Miller Thomson’s Edmonton office intends to hire two to three students in their first year of law school for our summer student program. See the “How to Apply” section for details.
Student Experience
Our summer students participate in a comprehensive national orientation, systems and library training program during their first week with the firm. Throughout the summer, students are invited to attend regional and national training sessions and programs offered by our Learning Department.
Our students handle a variety of assignments for all our practice groups during their summer at Miller Thomson. Students will have the opportunity to work within the areas of Administrative Law, Business, Litigation, Real Estate and Tax. Students are also encouraged to be entrepreneurial, and seek work and experiences of interest to them.
On the litigation side, our students may be involved with the following: the preparation of trials; support at trials; appear at Court (including Small Claims); attend with lawyers at examinations for discovery; meet with clients; assist lawyers on large litigation cases; and conduct research. Students are given full responsibility for Small Claims files — they learn to deal with clients directly, attend settlement conferences, negotiate settlements, interview witnesses and conduct the trials. This is done under the supervision of experienced litigators.
On the corporate side, our students may be involved with: preparing documents for buying, selling and financing business ventures; preparing wills; assisting in the probate of estates; drafting agreements and letters of intent for commercial contracts; reviewing and researching taxation issues; assisting with the preparation of construction contracts and research construction-related issues; assisting in the conveyance of real property; supporting due diligence efforts in commercial transactions; attending at closings of transactions; participating in client meetings; and conducting other general research.
Mentoring
Each summer student is paired with an associate mentor who helps the student integrate into the firm environment and provides invaluable guidance and support. Members of the Student Recruitment Committee and the Professional Resources team are also available to support the students throughout the summer.
Firm Culture
We encourage our students to participate in all aspects of firm life, including social, charitable and community activities, client events and student-specific teambuilding activities.
Feedback
Our students will receive a formal review during their summer term. In addition, we provide informal positive and constructive feedback throughout the summer, including ways to focus on personal strengths and improving your skillset.
Professional Development
Students receive an office-specific orientation and participate in the national summer student orientation program. This program provides training sessions over a three-week period on firm organization, practice management tips, communication, legal writing and research and substantive overviews of our practice areas. Throughout the summer, the students continue their professional development by attending firm-wide and practice-specific continuing legal education seminars presented both locally and nationally. One-on-one coaching is also made available to the students upon request.
Articling Program
Hiring
The Edmonton office has hired our articling students for 2024-2025, 2025-2026,and 2026-2027 through our summer student program. As a result, we will not be hiring additional articling students or participating in upcoming articling recruitments. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Student Experience
Our students are exposed to a wide variety of experiences during their articling year. Students spend approximately six months in each of the solicitors and litigation departments.
On the litigation side, our students help with the preparation of trials; junior at trials; appear as counsel at trials in Provincial Court (including Small Claims); appear as counsel in Chambers; attend with lawyers at examinations for discovery; meet with clients; assist lawyers on large litigation cases; and conduct research. Students are given full responsibility for Small Claims files — they learn to deal with clients directly, attend settlement conferences, negotiate settlements, interview witnesses and conduct the trials. This is done under the supervision of experienced litigators.
On the solicitors’ side, our students prepare documents for buying, selling and financing business ventures; prepare wills; assist in the probate of estates; draft agreements and letters of intent for commercial contracts; review and research taxation issues; help with the preparation of construction contracts and research construction-related issues; assist in the conveyance of real property; support due diligence efforts in commercial transactions; attend at closings of transactions; participate in client meetings; and conduct other general research.
Firm Culture
We encourage our students to participate in all aspects of firm life, including social, charitable and community activities, client events and student-specific teambuilding activities.
Mentoring
As part of our support structure, students are paired with a partner who acts as their principal.
Feedback
Our Students receive two formal reviews. In addition, we provide informal feedback throughout the entire year in order to provide timely and constructive advice and areas for improvement.
Professional Development
Throughout articling, students continue their professional development with additional continuing legal education programs designed specifically for them. Students are invited to attend all firm-wide and practice-specific continuing legal education seminars. We also provide students with on-going training and seminars to develop their practical and legal skills using seminar formats specifically designed for students.
How To Apply
1L 2025 Summer Student (Edmonton)
Our summer student positions have now been filled, thank you for interest in our firm!
Miller Thomson invites first year law students to apply to our Summer Student Program.
Applications will be accepted through the viDesktop portal, which will open on January 22, 2025 and close on January 29, 2025 at 11:59 pm MST. Thereafter, interviews for summer positions are conducted in accordance with the procedures and guidelines of the Law Society of Alberta.
First year law school students should apply with the following documents:
cover letter
resume
undergraduate and law school official transcripts (scanned/PDF copies accepted)
list of midterm or interim law grades if final grades are not available
Miller Thomson will provide accommodations on request throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process for applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodations, please inform Melissa Preston, Partner and Chair of the Student Recruitment Committee at [email protected] of the nature of accommodations that you may require, to ensure your equal participation.
Applicants may address their materials to:
Melissa Preston Partner Miller Thomson LLP 2700 Commerce Place 10155 – 102 Street Edmonton, AB T5J 4G8
2025 1L Summer Recruitment Dates:
Application Deadline: January 29, 2025. Apply via the viDesktop
Interview Week: February 18–21, 2025
Interviews will be held in-person at our Edmonton office
Offer Day: Friday, February 21, 2025 at 4:00 pm MST
Our Students
Our students are available to answer any questions you may have about our summer and articling student programs.
