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The Advisory

Aboriginal Law Student Summer Program Fosters Relationships


The Law Society of Alberta is pleased to facilitate for the third year the aboriginal law student summer employment program. Several law firms to date in Calgary and Edmonton have indicated an interest in participating in the program. The purpose of the program is:
  • (i) to allow law firms and the legal profession to gain greater insight into aboriginal culture and issues;
  • (ii) to provide an opportunity for aboriginal law students early in their legal career to obtain work experience in a law firm; and
  • (iii) to foster opportunities for ongoing relationships to develop between the aboriginal students and practising lawyers. Pursuant to the guidelines listed below, all aboriginal law students who wish to participate in the project are invited to apply. The deadline for applications is December 17, 2007.
To be considered for summer 2008 program, applicants must:
  • have completed first or second year at law school as of April 2008;
  • submit his/her application by December 17, 2007 including an application letter, a resume and transcripts of marks obtained during undergraduate studies and law school to date; and
  • indicate which law firms he/she wishes to consider for employment during the summer of 2008;
After the December 17, 2007 deadline:

  • Applications will be duplicated and forwarded to the law firms. After this time, the Law Society of Alberta will not have a role in the interview or hiring process, or the employment relationship.
  • The law firms may then contact applicants directly to arrange an interview. The law firms may then make offers to such students as they wish.
  • No firm is required to make an offer and no student is required to accept an offer of employment; summer employment will only take place between a firm and a student who come to mutually acceptable terms.
  • Other law firms will be encouraged to participate. If other firms become participants in the project, their name will posted on the LSA website at www.lawsocietyalberta.com and interested students are encouraged to view that web-site before submitting their applications.
Applications and inquiries may be submitted to:

Sharon Allard
Assistant to Policy Counsel
LSA, 500, 919-11th Ave SW
Calgary AB T2R 1P3
Ph. (403) 229-4734.
Fax (403) 228-1728.
Email:
Sharon.Allard@lawsocietyalberta.com.


Law Society of Alberta Counsel Position - Calgary


An exceptional legal opportunity is available within the Law Society of Alberta's professional and collegial environment. We are seeking an experienced litigator who will join our outstanding team in our mission to become a model regulator in protecting the public interest and preserving the fundamental principles of justice. This unique multi-service position will:

  • Work with knowledgeable professionals and paraprofessionals to provide legal and strategic expertise to all departments of the Law Society, the Benchers and committees.
  • Provide advice on operational and public policy matters including assisting in the analysis, drafting and implementation of initiatives.
  • Act as counsel on behalf of the Law Society for all types of internal hearings and appeals, including disciplinary hearings, and before all levels of court.
This position is ideal for candidates who:
  • Have a minimum of 10 years of practice experience with an emphasis on criminal or civil litigation or administrative law hearings.
  • Have demonstrated advanced written and oral communication skills and wish to work effectively as part of a dynamic team.
  • Have strong interpersonal skills enabling you to deal with challenging situations with integrity, empathy, and sincerity. Value work-life balance and a respectful working environment.
Please contact Maureen Forbes at:
780-412-2309 or
Maureen.Forbes@lawsocietyalberta.com
for complete details.

What to Do When a Lawyer's File is Requested?

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the lawyer then realizes that information contained in the file may prove damaging to one of the parties. The lawyer then has a problem. Throughout this progression of the file, the lawyer should have been mindful to the potential development of a conflict. The point at which the damaging information came into their possession would have been the point in time for the lawyer to send all the parties for independent legal advice – the parties were no longer "rowing the boat together".

When the lawyer is unable to determine which documents can be provided to each client, an application to court for the appointment of a referee to sort through the file will be made at the request of any of the parties concerned.

What can be particularly difficult for the lawyer is the situation where there is no clear evidence that the parties provided informed consent to the multiple representation – illustrating the importance of the conflict letter on every file. In those cases, each party, through independent counsel, would be free to argue that some privilege exists over certain aspects of the file.

While it is only material information that must be shared between the parties, we would suggest that, at least between the lender and borrower/purchaser, probably the only information that would not be material would be the statement of account between the purchaser and lawyer.