Students

Success. Learn it here.

Since 1971, we have provided innovative legal solutions to Canadian and international clients on a broad range of issues. Our commitment to legal excellence and client success has helped Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l. become the largest independent full-service law firm in Canada’s National Capital Region. For students that represents opportunity.

We provide students with a superior articling or summer work experience, including exposure to a broad range of practice areas and access to resources and support that are second to none. More, our students see firsthand what makes a firm, and our individual lawyers, succeed. With approximately 50 lawyers and 60 administrative professionals, we are continually evolving to meet the changing needs of our clients. Regardless of our client’s legal issue, our approach is constant: delivering a solution that is both sound and efficient.

We provide our clients with clarity, focus, direction and efficiency and tech our students to do the same so that they will succeed as well.

The success of the community in which we live and do business is our success. Our firm gives back to the community that has helped us become a leader. We have a long and proud history of supporting various Ottawa institutions and charities. Our efforts have helped organizations such as Terry Fox Foundation, Youville Centre, Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, Citizen Advocacy, Ronald McDonald House, and The Ottawa Mission, among many others.

We take our student program very seriously. We are proud of the talented students we’ve attracted, and especially that so many of them have gone on to launch their careers with our firm.

Summer Program

Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l. offers students the opportunity to begin their careers with the premier independent full-service firm in the National Capital Region as a summer student after completion of their second last year of law school.

Students get to know our firm while gaining valuable hands-on experience. All summer students are assigned a mentor to act as a sounding board and to offer advice and guidance during the summer months. Although the short time frame does not allow for a complete rotational program, students will complete two of the four rotations, ensuring that students get exposure to numerous different areas of the law. Most importantly, our students gain exposure to a dynamic, growing, successful firm and the leading professionals who make it happen.  More specifically, our summer articling students are given access to experiential learning through attendance at client meetings aand court hearings, as well as through their independent work on small claims court files. Summer student salaries are equivalent to the pro rated salary of articling students. We also encourage our summer students to join in our social functions for the season. In fact, the vast majority of our summer students enjoy their experience so much that they choose to come back here for their articling term. We take our student programs seriously because we know many of these students will be building our firm in the future.

Join us for the summer; we believe you’ll come back.

Articling Program

At Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l., our commitment to client success has made us the largest and most successful independent law firm in the National Capital Region. For our articling students, that means a superior articling experience, including exposure to a broad range of practice areas and access to resources and support that are second to none.

To maximize your articling experience we provide four rotations over a 10-month placement, each with a different practice focus. Our system is flexible, allowing you to pursue areas of personal interest and, in certain cases, to follow a file from beginning to end. All students are supported by a dedicated Principal (Partner), Mentor (Associate), Research Director, Librarian, and Co-Chairs of the Student Program. These individuals have a professional responsibility to each student and their success.

Our support team is a critical part of our strength. Our firm has a strong team of administrators, law clerks, legal assistants, librarian, IT and accounting personnel supporting our more than 50 lawyers.

We also provide a competitive salary and benefits package. In fact, the salary we offer is among the top range for articling programs in Ottawa. The firm also pays for both the articling licensing fees and examination fees levied by the Law Society of Ontario, as well as salary during the required study breaks related to the examination. We want you to make our firm your professional home and we are committed to doing what it takes to help you succeed.

In addition to the range of law we practice, our size means we’re able to provide you with support and access to resources that will significantly enrich your experience. These include:

  • Dedicated Research Director
  • Extensive In-House Law Library
  • Targeted Seminar Programs
  • Superior Technology
  • Social Calendar
  • Exceptional Clients

We believe that a strong, cohesive team delivers superior service to our clients. That’s why we invite our students to get involved in the many learning opportunities, charitable activities and social events organized by the firm.  We place considerable emphasis on the mentorship, education, and experiential learning opportunities provided to our students.

Most importantly, our firm offers the opportunity to work in an environment where they will learn success and gain exposure to legal professionals. We attract and mentor talented individuals.

Join us as a summer student after completion of your second year of law school and earn valuable hands-on experience in your chosen field.

Student Testimonials

“Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall has given me exactly what I was hoping to experience during articling and more. I have been exposed to a wide range of areas of law, even ones I did not know existed, while still given the opportunity to hone in on my specific interests. Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall gives the best of both worlds. On one hand, it offers opportunities to learn from experts in different fields. On the other hand, it offers a breadth of direct hands-on experiences and advocacy opportunities, while equipping students with the tools and resources to develop critical skills that build the foundations of a successful lawyer. Most importantly, I have built great friendships and mentorship relationships with lawyers and staff that I know will transcend articling.”

Veronica Blanco Sanchez Associate - 2020 Articling Student

“Articling at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall has been all around an amazing experience. The firm puts a lot of care and effort into the articling program to ensure students gain the necessary skills and tools to set them up for success in the legal field. I was especially impressed with the legal and professional mentorship provided to the students. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to work on a variety of projects from many different areas of law and to work with supportive lawyers and staff from all practice groups.”

Selena Saikaley Associate - 2020 Articling Student

“As an articling student at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall, I am receiving invaluable practical legal experience and mentoring. We are trusted with small claims cases from pleadings to resolution, and involved in major cases in diverse areas of law. I really feel like part of the team, and I feel appreciated for my work.

Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall offers students the right balance between extensive experiences and resources, a collegial atmosphere and work-life balance. Because of this, my articling experience has been extremely rewarding!” (translated from French)

Noémie Ducret Associate - 2020 Articling Student

“My experience as a student at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall has truly exceeded all my expectations. The firm provides exceptional training and guidance, both formally and informally, while also providing exposure to a wide variety of practice areas. In my eyes, the student program at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall is unique as the firm has deep roots in Ottawa and the surrounding area which allows for the rewarding opportunity to participate in substantive and important work in the community.

Everyone at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall takes great pride in sharing the firm’s collegial, team-oriented culture. I feel fortunate to be part of a firm that promotes a healthy lifestyle, and I am especially grateful for the friendships I have formed over the course of my summer and articling.”

Simon Barry Articling Student

“At Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall, I have been given an opportunity to hone in on my legal interests in a dynamic learning environment. As an articling student, I have been given a lot of responsibilities and my input is valued. I feel like a part of the team and was impressed by the support and mentorship offered by the lawyers and staff.”

Mariam Sarr Articling Student

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to article with the amazing people at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall. Working with the firm’s many unique practice groups was both a challenging and rewarding experience and has helped me to discover which areas of the law I am most passionate about.  The firm has an incredibly collegial atmosphere, and as an articling student I have always felt like a valued member of the team. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with, and learn from, the lawyers and staff of Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall.”

James Wilding Articling Student

“I really appreciate my articling experience at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall for the opportunity to expose myself to a wide variety of practice areas, so that I am able to explore and determine my own area of interest and develop well-rounded skills as a future lawyer. Moreover, the firm offers a collegial environment and strong mentorship that enables me to learn and grow; the lawyers and staff I have worked with are always supportive, understanding, and willing to teach and help. It has been a fantastic journey for me in terms of receiving legal training and cultivating meaningful long-term professional relationships.”

Shuhang Zhong Articling Student

Articling at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall has truly been an incredible experience. The firm provides amazing legal, as well as career development training to guide the students’ transition into the work environment and to set them up for success in the legal field. As an articling student, I appreciate the numerous hands-on opportunities allowing me to gain exposure to a variety of practice areas; I also appreciate the firm’s flexibility in supporting me to explore and pursue my interest complementary to the rotation system. Most importantly, I immensely enjoy the firm’s collegial atmosphere, and have formed great friendships and mentorship relationships with my colleagues that I know will go beyond articling.

Jack Song Articling Student - 2023

My experience at Perley-Robertson, Hill and McDougall has exceeded all my expectations.  The firm’s rotation system as well as its mentorship program provide exceptional experience, training, and guidance.  The lawyers are delighted to involve students in a wide variety of cases while always valuing the student’s input.    The firm’s collegial and team-oriented culture really distinguishes Perley-Robertson, Hill and McDougall.

I believe that Perley-Robertson, Hill and McDougall is an exceptional firm for law students to kickstart their career.

Vincent Martel Articling Student - 2023

Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall has given me the opportunity to do consequential work and the privilege of working alongside Ottawa’s leading practitioners. Students work directly with clients, ranging from individuals in our communities to businesses with a national presence, on the entire gamut of law. I have been repeatedly excited about the complex and rewarding projects the firm is entrusted to work on.

I am particularly thankful for the culture of camaraderie and collegiality I’ve experienced. Anyone seeking a firm that will support them through work that will challenge and hone their legal skills should look no further than Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall.

Cody Richard Articling Student - 2023

Articling at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP has been one of the most valuable learning experiences of my life. I am so grateful to have so many friends and mentors amongst my colleagues, and to have the support and resources that I need to grow as a legal professional. I believe that my interests are recognized and respected by those in leadership within the Firm, and I deeply appreciate that my supervising lawyers continuously seek to provide me with opportunities to pursue my individual passions through my work. My articling experience has been incredibly diverse and dynamic. I very much appreciate that I have been able to work on such a wide range of legal issues and projects, and that I have been given a level of responsibility that has allowed me to feel fully involved in the files that I am on.

Rachel Articling Student - 2023

Articling at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l. has been an amazing experience. From day one, the firm has not only offered a wealth of practical legal experience but has also provided exceptional mentorship. Through its rotation system, the firm provides comprehensive guidance, exposing students to diverse practice areas. This allows students to discover which areas of the law they are most passionate about whilst obtaining hands-on legal expertise in those areas. Additionally, the firm’s ample resources, collegial environment and team-oriented culture made my experience at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l. deeply fulfilling. I am very grateful for the meaningful friendships and professional relationships I have formed during my time in both my summer and articling terms.

Danyka Simard Articling Student - 2024

Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l. has provided an incredible commencement for my career in law. Out of the many firms in Ottawa, I can confidently say that the level of deference, responsibility, and array of exposure students receive ranks at the top. Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l. offers an in-depth rotation structure which truly allowed me to solidify what areas of law I want to build my future practice in. Moreover, the support I have received on all my work and active files, coupled with the close-knit firm culture, has really made me feel like part of the team.

Quinn Scarlett Articling Student - 2024

Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l. has afforded me with a great opportunity to grow and learn from some of the most distinguished and passionate lawyers in Ottawa. Not only are partners and lawyers thrilled to involve students in a range of matters, but they make an effort to involve you in files which align with your interests.  The hands-on student program equips you with the skills essential for success.

The Firm also distinguishes itself by its excellent support staff and mentorship. The mentorship culture is unlike any other. I am extremely thankful for the invaluable friendships I have formed, and which will continue well into the future.

Désirée Estephan-Saliba Articling Student - 2024

Current Students

Each year we are proud of the talented students our summer and articling programs attract. We are equally proud of how many go on to launch successful careers with Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l.

Our success as a firm is due to our people, and our student programs are one of the chief ways we expand our team with high-quality, high-achieving individuals.

This year’s students are:

Articling Students – 2024-25

Ana Beslija

Sierra Forster

Charles-Olivier Murray

Priyanka Preet

 

How to Apply

Why not start your career with Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall as either a summer or articling student?  Both programs will give you an opportunity to get to know our firm while gaining valuable hands-on experience.

At Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall, we follow the Law Society sanctioned procedure for recruitment of summer and articling students in Ottawa.

2025 General Summer Student Recruitment

  • viLaw portal opens: Friday, December 6, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. (EST)
  • Application deadline: Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (EST)
  • OCI and interview period: Friday, January 24, 2025 to Thursday, February 27, 2025
  • Call day for offers: Thursday, February 28, 2025 commencing at 8:00 a.m. (EST)

Please submit your application package through the viRecruit Portal and include a cover letter, your résumé, law school and undergraduate transcripts, as well as a writing sample of no more than five (5) pages (may be an excerpt from a longer paper). For bilingual candidates, please submit your cover letter and writing sample in French as well.

If you are unable to submit your package through the viRecruit Portal, these items should be forwarded by email to Jessica Barrow or Anne-Marie Magneron, Co-Chairs, Student Program at [email protected].

If you would like to learn more about us, or the articling and student programs at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l., please contact Jessica Barrow or Anne-Marie Magneron, Co-Chairs, Student Program at 613.238.2022 or [email protected].