Apply to be an articling student with the Government of Yukon

The Government of Yukon hires an articling student every year. During the student's term, they:

• conduct legal research;
• support the opinion work of the lawyers in Legal Services;
• participate in civil litigation files and matters before administrative tribunals;
• take conduct of regulatory prosecutions before the Yukon Territorial Court; and
• may attend court circuits in communities outside Whitehorse.

Practice groups

Our articling student is based within the Litigation Group but may work with counsel from the other practice groups:

• Aboriginal Law Group
• Natural Resources and Environmental Law Group
• Solicitors Group
• Legislative Counsel Office

Eligibility

You must have either:

• successfully completed your law degree at the start of the term of your articles; or
• have received a certificate of qualification from the National Committee of Accreditation.

How long is the articling term?

Articling terms are one year and typically run from June 1 through May 31 of the following year. Precise dates are negotiable.

During this time you will take the 8-week Professional Legal Training Course in Vancouver that the Law Society of British Columbia offers. This is usually mid-February to mid-April.

What is the pay?

• Approximately $58,901.40 (effective June 2024)

• Payable bi-weekly throughout the articling year

What are the employee benefits?

• A maximum of $1,000 towards the cost of travel to Whitehorse for the start of articles.
• The government pays the cost of the Professional Legal Training Course.
• Return airfare between Whitehorse and Vancouver to attend the Professional Legal Training Course.
• Health and dental care benefits as per the Yukon Employees' Union Collective Agreement.

How many hours will you work?

• No fewer than 37.5 hours per week
• Normally 7.5 hours per day
• Overtime as may be required to meet operational demands. We do not provide compensation for overtime.

Vacation and statutory holidays

You'll get 15 paid vacation days plus the following paid holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Heritage Day (February)
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Victoria Day
• Indigenous Peoples Day (June)
• Canada Day
• Discovery Day (August)
• Labour Day
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• Thanksgiving Day
• Remembrance Day
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day

What happens after your articling term?

When you successfully complete you articles and the Professional Legal Training Course you can apply for admission to the Law Society of Yukon. We do not guarantee employment with the government. Many former articling students have found employment as lawyers with:

• Legal Services; or
• other organizations and firms within the Yukon.

How to apply

Application deadline

• March 31 every year by 11:59 p.m. Yukon Standard Time.
• We will not consider incomplete or late applications.

Prepare your application

There is no application form. You must submit the following documents as your application:

• a résumé;
• 3 letters of reference;
• undergraduate and law school transcripts (we accept photocopies);
• a cover letter outlining your interest in and qualifications for:
  • articles with the Government of Yukon; and
  • anything specific to a litigation practice.

Submit your application

Email: jus.hr@yukon.ca