Articling and Summer Students

About Us

Rush Ihas Hardwick LLP is a commercial litigation boutique with a focus on complex commercial and civil litigation. Our team has developed a reputation as skilled, dedicated advocates representing some of the top clients in the region. With a strong commitment to client service, we pride ourselves on adopting innovative approaches to solving our clients’ litigation needs.

About You

Rush Ihas Hardwick LLP hires both summer and articling students with a view to successful candidates joining our firm as litigation associates following the completion of articles. Ideal candidates are motivated self-starters with a history of achievement, academic and otherwise, who thrive on the opportunity to work on challenging, high-level litigation.

The Student Experience

Our students are given considerable responsibility on files, conducting research, preparing opinions, drafting court documents, attending hearings and client meetings. Whenever possible, students are given the opportunity to appear in court and in chambers, both on their own as well as junioring trials, mediations, examinations for discovery and the like. Students are provided with their own office and access to secretarial support.

As a student at our firm you will gain exposure to a wide range of subject areas. In addition to our core practice centered on corporate/commercial disputes, our team has extensive experience litigating matters related to wills and estates, creditors’ remedies, bankruptcy and insolvency, construction and real property, intellectual property, as well as high net worth matrimonial files. The preceding is in no way an exhaustive list, and students are encouraged to work on files in subject areas of particular interest. Our firm is committed to ongoing professional development and students regularly participate in seminars and workshops on practical litigation-related topics. Although we focus exclusively on litigation, our students are given the opportunity to do a secondment with a local firm that has a strong solicitor’s practice to increase the breadth of their articling experience.

We pride ourselves on the high-quality mentoring that a smaller, more intimate work environment permits. Our partners’ doors are always open to students, and considerable resources are invested in ensuring students have the guidance and support they need to advance their professional goals.

About the Area

Kelowna boasts all the amenities of a major centre, including fine dining, excellent shopping, and a vibrant cultural life. The area also offers exceptional recreational opportunities. These include world-class golfing, hiking and water sports in the summer; and in the winter months the nearby mountains attract skiers and outdoor enthusiasts of all descriptions. Kelowna is rapidly becoming known worldwide for its exceptional wineries and vineyards.

Articling/summering with Rush Ihas Hardwick LLP provides an exceptional opportunity to combine professional growth and personal lifestyle in one of the most beautiful cities in Canada, working alongside an experienced, dynamic group of dedicated litigators. The region’s rapidly growing commercial sector and strong economic growth, combined with the reputation of the firm, create an exceptional opportunity for a junior litigator to build a thriving practice.

Compensation

As an articling student, you will receive the following:

• $45,000 per year, including salary paid during PLTCs;
• All costs associated with bar admission and licensing;
• Full medical, dental and additional benefits;
• CBA and other professional membership fees; and
• Reimbursement for Blackberry/Smartphone subscription plan fees.

Summer students are compensated as follows:

• Competitive salary;
• All costs associated with obtaining temporary articles; and
• A bonus applied toward tuition and books if continuing on to article with the firm.

How to Join our Team

A successful application package will include a cover letter, resumé, copies of law school and undergraduate transcripts, and letter(s) of reference (if available). Although application packages in original form are preferred, we also accept those sent electronically as attached files to careers@rihlaw.com or faxed to (250) 868-2659.

We are currently seeking to hire 1-2 articling students for 2011/12 and a summer student for the summer of 2011. There are no application deadlines; however interested applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible. If you plan on being in the Kelowna area and are interested in learning more about us, we are happy to provide informational interviews and firm tours upon request. For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Ken Ihas, Partner, at kihas@rihlaw.com or one of our current students.

Our Students:

• Matthew Lonsdale (Articling 2011/12)