Student Testimonials:
Meet our Students

We believe Clark Wilson LLP is the best law firm in the city to work for, as many of the firm’s current and former students will attest (see below to hear from our summer and articling students). Or, feel free to contact any member of our Students' Committee.



Our Current Students:

Back row: Bernice Wong (UVic), Craig Rollins (University of Windsor), Kevin McLean (University of Windsor), Victor Dudas (UBC)
Front row: Rong (Lauren) Liang (UBC), Chris Hunt (University of Manitoba), Matthew Ely (UBC), Kelsey O'Bray (UVic), Nafeesa Kara (UBC)

Please feel free to contact any of our students by email by clicking on their names above.

Personal Testimonials:

"When I look back on my summer here at Clark Wilson, two things really stand out. The first is the variety of interesting work that I have received. Summer articling students are exposed to both solicitors and litigation work. During the summer, I have had assignments ranging from figuring out how to obtain a government permit, which involved calling various authorities, to running back to the office because the judge wanted additional case law by the end of lunch. I have met a variety of clients in formal settings and social settings, particularly at the firm's weekly softball game against clients.

The second thing that stands out is the atmosphere at the firm. Everyone is very helpful, which is important, as I have asked my fair share of questions this summer. I think there's one experience of mine that really sums up what working at Clark Wilson is like. I received an assignment from an associate involving the law in the U.S. I knocked on a senior partner’s door and asked if the firm had any resources that could help me. I thought I was going to get pointed in the right direction and sent on my way; however, this senior partner proceeded to show me in detail the various resources and how to use them.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my summer at Clark Wilson and look forward to returning to complete my articles."

Victor Dudas
2008 Summer Student

"My summer articling experience with Clark Wilson has been fantastic. From the moment I accepted the summer articling position, the firm has included me in all of its social functions and educational seminars, which enabled me to meet and get to know my future colleagues. By the time I started my summer article, I felt I had already become a member of the Clark Wilson family.

As a summer articling student at Clark Wilson, I was exposed to challenging work and was given considerable responsibilities, even direct client contact. Meanwhile, the firm provided me with tremendous support. Everyone, from senior partners to staff members, is willing to give their time to guide and assist me in fulfilling my responsibilities.

For my career, Clark Wilson has always been my No. 1 choice, and my experience with the firm during the summer exceeded my expectations."

Rong (Lauren) Liang
2008 Summer Student

"My summer articling experience has been extremely positive at Clark Wilson. The lawyers are patient and dedicated to student development. I've had the opportunity to get a sense of the entire process involved with a file, including client correspondence, research and drafting documents. I am looking forward to returning for my full articles to get a more in-depth look at many of the practice areas and procedures I've had exposure to."

Kelsey O'Bray
2008 Summer Student

"I am a 2007 graduate of UBC and have recently completed my articles at Clark Wilson. To echo the sentiments of my colleagues, I cannot say enough about the great experiences I have enjoyed at the firm. When I started articling, I was amazed with how friendly and welcoming everyone was, from the staff up to the most senior partners. Whenever you begin a new job, it's common to feel nervous and uncertain and you definitely have lots of questions, but because Clark Wilson cultivates a true open-door policy, no one ever made me feel uncomfortable about asking questions, even when I was asking what were, in retrospect, the most obvious things! I believe that this is what enables the firm to give students more challenging and interesting work - because you know you can always ask for help, it makes you eager to take on more responsibility. This, in turn, helps our students' legal skills develop at a much faster rate than if they spent the majority of their time doing the same things over and over again. Further, there are many occasions where you can meet other members of the firm who can provide invaluable tips on navigating through the early stages of your career. Throughout my articles and now as an associate, I have had some great mentors at Clark Wilson who have gone out of their way to provide me with advice on how to better develop as a lawyer. I am very excited to be beginning my career at Clark Wilson as a member of the Corporate Finance/Securities Group."

Angela Blake
2008 Articling Student

"As an articling student, I’ve had a wonderful experience at Clark Wilson. The work is interesting and varied, the people are friendly and welcoming, and the learning experience is invaluable. I joined the firm as a summer student and was immediately given the opportunity to be involved in complex cases and attend court, and I have always been encouraged to actively seek out work in my areas of interest. As well, the collegial environment and support system at Clark Wilson are exceptional – there is always someone willing to help and provide guidance. Clark Wilson’s reputation first drew me to the firm, but it is the people that keep me coming back!"

Bernice Wong
2008 Articling Student

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my summer articling experience at Clark Wilson. The people here are great to work with and are genuinely interested in helping students get the most out of the articling experience. The rotation system allows students to gain experience in almost all areas of law and provides for a well-rounded summer session. However, if one displays enthusiasm for any particular area of law, the firm is also flexible and will help students attain meaningful work in that area.

The firm has lived up to and exceeded my expectations and I could not ask for a better firm to work at."

Craig Rollins
2008 Summer Student

"After summering at Clark Wilson LLP, I can honestly say that I could not have chosen a better firm in which to begin my legal career. Not only do the people who work here strike the perfect balance between professionalism and collegiality, but the quality and diversity of the work make for an extremely enjoyable and rewarding articling experience."

David Hunter
2006 Summer Student

"My summer articling experience has been extremely rewarding and I am thrilled to have started my legal career at Clark Wilson LLP.

What has made this experience particularly enjoyable are the people, and the good quality of work and responsibility lawyers are willing to share with the students. From day one, the lawyers, staff and other students were extremely approachable and friendly and went out of their way to welcome me and share their experiences. The structured rotations have provided me with an opportunity to work with lawyers from different practice areas, which has given me a really good sense of the areas that interest me."

Everyone here is genuinely enthusiastic about the practice of law and that has resulted in challenging, hands-on work that I have really enjoyed. The firm’s commitment to a balanced life is evident in the wide variety of events and activities that lawyers, staff and students regularly participate in. I can’t wait to begin my formal articles at Clark Wilson LLP after completing my final year of law school."

Pratibha Sharma
2006 Summer Student

"I was immediately impressed by the commitment that Clark Wilson LLP showed to its students from the moment that I was hired. I was given the opportunity to attend education sessions and social events with the firm in the months leading up to commencement of my summer articles. This allowed me to develop relationships with both young associates and senior partners.

As I began my work as a summer student, I already felt that I was an important part of the future of the firm. I completed both my summer articles and formal articles at the firm and while there is no denying that at student's articling year is a difficult one, I can honestly say that I learned a great deal.

Clark Wilson LLP has two formal rotations - business and litigation - and in each rotation I was immersed in files that were both challenging and interesting. I was very impressed with the amount of responsibility that I was given as a student. While I was encouraged to take on responsibility and work independently, the lawyers were willing to give advice, direction and support.

I am confident that this is the ideal firm at which to begin my legal career. The firm truly has an open door policy, which is very beneficial for articling students and young associates beginning their legal careers. Articling at Clark Wilson LLP was a great experience. It was without reservation that I accepted the opportunity to join their Commercial Real Estate and Commercial Lending group when my articles were complete."

Kyle Wilson
2006 Articling Student

"I summered and articled at Clark Wilson LLP. During that experience, I was exposed to all aspects of the practice of law. The structured rotation provides students the opportunity to attend court and participate in business transactions. This approach allowed me to make an informed decision as to the direction I wanted to take my legal career. The firm promotes a number of social events, charitable and otherwise, that allows students to develop relationships with staff, associates and partners alike.

Clark Wilson LLP has an abundance of resources that students are trained on and encouraged to access in order to develop their legal skills. Despite the inevitable feelings associated with inexperience, I always felt comfortable asking lawyers questions about files I was working on or general questions relating to the practice of law.

I was fortunate to have worked on a number of interesting and challenging files. In all cases, I had the opportunity to improve my legal skills whether it be through research, legal analysis, drafting, advocacy or client management.

Clark Wilson LLP provides a principal to each student. My principal was pro-active in ensuring that I was receiving support, quality work and generally that I was enjoying my articles."

Brad Kielmann
2006 Articling Student

"I am a newly called associate at Clark Wilson LLP in the Corporate/Commercial and Higher Learning pracitice groups. I grew up on Vancouver Island in Campbell River, and obtained my undergraduate degree in Political Science from SFU and my law degree from UBC. I completed my summer articles here at Clark Wilson LLP and following a clerkship at the BC Court of Appeal, I completed my regular articles here as well.

I chose to undertake all my post-secondary education in BC because I was born and raised here and there is no other place I would rather start my career. Having completed my summer articles at Clark Wilson LLP, I can say the same about this firm: there is no other place I would rather start my career. As a locally-based law firm with a vision to be the law firm of choice for business in BC, Clark Wilson LLP was the right fit for me.

Articling and now working as a lawyer at Clark Wilson LLP has been really fulfilling and every day has offered fresh opportunities to become involved in new and interesting files and projects . The lawyers and staff at Clark Wilson LLP are a dynamic and diverse group who truly understand and demonstrate what it means to be a team. As a summer student and as a regular articling student, I enjoyed a great deal of responsibility early on but guidance was provided and readily available when needed . One thing that I found exciting about articling was that I was encouraged to take the initiative both in seeking out files and in taking responsibility for the work involved. I cannot recommend the summer articling and regular articling experience at Clark Wilson LLP enough, and I am very e xcited to be starting my career here."

Shauna Towriss
Articling Class of 2006

"As a student at UBC applying for a summer articling position, I was attracted to Clark Wilson LLP by the firm’s focus on business in British Columbia, the summer rotation through both business and litigation practice groups and the firm’s commitment to hiring students for the long term. I completed my summer and regular articles here and was continually impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit, the collegiality of the lawyers and staff, and the level of client contact. Even as a student, opportunities abound to work directly with clients and to meet with and develop relationships with B.C.’s current and upcoming business leaders.

Since moving to Vancouver in elementary school, I have come to appreciate all that makes Vancouver a first rate city in which to live and work. As a student, and now as an associate at Clark Wilson LLP, I have been given the opportunity to experience the best of what Vancouver has to offer while gaining the experience and training I need to excel in the practice of corporate law. Everyday, I am immersed in the transactions that fuel our economy, and after work I have time to enjoy the city’s many world class features. What’s more, the lawyers at Clark Wilson LLP are supportive and engaging, taking time to instruct and provide advice and encouragement along the way, and this, as I’ve learned, does not end when become an associate. This was a great firm in which to article, and is an even better place to practice law."

Michal Jaworski
Articling Class of 2005/06

"I grew up in Langley and graduated from UBC with a B.Sc. in 1996. After undergrad, I took a few years off school and worked first for an electronics company and then for a biotechnology company before starting law school. I summered at Clark Wilson LLP after second year and started my full articles here in May 2004.

Many firms in Vancouver offer well rounded articles, but when you are making a choice, the people you work with make all the difference. At CW, the lawyers and staff are energetic and enthusiastic about their diverse practice areas. Guidance is readily offered, and people are genuinely interested in helping you get the most out of your articles. By hiring students with a view to keeping them on in the long term, CW fosters an environment of cooperation which makes articling here a very positive experience.

I feel fortunate to have been given the opportunity to article with such a supportive firm!"

Tasha Coulter
Articling Class of 2004/05

"I spent the Summer of 1983, prior to entering my 3rd year of law school at UBC, articling at Clark Wilson LLP as a summer student under what was then called a "Service Scholarship". Unlike the current summer program, the firm was assigned to you by the law school.

My articling experience, even as a summer student, was excellent and when asked if I would return for regular articles, I didn't hesitate in accepting.

I quickly became part of the team and had the opportunity to work on complex matters, attend Court, meet with clients and handle files. This "hands-on " involvement as a student continued when I returned to complete regular articles after 3rd year. As the saying goes, I've been with the firm ever since and never looked back. The professional opportunities presented to me and the congenial atmosphere at the firm has made my decision to stay with Clark Wilson LLP for the duration of my career an easy one."

Diane Bell
Articling Class of 1985

"I articled at Clark Wilson LLP in 1968 and never left the firm. Throughout the years I have maintained an open door policy to articling students because one of the best ways to "learn the ropes" is from more experienced practitioners. To learn from one's own mistakes and not repeat them is worthwhile but to learn from mistakes of others and not incur them in the first place is invaluable."

Derek Mullan, Q.C.
Articling Class of 1967