Articling Student Placement 2025-2026

Manulife is seeking an Articling Student for a 10-month placement within its in-house legal department for 2025-2026, providing hands-on experience in commercial, corporate, regulatory, and litigation matters. This articling opportunity, beginning on or before August 12, 2025, will appeal to an individual interested in business and financial services law who loves to take initiative, is client-focused, and is exceptionally strong in delivering high-quality results.

As part of the placement, you will work with a high-caliber legal team in a leading global financial services organization. Our articling program offers:

• Comprehensive mentorship and training from senior legal professionals.
• Exposure to complex and high-profile legal matters in financial services law.
• A collaborative and inclusive environment with a strong focus on professional development.

Responsibilities

You will work closely with experienced in-house counsel on a broad range of legal matters. Some of the key responsibilities of the Articling Student in their placement are to:

• Support Manulife lawyers in providing strategic and risk-informed legal advice.
• Conduct legal research and legal writing.
• Assist with contract drafting, policy reviews, regulatory compliance, corporate matters, and litigation strategy.
• Participate in performance and staff meetings as the need arises and in-house training opportunities.
• Travel to different Manulife offices as required.

Education and Experience

• Law degree and a strong academic background.
• Demonstrated interest in commercial, corporate, regulatory, litigation, and/or insurance law, with prior experience in a legal setting considered an asset.

Who We’re Looking For

• Highly motivated and proactive self-starter with a strong work ethic.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and effectively to both legal and business audiences.
• Advocacy, problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
• A high level of comfort working with technology and a keen passion for learning new systems, including digital literacy of MS Office and web-based legal research tools and other web-based resources.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work cross-collaboratively.
• Strong client service mindset.
• Demonstrated attention to detail.
• Critical thinker able to work well independently with minimal supervision as well as in a team environment.
• Proven time management skills and ability to deal with conflicting priorities and deadlines.

• Ability to lead work in fast-paced and high-conflict situations.
• Ability to investigate facts, identify issues, determine organizational objectives, consider alternative solutions, analyze risk and advise clients on the appropriate course of action.

Placement Application Process

To apply for this placement, you will be required to submit the following: cover letter (please address your letter to the Articling Committee), resume, law school transcripts, final year course selection, and list of three professional references. All application materials must be submitted by 4:00 PM EST on May 9, 2025.

**Please note that successful applicants will not be employed by Manulife and will instead be placed at Manulife as contingent workers through Manulife’s contingent worker program administered by Allegis Global Solutions.  Successful applicants will be provided with further information following the interview process.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact recruitment@manulife.com.

Salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. Please contact recruitment@manulife.com for additional information.

Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence. If you are applying for this role in the U.S., please contact recruitment@manulife.com for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.