For students-at-law in the CPLED Program, the next few months will provide many opportunities for learning and growth. There are, of course, the required CPLED modules and supporting resource materials, but CPLED students can boost their learning opportunities through networking and collaboration.
One such networking group is the Calgary CBA Articling Student Section. This group meets for a “lunch and learn” on the third Monday of every month with the goal of helping students work through the monthly CPLED assignments.
Richard Harrison is a CPLED student and co-chair of the Calgary Articling Student Section with Gillian Marriott QC, Executive Director of Pro Bono Law Alberta and counsel with Widdowson Kachur Ostwald Menzies LLP. In September, Paige Coulter, legal counsel with the Court of Queen’s Bench, presented a session on legal research and writing, which Richard found extremely helpful.
“The last Section meeting went through the practice legal research assignments, and in doing so, offered myself and the other students very useful advice on engaging in legal research, and then structuring the writing assignment,” explains Richard. “Just as significantly, the section has also offered a chance to network among other articling students, which gives me another avenue to discuss and work through the CPLED assignments.”
Jennifer Flynn, Director of CPLED in Alberta, reminds students that they need to be mindful of the Professional Integrity Policy. “When it comes to the mandatory competency evaluations, collaboration of any kind is strictly prohibited,” Jennifer cautions. “Before a competency evaluation opens, however, students are absolutely encouraged to talk about and work through the voluntary assignments, learning exercises, and resources together. Sharing and discussing with others is an essential part of the learning process.”
The Calgary CBA Articling Student Section is one example of how students can take advantage of networking opportunities to increase their learning and help them prepare for their legal career. Students can also use the CPLED online discussion forum or create their own study groups.
At LESA, we would love to hear other success stories of networking and collaboration among CPLED students. Do you have a story to share? Send it to [email protected]
As your lifelong partner in continuing legal excellence in Alberta, LESA would like to help promote communication initiatives within the legal community. If you have an initiative or project that would be of interest to the legal community, please send information to Communications Manager Linda Wilkinson at [email protected].
