Collegial and Supportive

We pride ourselves on a collegial and supportive work environment. We operate on a first name basis, have an open-door policy, and subscribe to a business casual dress code. We are committed to providing our law students with exposure to all aspects of the firm’s practices of law coupled with a student experience commensurate with each students’ individual needs and interests. Equality, inclusion, and respect are ingrained in Soloway Wright’s history and culture.

Work with Lawyers, Independent Work, Time at Court

The law student program at Soloway Wright is designed to expose students to the firm’s daily operations and the many facets of private practice. We do not have a formal rotation system; instead, students work closely with our partners and associates on various files and legal problems, helping tackle complex legal issues while developing the skills needed to serve clients.

The firm has developed a comprehensive training and orientation program for its summer students to ensure that you will be well-equipped to work at the firm. This is a two-week program that is given at the start of your summer with us.

During both the summer and articling, students:

• Complete in-depth legal research and analysis;
• Draft pleadings;
• Draft agreements;
• Attend at Court, accompanying lawyers and on their own;
• Attend mediations and examinations for discovery;
• Are responsible for Small Claims Court files; and
• Communicate and meet with clients.

This broad range of experiences helps equip students to become well-rounded lawyers.

Seminars

We have created a series of law seminars that are provided to students throughout their articling term by all of the lawyers at the firm, including our Kingston office. These seminars give students information about each of the lawyers’ specific area of practice and substantive information about the different practice areas at the firm. In addition, the seminars provide students with an opportunity to learn about the practical side of law and to spend one-on-one time with the firm’s lawyers and ask them questions. Not only do the seminars enhance the students’ legal knowledge, they also help you become a part of the Soloway Wright team.

Paid Professional Development

Soloway Wright also pays for students to attend continuing education events throughout the year, on a case by case basis. Further, students are invited and encouraged to attend all continuing professional development lunch and learns hosted by the firm’s various practice groups.

The Business of Law

Finally, as a student at Soloway Wright you are not only trained in the substantive practice of law, you are also taught the business of law in private practice throughout your articling term. Students learn about accounting practices; docketing and billing your time; how to build and maintain client relationships; and general practice management.

Progress Reviews and Monthly Meetings

Our lawyers value the opportunity to act as mentors and are available to answer students’ questions. During both the summer and articling term, students receive feedback in a variety of ways, including directly from lawyers on day-to-day work and more formally at review meetings. Our Articling Committee will regularly review your progress and is available to discuss matters of both a professional and general nature with you.

In addition, you will be assigned two associates to meet with informally once per month to discuss your experience, ask questions, and receive guidance. Finally, the articling committee members are available to answer students’ questions and to provide feedback throughout the summer and articling term.

Hiring from Within

In the past nine years, Soloway Wright is proud to have offered hire back to approximately 70% of our articling students.  While we cannot guarantee that our students will be hired back, the firm always seeks to grow from within. An important firm objective is to recruit its new lawyers and eventual partners from the ranks of its articling students who will maintain Soloway Wright’s excellent reputation. The firm has a number of associates and partners who started their careers as students with the firm and continue to build their careers here.

Competitive Salaries and Paid Licensing Exam Fees              

We determine student salaries at the beginning of each articling and summer period and ensure that we are competitive with comparable firms in the Ottawa area. Articling students are eligible to enroll in our firm’s benefits package. Soloway Wright also pays all Licensing Exam fees.

Over 75 Years of Philanthropy, Volunteering and Charitable Events

Soloway Wright is well known in the Ottawa community as being devoted to volunteerism and philanthropy. Many of the firm’s lawyers are personally involved in charitable endeavours outside of work.

Further, the firm participates in a variety of volunteer events including the YMCA Golf Tournament, the County of Carleton Law Association’s Angel Tree Program, and the County of Carleton Law Association’s Ottawa Food Bank Drive. Students are actively involved in all of these events and are also encouraged to suggest their own charitable and volunteer ideas. Many lawyers sit on the boards of directors of charities, hospitals and universities and give freely of their time and energy to these important causes.

Safety First, Virtual and In Person Work Setups

Fortunately, Soloway Wright has been able to continue its full practice throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The firm is committed to ensuring that Soloway Wright is a safe and healthy work environment for its lawyers, staff, and students. As such, the firm has followed the directions of Ottawa Public Health, the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada in crafting its COVID-19 response policy. Soloway Wright remains alert to the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to modify its policies accordingly.