Imagine...

Becoming a member of one of Vancouver's premier law firms

Having many of the West Coast's leading lawyers to work with and learn from

Training in a law firm which has played a major role in shaping British Columbia since 1890

Perceptions and Reality

You've probably imagined articling in one of the oldest, largest and most progressive law firms in British Columbia. You've heard great things about us. You've wondered what it would be like to become a part of Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP.

Wouldn't it be great if, for once, reality matched or exceeded your expectations?

We aim to provide our students with an exceptional articling experience. If you want to work with intelligent, self-motivated, highly respected and collegial lawyers, you'll find them at Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP.

Our firm is comprised of approximately 100 lawyers who practise in more than thirty specific areas. Our lawyers actively engage in the firm's articling program and work closely with our students throughout their articles. Most of our lawyers completed their articles at Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP and, therefore, know the impact and importance of welcoming, interacting with and involving our articled students in every aspect of the firm's business and social life.

Orientation and Training

At Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP, we believe there's absolutely no point in hiring high-potential people unless we give them every opportunity to develop and succeed. To this end, we conduct a comprehensive orientation program for our students during their first week at the firm. Our students become familiar with the firm's libraries, computerized research facilities, office equipment, accounting procedures and organizational structure. We provide training on our local area networks and document management systems. Senior lawyers ensure that students become familiar with professional standards, insurance and undertakings. We also encourage all students to participate in business development training programs.

Quality Resources

Articling students at Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP have access to one of the most complete, in-house libraries in Vancouver, as well as use of the latest electronic research tools available. Our professional library staff is available to assist all students and lawyers. Many of our practice areas have their own satellite libraries offering specialized texts and reports. All of our students have their own computers in their offices, providing access to in-firm and on-line information and document management.

Mentoring Program

The firm has a very successful mentoring program in place for our students and new lawyers.

At the beginning of your articling year, you will be assigned a principal who will be available to offer you advice about your career and the firm. Two additional lawyers, in their first few years of call, will also be assigned to advise and assist you during your articles.

Professional Development

In addition to the many projects you will work on as a student, the firm organizes a regular series of in-house seminars to promote continuing professional education. Topics covered include practice management, effective advocacy, understanding financial statements, drafting principles relating to commercial documents, effective writing, research, and business development.

Expectations and Feedback

We will clarify our expectations in order to create an involved, responsive working environment for you. Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP provides a formalized assessment and feedback system to inform you on your progress. We strive to offer an excellent articling experience by providing open communication, clearly expressed expectations and follow-up feedback and discussions throughout your articles.

Becoming a Lawyer

Articling is intended to prepare you to become a lawyer. Our articled students receive a good variety of hands-on experience while at Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP. Your articling time will be divided between business and litigation rotations encompassing all of our practice areas.

You will help draft agreements and research memos, prepare pleadings and court documents, attend court, discoveries, and practice group meetings, and be involved in many aspects of our ongoing work.

Students experience a range of practice areas within the firm through their interactions and working relationships with many lawyers. We encourage our students to seek work in practice areas of particular interest to them.

Our People Make the Firm

Although we've been in business since 1890, we're not old-fashioned or set in our ways. We do respect traditions but we also embrace new ideas and forward thinking. A great source of innovation is bright, eager articled students and recently called lawyers who bring fresh ideas to our firm.

Rest assured, the articling process is just as important to us as it is to you. Continuous infusions of forward thinking, innovative perspectives and raw enthusiasm give Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP its energy. Our collective ability to anticipate and embrace change depends on an articling program that attracts future lawyers with the willingness and ability to contribute right away.

The Right Stuff

We believe in the importance of your academic ability and intelligence. After all, we are looking for high-performance students and new lawyers who will continue to shape Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP's reputation for leadership in the future. However, marks are not the only barometer by which we measure our candidates.

One of the toughest qualities to measure and judge is people skills. A lawyer's future is determined, in large part, by his or her ability to work effectively with colleagues and clients. Our firm values strong character, congenial personality and effective communication skills.

Having people who possess these attributes not only makes the firm a positive and often fun place to be, it also makes us a better, more cohesive and productive law firm for our clients.

The Balancing Act

We are all familiar with the old adage about all work and no play. Although hard work and productivity will be key to your success, balance is also an essential component. To reinforce this point, the firm provides a generous benefits package, including a health club membership subsidy, to our students and lawyers.

We field a number of recreational, seasonal teams and activities that all lawyers, staff and students are welcome to join. Throughout your articles you will be invited to attend firm-organized student dinners, firm-wide themed events, the Winter Party, the Summer Party and more.

Many of our Partners are under 50 years old and many of our lawyers have young families. We naturally expect our students and lawyers to work hard but we also recognize our responsibility to encourage you to achieve balance in other areas, particularly in your personal life.

Vancouver - The Place To Be

Vancouver is one of North America's best cities in which to lead an active lifestyle. Surrounded by mountains and the ocean, Vancouver is a picture-perfect destination and the ideal location for you to start your legal career.

Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver at the corner of Burrard and Georgia Streets, Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP is literally just steps away from the very best of what Vancouver has to offer. Diversity and excitement abound in and around our beautiful city. Vancouver is home to an endless assortment of cultural festivals, ethnic celebrations, sporting events, and outstanding cuisine. Natural beauty, a temperate climate, four distinct seasons, a safe and clean community, and a thriving economy are just a few of the many reasons people of all ages choose to live, work or study in Vancouver.

Contact Us

While inquiries by e-mail are encouraged please note that, for ease of processing, we do not accept applications by e-mail. Applications must be in writing, including transcripts and, if you wish, letters of reference, directed to:

Madalynne McPherson
Articling Coordinator
email mvm@bht.com
phone 604.641.4815
fax 604.646.2673

or

Beth Allard
Partner in Charge of Articling Program
email ba@bht.com
phone 604.641.4962
fax 604.646.2541