Articling in family law

[Hope97]

Just wondering - relative to other practices, how abundant are articling positions in family law? 
also, if one does not obtain articles in family law but wants to pursue family law as an associate, where (or in what practice area) would you recommend one to pursue articles? 

[Aureliuse]

Family law practitioner in Ontario here.

Family law articling can be tricky to find because the OCI process has only 1-2 (iirc) family law firms or agencies. You have to go out there to find the articling positions or network with family law firms at extracurricular events.

In Toronto for example, you can either find family law articling positions with prominent downtown/mid-town family law firms, Legal Aid, Family Responsibility Office, or clinics such as the Barbara Schlifer.

I know family law lawyers who articled with wills and estates firms, corporate law firms, personal injury firms, criminal defence firms, and immigration firms. I think the takeaway is that as long as you work with people, handle contract drafting and litigation, you would have transferable skills to become a family law lawyer. Ideally, you have some volunteer experience in family law to make the application process easier.