A new online directory of legal employers will provide an unprecedented picture of Canada’s law firms for law students and associates. The Canadian Directory of Legal Employers (CDLE), developed through a working group of law school and firm representatives, will provide lawyers and soon-to-be lawyers with a comprehensive and searchable resource for job opportunities in Canada.
Over the past few months, Canadian employers have been invited to enter their profiles and job announcements into the CDLE database. The cost for being on the site is based on a sliding scale, with no cost for small firms, government, and nonprofits; and up to $600 for firms of more than 100 lawyers. As of early February, 125 employers have added their profiles.
The database will provide information on office size, salaries, and positions available; but law firms will also be asked to report on topics such as flex programs, pro bono work, and gender diversity (broken down by students, associates, equity, and non-equity partners). This will be the first time that Canadian firms have reported demographic information in a comprehensive and searchable format.
The CDLE is modeled after an American directory administered by the National Association for Law Placement (NALP). The association has now come on board to manage the Canadian equivalent. “There’s a fairly significant capital cost to undertake this kind of initiative,” says Kara Sutherland, chair of the CDLE working group and director of professional resources at Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP. “We are lucky that NALP responded to our need.”
The site, which will replace various student handbooks published by law firms and career development offices, is scheduled to go live in the coming weeks.
Update: The site has gone live!