Ottawa’s summer is in full swing, and we hope that you’ve had time to enjoy the weather and get away to some shade or the cottage for a break from the heat! Here at the CCLA Library, we are busy planning for the fall, and in particular for the new articling students that will be arriving at firms and the library in the coming weeks.
The CCLA and its library have a lot to offer students, from social and educational events to reference and support services. If new students are joining your firm, we encourage you to pass this newsletter onto them so that they can stay informed, and if you are a new student we’d love for you to stop by the library for a tour and learn about library resources, services, and training opportunities that may assist you during your articles.
I’ve consolidated a short list of things that articling students may want to check out at the CCLA this year below. As always, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions!
1. The CCLA e-Newsletter
Perhaps the most valuable tool for new members of our legal community is the CCLA’s e-Newsletter, which is sent out once per week and shares news and notices, educational and social events, and job opportunities relevant to the East Region legal community. Students can sign up for the newsletter by clicking here, or they can follow us on Twitter or Facebook, where it is also posted each week.
2. Social Events and Pub Nights
The CCLA holds a number of social events and pub nights throughout the year that offer a chance for articling students, new lawyers, and not-so-new lawyers to meet one another. There is no registration necessary, and we provide the snacks. Our first pub night of the year is scheduled for Thursday, September 22nd from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at MacLaren’s Pub. These events are always advertised on our Calendar of Events and via our e-Newsletter.
3. Learning and Professional Development Opportunities
The CCLA also offers a number of educational opportunities geared specifically toward articling students, which can be a great help during articles and provide opportunities to network with other legal professionals. Check out our joint program with the OBA on August 19th: Excelling at Articles: Surviving and Thriving in Your First Year, or our workshop on Small Claims in September. Mentoring events and dinners are also held throughout the year, providing opportunities to ask established mentors your toughest questions. The CCLA Library also offers a number of free Quicklaw and Westlaw training sessions throughout the year, for when you want to brush up on your skills and learn how to research faster and more effectively.
All of the CCLA’s other annual conferences and seminars, including our four Cornerstone Conferences, Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, Family Law, and Solicitors, also offer excellent opportunities for students to learn about law practice and meet established legal professionals. Many of these conferences are must-attend networking and learning events in the East Region, and students are strongly encouraged to attend.
All of our events and registration information can be found on the Calendar of Events on our website.
4. Library Resources, Services, and Tours
The CCLA Library can be an enormous help to students during their articles, especially when they need reference or research assistance. Call us if you need help finding cases, researching legislation, or finding the materials you need to answer a tough research question. We can also walk you through online sources and legal databases and help you use them to your full advantage. The library also offers an extensive print collection, computer, printing, photocopying, and wireless access in the Courthouse, free access to legal databases, and quiet study space. This is not to mention the friendly staff, who are always happy to help out in any way they can.
We hope you’ll come in for a tour of the library, as they’re a great opportunity to meet the library staff and learn about the resources and services that we have to offer. Drop us a line if you’d like to schedule a tour; you can check out the pre-scheduled tour times here, or contact your Reference Librarian, Kaitlyn Tribe (that’s me), at ktribe@ccla-abcc.ca to schedule one at an alternate time. We look forward to meeting you!
These are just a few of the opportunities the CCLA is offering articling students this year. Information about other educational and community events, CCLA membership opportunities for students, and other tools and services can all be found on our website. Please don’t hesitate to contact me or any of the other CCLA staff if you have any questions.
