Articling

“Trust your instinct to the end, though you can render no reason.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Program:

For more than 95 years, our firm has focused on both insurance defence and personal injury litigation. For this reason, articling students at Will Davidson LLP are provided with an invaluable opportunity to learn the litigation process from the perspective of both a plaintiff and a defendant. Whether working on complex cases for a large insurance company or focusing in on a case for an individual, the practical experience gained by our students better prepares them for a career in litigation. Our students work closely with all of our lawyers on an equal amount of defence and plaintiff matters. Our students are given a great deal of responsibility and independence throughout the term, all while being supervised and mentored by our experienced counsel.

While articling at Will Davidson LLP, our students will complete a wide range of tasks and assignments including, but not limited to:

  • conduct legal research
  • prepare legal documents and argument
  • prepare for and attend at motions
  • prepare for and assist with trials
  • maintain carriage of Small Claims Court matters
  • conduct Small Claims Court trials independently
  • attend at examinations for discovery and mediations

Our students make important contributions and we welcome their energy and enthusiasm.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Articling Committee, articling@willdavidson.ca

LIFE AT WILL DAVIDSON

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT WORK…

FIRM-WIDE SOCIALS

Every summer and holiday season, the entire firm gets together to enjoy each other’s company out of the office. This past summer featured a fun-filled afternoon of team-based trivia challenge in Toronto.

SOCIAL & NETWORKING EVENTS

Students are encouraged to attend social/networking events during their time at Will Davidson LLP. These events are an excellent opportunity to become better acquainted with our lawyers, as well as making connections in the Toronto/Ontario legal community.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Read our testimonials from our former students below.

Sophie Jackson articled 2021-2022

“Articling at Will Davidson LLP provided me the unique opportunity to work on both plaintiff and defence files. From day one I was tasked with a high level of responsibility and empowered to work directly with clients, draft complex legal documents, argue motions at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, appear on matters in front of the LAT, and assist with trial preparations. I also conducted research on a wide array of legal issues and supported lawyers in their preparation of CLE materials. Will Davidson LLP’s broad range of practice areas always made my days diverse, challenging, and interesting.

Despite the inherent issues caused by the ongoing global pandemic, the work environment was supportive and friendly. I felt comfortable approaching the lawyers and staff with any questions I had and was mentored in a meaningful way. I was often brought along to client meetings, discoveries, mediations, and pre-trial conferences, where I was able to engage with both the law and real-world legal practice strategies. I also had the opportunity to attend events put on by numerous organizations, including Will Davidson’s own annual seminar event and the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association spring conference.

I completed my articles with a well-rounded learning experience and felt prepared to enter the profession. I would highly recommend Will Davidson LLP to any law students excited to get in the courtroom and begin their legal careers in civil litigation”

Khelan Soogrim articled 2020-2021

“My articling term took place during a global pandemic, which made navigating an already incredibly anxious and stressful process even more complicated. Despite this, I could not have asked for a more positive and supportive environment to help overcome these difficulties. The lawyers and staff at Will Davidson were always available for any questions and took an active interest in my continued progress.  Anyone seriously considering a career in civil litigation should look no further than Will Davidson. Having the unique opportunity to work and observe how personal injury and insurance defence lawyers assess and build up their files is invaluable. From day one, I was tasked with drafting motion records and pleadings, conducting legal research, as well as shadowing lawyers at discoveries, mediations and pre-trial conferences. I will come out of my articling term with a strong sense of pride and accomplishment, as well as confidence that my knowledge and understanding of the civil litigation process have increased substantially.”

Hudson Chalmers articled 2019-2020

“I could not have asked for a more positive articling experience than the one I had at Will Davidson LLP. The lawyers and staff did an excellent job making me feel like a valued member of the team from my first day in the office. During my articles I was assigned work from both the insurance defence and plaintiff personal injury practice areas, which provided valuable insights on how both defence and plaintiff lawyers approach their files. I was also invited to shadow lawyers at discoveries and mediations, which introduced me to different litigation strategies employed by opposing counsel. Under the mentorship and supervision of the lawyers at the firm, I was given the responsibility of carrying my own Small Claims Court files and drafting factums for the Superior Court and the Court of Appeal. I attended motions court on an almost weekly basis. The highlight of my articling experience was sitting “second chair” on a 22-day jury trial. I received Interesting and challenging assignments and exceptional courtroom training while articling at Will Davidson LLP, which has provided me with knowledge and confidence to commence my legal career in litigation. I could not imagine articling anywhere else.”

Grant Black articled 2019-2020

“Articling at Will Davidson LLP was an amazing experience, I felt welcomed and an enjoyment of coming in to work from the start. While articling I had the opportunity to work with many different lawyers across Will Davidson’s multiple offices, which gave me exposure to each of their unique areas of practices and methods of carrying out the legal process. This work included legal research, document drafting and serving, attendance of mediations, discoveries and pre-trials as well as client meetings. This accompanied with the weekly in court appearances I attended allowed me to develop my own unique method of litigating and file management which I was able to implement on the multiple Small Claims Court files I was intrusted to manage. The highlight of my articling came when I was asked to help prepare for and sit second chair to one of the firm’s Partners on a two week medical malpractice trial, an experience which allowed me to attain more knowledge in the field than I could have ever hoped for. Articling with Will Davidson LLP is an invaluable experience for anyone serious about gaining the best opportunities to begin their career in Civil Litigation, especially in the fields of Personal Injury and Insurance Defence.”

Christian Genova articled 2018-2019

“Throughout my articling term, I gained valuable exposure to the firm’s diverse plaintiff personal injury and insurance defence practices.  I was further provided with important responsibilities such as assisting on trials and appeals, arguing contested motions, conducting class action research, and having sole carriage of small claims files. These unique opportunities have not only allowed me to develop a holistic understanding of the law but have also taught me professionalism and equipped me with the requisite advocacy skills to be successful moving forward.  All the while, I was mentored by lawyers and staff who were consistently knowledgeable, patient and supportive. I cannot speak highly enough of my articling experience at Will Davidson LLP.”

 

Gurpal Sandhu articled 2017-2018

“Articling at Will Davidson LLP was an exceptional experience. The firm gave me a high level of responsibility that enabled me to make meaningful contributions from day one. I regularly attended court, maintained carriage of numerous Small Claims Court matters, was asked to prepare for and act as second-char on four different matters going to trial, and was successful at a contested motion that was reported on CanLII. Throughout all of these experiences, the lawyers and staff at Will Davidson LLP provided me with the foundational guidance necessary to be successful as an Articling Student and young lawyer. I learned different litigation styles and techniques, the nuances involved in cultivating lasting client relationships, and the importance of developing my own unique approach to the law. This is not to mention the exposure the firm gave me to numerous practices areas within plaintiff personal injury and insurance defence litigation, the varied clientele I interacted with almost daily, the unique Continuing Legal Education events hosted by the firm, and the firm’s encouragement of my interests. In short, I attained everything I could have hoped for by Articling at Will Davidson LLP.”

Renee Pugh articled 2017-2018

“I really enjoyed my articling term at Will Davidson LLP. I was afforded opportunities on both the plaintiff and defence side. I gained experience attending motions, settlement conferences, mediations, and examinations. I had the opportunity to carry small claims files independently and a highlight was succeeding at trial. I can’t imagine a more challenging and fulfilling articling experience. I highly recommend Will Davidson LLP for articling students who want to gain a strong foundation in civil litigation from top lawyers in the industry.”

Samantha Shatz articled 2015-2016

Articling at Will Davidson LLP was an unforgettable experience. I enjoyed coming to work and I am grateful for the people at Will Davidson who made my articles so memorable. I felt I was part of the team from day one. Articling with Will Davidson provided me with first class litigation experience and with a variety of opportunities to prepare me for my first year as an Associate. Highlights of my articles include assisting in a two week jury trial, attending court on a weekly basis, and shadowing on mediations, discoveries and pre trials. I also ran a Small Claims Court trial and assisted with a Supreme Court of Canada leave application. Gaining exposure to both Plaintiff and Defence practices allowed for an invaluable experience. Most important, I was given the comfort to ask questions and seek advice from all members of the firm whenever I needed to.

Valerie Lord articled 2015-2016

From day one, my articling experience at Will Davidson was both challenging and fulfilling. The amount of hands on court experience I was exposed to was invaluable to my training. I attended motions on a weekly basis and handled several Small Claim Trials. The lawyers and the entire Will Davidson team were always approachable, and they consistently made time to ensure my success on assignments. The split between Plaintiff work and Defence is truly unique, and allowed me to gain a comprehensive understanding of each file I was working on, whether it was for a institutional client or otherwise. I have come out of my articles with a tremendous amount of knowledge and confidence in my capabilities thanks to the time and support Will Davidson provided me.

Elisabeth van Rensburg articled 2014-2015

“I can’t imagine a better articling experience than the one I had at Will Davidson LLP. The firm’s dual-sided practice allowed me to explore my interests in both personal injury and insurance defence practices. I was given as much responsibility as I could demonstrate I was capable of taking on. I was given work that was important and involved in the management of files. I was encouraged to work with all lawyers in the firm. I attended court at least once per week, carried my own Small Claims Court files and conducted interesting legal research. Will Davidson LLP also encourages articling students to attend professional development and CLE events. I attended events put on by the Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association and Canadian Defence Lawyers. These events were a great opportunity to develop my legal knowledge and network with others in the industry. I came out of articling at Will Davidson LLP feeling like I had received the training necessary to be an excellent lawyer. I am excited to have returned to such a fantastic firm as an Associate on the plaintiff side of the practice.”

Michaela Diakiw articled 2012-2013

“Articling at Will Davidson LLP is unique to all other articling programs. The firm offers a true split between plaintiff and defence work that you simply cannot find anywhere else. Students are given work from both practices, and are expected to provide the same level of quality work to both sides. I was given far more responsibility than I would at most firms. On the very first day, I was sent to motions court, given carriage of Small Claims matters and provided with a variety of research projects. Over the next month, I prepared to sit second chair on a multimillion dollar arbitration proceeding. At Will Davidson LLP, I was given the opportunity to argue contested motions, attend all available proceedings and was taught to draft legal opinions for institutional clients. The articling program at Will Davidson LLP provides a quality foundation for future lawyers that is hard to rival.”

Meghan Walker articled 2011-2012

“While articling with Will Davidson LLP, I was given diverse and hands-on assignments which helped me develop my oral and written advocacy skills. As an articling student, I was given guidance and support by all lawyers of the firm, and I was provided with countless opportunities to make meaningful contributions to client files. During my articling term, I assisted with and attended at trial, attended various motions and other court appearances, drafted litigation materials, attended mediations, conducted my own Small Claims Court trial, met with and interviewed clients and conducted complex legal research. From early on, it was evident to me that Will Davidson LLP has worked hard to put together an articling term that puts a strong emphasis on professional development through practical hands-on experiences. Working closely with such talented and friendly lawyers was an extremely rewarding and invaluable experience.”

Scott Frew articled 2005-2006

“Over the course of my articles at Will Davidson LLP, I was presented with many challenging opportunities including working directly with clients, arguing complex motions in the Ontario Superior Court, and assisting with trials. These experiences allowed me to build a rapport with the clientele and develop skills as a litigator. In terms of a working environment, not only did the lawyers at Will Davidson LLP provide mentorship, they also created an environment where I felt comfortable approaching them with questions. My articling year was truly a memorable experience.”

Paul Cahill of Will Davidson LLP.

Paul Cahill articled 2004-2005

“I articled at Will Davidson LLP in 2004-2005. During this time I had the opportunity to work on a number of trials with senior counsel, including a lengthy and complicated medical malpractice action. I didn’t know it at the time, but this exposure to this area of the law guided my career to focus on medical malpractice matters. Will Davidson LLP offers the necessary learning environment and experience for articling students to develop strong litigation skills. I would highly recommend articling at Will Davidson LLP.”

Jim Davidson articled 1993

“I started as a summer student and then joined the firm as an articling student the following year. I have been here ever since. For me, it was the people at Will Davidson that made all the difference. I was guided and mentored at every stage of my career. During my articles, I was treated with respect and given interesting assignments that paved the way for future success. I now do whatever I can to ensure that new articling students have the same positive experience that I had.”

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