Ottawa Programs

Summer Program 

Osler’s Ottawa office offers the unmatched resources and deep talent of a large national firm, with the high energy and collegiality of a smaller office. Over the course of your summer or articling program, you will have an in-depth opportunity to work with our lawyers, with the support of our paraprofessional and administrative staff.

The newly redesigned Ottawa office in the World Exchange Plaza features a modern and high-tech space that supports a collaborative, communal work environment and includes a fully equipped virtual trial room. The Ottawa office provides an opportunity to maximize synergies among its Intellectual Property and Business practices to advance the interest of our clients in knowledge-based industries. 

The Osler Ottawa IP summer program offers students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in our renowned Intellectual Property practice. Our dynamic, top-ranked team excels across all areas of IP law, both in and out of the courtroom, before the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, and advising clients on deals in the boardroom.

At Osler, we provide students with a realistic experience of practicing law at a leading firm. From day one, our inclusive and supportive environment ensures that students are integral team members, valued for their contributions across all aspects of our practice.  Whether it is learning the ropes from our expert litigators helping to bring generic and biosimilar pharmaceutical products to the Canadian market, advising clients on the best branding strategies, or pushing the frontier of copyright law, you will emerge from the student experience at Osler ready to practice.

Articling Program

The articling term at our Ottawa office builds on our Summer Student experience by further exposing our articling Students to a breadth of aspects of Intellectual Property Law during their 10-month term. You will be involved in all stages of client work including drafting of pleadings, affidavits, legal opinions and memoranda, working with world renowned experts, conducting due diligence as well as experience working on written and oral aspects of litigation. 

Training and Mentorship 

As a result of our smaller office, you benefit from a direct relationship with your mentors.  Osler provides a comprehensive 2-week training program at the start of each term as well as several smaller sessions through our online training platform.

A smaller office affords students a direct relationship with their mentors and advisors through active team building events as well as casual mentor lunches and coffee chats. The Intellectual Property group meets regularly for practice group meetings where Partners, Associates and Students are encouraged to present on interesting and emerging market practices and recent jurisprudence. Ottawa’s Partners and Associates maintain an open-door environment and welcome time with students to guide and coach them through their legal education and understanding of a legal practice.

How to apply 

Summer Program

The Ottawa office hires two to four summer students in the IP department — typically one or two 1Ls and 2Ls each term. The IP summer student recruitment occurs between September and October each year.

Please note that the Ottawa office only accepts electronic applications. 
Applications can be submitted via the Student Applicant Portal.

Applications received through other means (e.g. email, courier, fax) will not be reviewed.