Careers
EMPLOYMENT INQUIRIES
Resumes for administrative staff (non-lawyer) positions at Owen Bird Law Corporation should be forwarded to our Human Resources Manager.
Resumes from lawyers or law students may be forwarded to the attention of Michael Robson (Chair of the Associates/Articling Students Committee).
LAWYERS
The lawyers at Owen Bird share a common practice philosophy. We strive for excellence in our practice but attempt to do so in an environment that is relaxed and enjoyable. We believe that there is more to life than the practice of law, and all lawyers and students are encouraged to live balanced lives.
While our shareholder/associate ratio of roughly 2:1 may appear high, it reflects our belief that associates should be invited to join as a shareholder once they have demonstrated sound judgment and attained a requisite level of experience and skill.
FIRM MANAGEMENT
The management of the firm is democratic, not hierarchical. The worth of the individual is reflected in the fact that, in spite of our size, we continue to make major policy decisions after seeking the input of all.
We have an Associates/Articling Committee whose function and responsibility is to recruit students and associates, to represent the interests of associates and students and to set up and monitor the training of associates and students. Another example of our democratic approach is the fact that our Associates/Articling Committee includes three associates who play an integral role in the work of this committee and the hiring process.
Practice Group meetings, which are attended by shareholders, associates and students, are held on a regular basis to discuss developments in the law and workload. In addition, all lawyers attend Firm meetings, which are held periodically to address matters of general importance to the Firm and the profession generally.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
We do not have as many organized social events as do some firms. Our strength lies in the way in which we socialize on an informal basis.
There are, however, certain annual social events designed to foster Firm spirit and friendship. There is the Firm Christmas party, a summer party and a bi-annual weekend retreat for lawyers and students. There is also a monthly "lawyers' lunch" to which all lawyers and students have an open invitation. We have informal sports teams which everyone is welcome to join.
LIBRARY FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY
The Firm has a comprehensive library which includes up to date computer research facilities and has one full-time librarian. Lawyers and students have easy access to online research sources including Quicklaw and LexisNexis, as well as CD-ROM based materials.
OTHER UNIQUE FEATURES OF OUR FIRM
We reward results and efficiency through our remuneration system. Associates in their third year of practice and beyond participate in an incentive system which gives them an opportunity to earn more than their contemporaries elsewhere. Our shareholders are compensated, to a significant extent, according to performance rather than seniority.
Owen Bird provides its students and associates with exposure to practice in many areas, including specialized fields not commonly found in other firms. One of our features is our unique client base. In addition to general corporate clients and financial institutions, we act for:
- television and radio stations
- software developers
- internet service providers
- insurance companies
- motor carrier companies
- stevedoring firms
- construction companies
- real estate developers
- investment dealers
- senior corporate executives
- communications companies
CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL
Our students are given the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of transactions under the supervision of senior lawyers. Specifically, they become involved in all facets of the transaction, including client interviews, preparation of documentation, negotiations, meetings and closings.
Some of our areas of practice include:
1. General Corporate/Commercial
We provide a full range of corporate and commercial legal advice to a wide variety of clients from the small business entrepreneur to the large multinational corporation.
2. Acquisitions and Reorganizations
We are involved in major business acquisitions and takeovers, corporate reorganizations, mergers and liquidations, and have acted as counsel on some of the major government privatizations in British Columbia. The services we provide include negotiating, structuring, planning the financing of, and ultimately completing the transaction.
3. Real Estate, Resort and Municipal
We handle a wide variety of property transactions from residential conveyances to sophisticated residential and commercial real estate developments.
4. Taxation
Our tax lawyers provide tax advice on all matters relating to personal and corporate tax, estate planning, the taxation of trusts and partnerships. They are also involved in the tax aspects of corporate acquisitions, reorganizations and security issues.
5. Financial Services
Our Firm has experience in all aspects of insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership and foreclosures. We also represent banks and other financial institutions in the preparation of loan agreements and security documents.
6. Securities and Public Financing
We act in all aspects of securities transactions for issuers, brokers and underwriters, from obtaining financing to preparing the prospectus and meeting all Stock Exchange listing requirements.
7. Wealth Preservation
The Wealth Preservation Practice Group consists of six lawyers with extensive experience in all aspects of Wills, Trusts, Tax and Estate Planning, Estate Administration and Estate Litigation. We act for several banks and trust companies in this area.
8. Intellectual Property, Internet and Technology
Our lawyers provide services respecting copyright trademark and trade secret law to clients in the high-technology sector. We advise on registration, licensing, acquisition and transfer of intellectual property, and enforcement of their rights. We draft and negotiate agreements concerning software, product licensing, distribution, franchising, trademark licensing, and computer and telecommunications systems acquisition and confidentiality.
LITIGATION
Approximately one-half of our practice is litigation related. Our students have personal conduct of a number of less complicated files where they maintain contact with clients and other counsel with a minimum of supervision. In addition, they have the opportunity to assist senior counsel on more sophisticated matters.
Some areas of practice include:
1. General litigation
We deal with complex litigation in all courts in British Columbia and Alberta, and the Federal and Supreme Courts of Canada. We have particular expertise in the areas of commercial and corporate disputes, maritime claims, labour and employment matters, construction-related claims, personal injuries, insurance claims, foreclosures and receivership, municipal disputes, intellectual property and estates.
2. Employment
We advise both employers and employees on all facets of the employment relationship, from the preparation of the employment contract through to termination of the employment relationship and wrongful dismissal claims.
3. Insurance
We act for many insurers located in Canada, the United States, Japan and England The cases range from significant property, business interruption and boiler and machinery claims to construction risk claims to product and premises liability claims.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
1. Labour
Our lawyers appear at labour hearings at both the Provincial and Federal levels. In addition, we negotiate collective agreements, appear at arbitrations and provide advice on the interpretation of collective agreements and legislation.
2. Transportation
The Firm represents several major transport clients, notably courier, bus and trucking businesses. We deal with the complex regulatory environment faced by these companies, as well as with their corporate and commercial concerns, labour and employment matters and litigation, including cargo claims.
3. Media and Communications
We are one of the very few firms in British Columbia with experience in media broadcasting and communications law. We handle regulatory issues as well as commercial and litigation matters for a number of television and radio stations and industry-related associations.
THE INTERVIEWING PROCESS
Our goal during the interview process is to get to know the student and to permit him or her to get to know us. The interview process is very much a two-way street in the sense that each student is interviewing Owen Bird as much as Owen Bird is interviewing the student. We encourage students to ask questions and we are prepared to answer questions that would assist the student to determine whether Owen Bird is the right law firm. Students are welcome to meet our current articling students, associates, shareholders and staff.
Our policy is not to play the "numbers game" in the sense of hiring ten or fifteen students with the intention of keeping four. We typically only hire three to four students and have historically kept on a significant percentage as associates. There is obviously no guarantee that a student will be kept on as an associate, since this depends on the student's fit with the Firm, the performance evaluations received, and the economy (which impacts on the availability of work for that student). However, our approach has resulted in a retention record that is significantly better than most firms in Vancouver.
In light of this approach, we conduct thorough interviews and make offers to those who we think have the potential to become successful associates and shareholders.
SALARIES AND BENEFITS
We pay top-tier salaries that are competitive with other major Vancouver law firms. In addition, our students are covered by a benefit package, which includes B.C. medical benefits, group life and disability insurance and extended health coverage. The Firm pays the fees for the Professional Legal Training Course ("PLTC") and call fees. Students receive their salary while attending PLTC. The Firm provides the same benefits to associates and as well pays their practice fees and liability insurance premiums. For female associates, there is a maternity policy. As mentioned above, senior associates participate in our "incentive" program which is a financial bonus system unique among law firms. Students and lawyers are encouraged to attend Continuing Legal Education courses and other legal seminars at the Firm's expense.
PRINCIPALS AND MENTORS
Each of our students and associates is assigned to a shareholder who acts as a principal/mentor. He or she is responsible for the personal and professional welfare of the student/associate. This responsibility includes ensuring that the student or associate is getting appropriate work and, equally important, that he or she receives appropriate feedback concerning that work.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
We hire fewer students than most firms our size for a number of reasons. First, we value our students and want the opportunity to get to know them well. Second, we do not want to create a situation which sees a large number of students competing for a limited number of positions. We consider it to be our responsibility to ensure that students develop as members of the Firm and the legal community. We believe that this is best accomplished by fostering support and cooperation among students, rather than competition between them.
STUDENT AND ASSOCIATE EVALUATIONS
Students undergo an objective written evaluation at least twice during the articling year, while associates are evaluated twice a year during their first two years of practice and annually thereafter. The process includes a feedback session which involves a detailed discussion of the results of the written evaluation.
In addition, we have a true "open door" policy that permits associates and students to seek guidance and advice from shareholders at any time, and to seek less formal feedback and evaluation on a task-by-task basis.
SUMMARY
Owen Bird looks for well-rounded, self-motivated individuals who possess a strong academic record, sound judgment, solid work ethic and good inter-personal skills. We take a close look at both academic achievement and extracurricular experience, and are attracted to individuals who demonstrate the personal qualities which are likely to make them compatible members of our Firm.
The strength of our program is reflected by the number and quality of students who have joined and remained with Owen Bird upon completion of articles. We encourage you to contact any of our students or lawyers and to ask them about the Firm and their Articles. In particular, feel free to contact members of the Associates/Articling Committee by calling us at (604) 688-0401.
