing ongoing issues in the articling system.
The 2024 survey results revealed two key findings:
- Half of respondents who completed articling feel prepared or very prepared for entry-level practice overall, and there has been a year-over-year improvement since 2022.
- Of those who responded, approximately one in three reported experiencing discrimination or harassment during recruitment and/or articling. This is comparable to the 2019 results.
Read the full report for more detailed findings.
Cross-Jurisdictional Results
An analysis of the data across the jurisdictions was completed to also produce a cross-jurisdictional report. This report offers valuable insights and identifies similar themes across the jurisdictions. This allows the provinces to seek opportunities for collaboration on next steps as we continue our work to enhance the articling experience and entry level practice.
When looking at the cross-jurisdictional report findings specific to Alberta, it is important to note that Alberta accounted for 36 per cent of the total sample of student/new lawyer respondents across the participating provinces. View the full report for more details.
Next Steps
The information gathered from the surveys, in addition to other information and data collected over the years, will inform next steps in addressing the issues identified. We are not relying solely on the survey data for decision-making, but it provides valuable insight into immediate and long-term needs. We receive information from various sources, including complaint submissions, reports to the Equity Ombudsperson, Practice Advisor inquiries, and the Articling Placement Program to name a few.
The Law Society will continue to look at ways to engage with firms/organizations, the legal profession and other members of the legal community to improve the articling experience.