ARTICLED CLERKS 2026-27
Who we are:
Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission (NSLAC) delivers quality legal aid services throughout the Province, providing some level of help to all Nova Scotians with a focus on assisting those who are systematically disadvantaged. NSLAC’s focus is in the practice areas of criminal, family, and social justice law.
NSLAC employs staff in 24 offices and 3 sub-offices throughout the Province. Our staff are comprised of Staff Lawyers, Legal Assistants, Paralegals, Court Support Workers, Social Workers, a Social Justice Support Worker, and a Prison Law Support Worker. Our staff help thousands of clients every year. We are committed to helping overcome historical and ongoing barriers to access to justice and our Staff Lawyers have litigated many important cases to protect the rights of individuals.
We value a workplace where diversity, in all its forms, is encouraged and recognized for its contribution to a more creative, rewarding workplace that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. We welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity deserving groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application, cover letter or resume.
Positions Available:
This posting is for the following:
- Three (3) Articled Clerk positions (locations TBD) are open for the period from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027, with one of these positions designated for a graduate of the Indigenous Blacks and Mi’kmaq Initiative (IB&M Initiative) at the Schulich School of Law. However, we also welcome applications from all individuals belonging to equity deserving groups, such as African Nova Scotian or Black, Mi’kmaq or Indigenous, Racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, Persons with Disabilities, and Women. These applications will be considered if a successful candidate is not found within the IB&M Initiative.
Closing Date:
Monday, January 13, 2025 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
Primary Functions:
Reporting to the Principal Lawyer and under the direction of Staff Lawyers, Articled Clerks will perform duties in accordance with the work plan prepared with their appointed Principal, as per the guidelines outlined by the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society. Articled Clerks will gain knowledge of the day-to-day operations of the NSLAC and assist lawyers working on behalf of our clients. Additionally, Articled Clerks will do short rotations in all NSLAC core practice areas (family, criminal [including duty counsel, youth, and mental health legal services] and social justice law.
Benefits:
- Annual salary of $46,644.00*
* These rates are for 2024 They may change 2026/2027.
- Paid enrollment fees as an Articled Clerk
- Paid enrollment fees in the the Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP), including materials
- Paid fees for Application for Admission to the NSBS
- Paid cost of the Bar Admission Dinner
- Blue Cross Medical/Dental Plan (provided length of contract meets our minimum standard of one year)
- 3 weeks paid vacation per year
- General Illness leave (employees are entitled to a maximum of 126 hours per year as per our policy. They may also use the general illness bank for medical and dental appointments if required)
- Mileage and other expenses paid while on NSLAC business
- 12 ½ paid statutory and other holidays per year
At NSLAC, we recognize the value of lived experience and understand that academic performance is not the only indicator of future success. If you believe that your non-academic challenges and achievements make you an ideal candidate, please tell us about them.
If you want to be a member of a team that is highly experienced, very caring, dedicated and committed to their clients, we would like to hear from you.
Please indicate Position Title in the email subject line. Please send your resume, cover letter, and law school transcript to NSLA-Careers@nslegalaid.ca.
NSLAC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, NSLAC will ensure that Persons with Disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If accommodation is needed, please let us know when we call you for an interview.
While we appreciate receiving all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. All applications will be held in strict confidence.