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FIDI Program Guideline
Overview
Internationally trained lawyers or newcomers often face challenges due to the absence of Canadian legal education, work experience in Canadian law, diverse linguistic backgrounds (some with accents), distinct work cultures, and potential bias from employers against internationally trained lawyers. The FIDI program is designed to assist Internationally Trained lawyers with exposure to Canadian law and potential practice areas. This program serves as a valuable platform for them to cultivate and expand their professional connections.
Program Structure
The program's schedule is flexible, and participants can attend one day a week or five days a week. However, time in the program is capped at the equivalent of three months of full-time participation, or approximately 65 full attendance days.
Program Descriptions
Client Relationship Building
Goal: FIDI Participants will gain hands on experience interacting with prospective clients through consults and with retained clients at various stages of the legal process through follow up meetings
Tasks:
- Attend and take comprehensive notes at consultations alongside lawyers
- Attend and take comprehensive notes at follow up meetings alongside lawyers
- Ask questions and have a brief discussion where appropriate with lawyer following meetings
Assessment:
- Attend at least 20 consults. FIDI Participants should attend consults at least once in every area of law except employment, family, and corporate of which they are expected to attend 3:
- Civil
- Immigration*
- Wills and Estates
- Criminal
- Personal Injury
Legal Research and Writing
Goal: FIDI Participants will learn the types of common legal writing tasks in the Canadian legal system
Tasks:
- Draft routine letters, including introductory communications to opposing counsel and letters for document service.
- Assist in drafting a demand letter. Compose or contribute to demand letters as necessary.
- Aid in the preparation of legal briefs.
- Assist in crafting concise and effective letters addressed to the court
- Conduct research as directed on files and write legal memos
Assessment:
- Complete the first draft of a demand letter
- Conduct at least 5 instances of research as directed by lawyers and complete related memos to record findings
Legal Drafting
Goal: FIDI Participants will become familiar with the structure, format and content various common drafting tasks in the Canadian legal system including claims, affidavits, applications, and disclosure
Tasks:
- Draft various documents under the direction and review of lawyers
- Ask questions about the content
- Receive feedback from lawyers as to revisions, improvements etc.
Assessment:
- Assist in drafting one Statement of Claim or Statement of Defence
- Assist in drafting one Application (examples include Subservice Application, Litigation Plan etc.)
- Assist in Drafting one Affidavit
Court Proceedings Attendance
Goal: FIDI Participants will experience the procedures and structure of the various types of court work and alternative dispute resolution appearances building an understanding of the style, expectations and customs of the Canadian Court System
Tasks:
- Attend in person or virtual appearances at various court proceedings and questionings with lawyers
- Participate in preparation meetings and follow ups with lawyers and clients
- Take comprehensive notes and provide insights and ideas
Assessment:
- Attend at least two (2) family, one civil, and one employment matter in court (including applications, special chambers, trial, mediation, arbitration etc.)
- Attend at least 2 Questionings.
Networking
Goal: FIDI Participants will expand their network and build their reputation within the Alberta legal community
Tasks:
- Network with lawyers at the firm
- Network with articling students at the firm
- Attending seminars and other networking events
Assessment:
- Attend biweekly lawyer meetings.
Professional Development
Goal: FIDI Participants will explore new areas of law and share their findings
Tasks:
- Attend lunch and learn sessions.
- Attend sessions with lawyers to discuss their areas of practice.
- Assistance with preparation for legal job interviews
- Writing blogs on various topical areas of law
Assessment:
- Write four (4) blogs on a legal topic you have witnessed or researched.
- Submit your Blog to Lyon Ezeogu for review prior to submission.
- Attend at least three (3) sessions with lawyers on areas of substantive law
Legal Administration
Goal: FIDI Participants will learn about common legal admin tasks and learn about the administrative procedures required by the Alberta court system
Tasks:
- Assist in opening and closing client files, drafting retainer agreements, and filing documents both online and via email
- Assist in compiling disclosures and preparation of binders.
Assessment:
- Assist in two (2) compiling of Disclosures or Affidavit of Records
- Witness at least two (2) commissioning in person or a remote commissioning
- Witness at least two (2) Retainer Agreement signing.
Program Completion Requirements
In order to be eligible for a program completion certificate a FIDI participant must have completed 80% of the assessment requirements. In order to ensure program requirements are met FIDI participants must regularly record their schedule, attendance, and keep track of completed tasks. It is important for FIDI participants to regularly check schedules and reach out if there is a consult, meeting, or appearance they are interested in attending. FIDI participants should also remain active on Teams channels and around the office to become aware of and ask for opportunities.