Articling Student

**Location: London or Dundas, ON Canada**

**Type: Contract**

**Date: April 14, 2023**

Founded in 1973, the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is a leading health-care union representing more than 68,000 registered nurses and health professionals and 18,000 nursing student affiliates working in Ontario hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, community, clinics and industry. ONA is committed to the advancement of the social, economic and general welfare of its members providing labour relations services that include representation of members to ensure their rights under the collective agreement are protected and negotiating the best possible terms and conditions of employment. ONA advocates for the highest standards of health care for all Ontarians. Looking to the future, ONA will continue to provide proactive strategies to raise the awareness of the value (including economic and patient benefits) of RNs with all stakeholders.

ONA is excited to offer an articling position for the 2024/2025 articling term. This is a unique opportunity for a student who is interested in practicing in labour law. As in-house counsel, the student will be integrated into the operations of ONA, participating in the union movement from the inside, and will gain insight into the many complex legal issues that arise for our members. The student will develop their advocacy skills by being provided with hands-on litigation experience with carriage over their own files.

**Articling Experience**:
ONA has an excellent reputation in the labour community. We vigorously pursue advancements in the law, advocating for legislative changes, and arguing precedent setting cases in a variety of forums.

The articling student will be an integrated part of the Litigation Team, which includes eighteen lawyers. The Litigation Team is led by experienced legal counsel, the Manager of Litigation and a Senior Legal Counsel. The Team delivers legal services to ONA staff and membership, litigating extensively on complex and important labour and human rights issues impacting our membership. Labour arbitration and proceedings before the Ontario Labour Relations Board form the core of the team’s practice. If interested, the student will have the opportunity to expand their practice to include legal services offered uniquely by ONA to its members. Specifically, the student will have the opportunity to be directly involved in the following types of files:

- Grievance Arbitrations
- Human Rights Tribunal Applications
- Professional Disciplinary Proceedings before the College of Nurses of Ontario and other regulatory bodies
- _Workplace Safety and Insurance Act_ appeals to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Tribunal

ONA offers a practical hands-on articling program. Students are actively involved in representation of our members and all aspects of litigation and file preparation, including conducting legal research; the provision of summary advice and legal opinions; drafting pleadings, communications and legal submissions; attending client meetings, preparing witnesses to testify, and assisting in the crafting of legal argument; and attending mediations and hearings. The student will have the opportunity to actively participate at hearings under the supervision of counsel.

ONA offers a competitive salary, including payment of the Bar Admission Course fees.

**Application Process**:
ONA will be adhering to the Law Society of Ontario’s procedures for articling recruitment.
**Applications are due on May 17, 2023 by 5:00 pm**. Applicants will receive an offer on
**June 1, 2023 by 5:00 pm**.

Applications must include a cover letter and resume, transcripts (law school and undergraduate degrees), a writing sample and three reference letters with contact information for the referees in addition to a list of courses being taken in 3rd year.

For questions about this opportunity, please contact Glen Oram, Manager of Litigation, at 416-964-8833.
- The Ontario Nurses’ Association is committed to employment and pay equity within its staff. Applications are encouraged from equity groups including individuals of Indigenous descent, racialized individuals, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ persons. We also provide _
- accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). If you require accommodation for a disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources_.
- Thank you for your interest in joining us. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted._