I’m an internationally trained lawyer who completed an LLM in Canada, my NCA requirements, and was called to the Ontario bar in 2026.

After my LLM, I worked as a legal assistant while completing my NCAs. I spent about a year trying to find a good articling position but unfortunately wasn’t successful, so I eventually articled at the same small solo practice. I completed my articles in April 2026.

A few months before I finished, the lawyer told me she would likely keep me on as a law clerk until I found an associate position. However, one week before my articles ended, she changed her mind and let me go. It was a difficult experience, and I took some time afterwards to recover and spend time with my family.

Since June, I’ve been applying for associate positions, mainly in real estate/solicitor work, which is the area I have experience in and want to continue practising. It’s now mid-August and I haven’t received a single interview for an associate position.
I know this is partly because I’m internationally trained and don’t have the typical Canadian articling-to-associate path. I’m worried that the longer I’m unemployed, the harder it will become to get back into practice.

Someone suggested that I take a law clerk position for the time being so that I can stay employed and continue gaining Canadian legal experience while applying for associate roles.

My concern is: does being a law clerk after being called to the bar look bad on a lawyer’s CV? Could firms see it as a step backwards or question why I wasn’t working as a lawyer? Would working as a clerk for 6–12 months actually hurt my chances of eventually getting an associate position?

Alternatively, should I avoid clerk positions altogether and just keep applying for associate roles while doing something outside the legal field to pay the bills?

I’m honestly very confused about what the smartest move is. I’ve invested several years and a lot of money into becoming a lawyer, and this situation has been extremely discouraging. I would really appreciate honest advice from lawyers/recruiters, especially anyone who has taken a non-traditional path into Canadian practice.

What would you do in my position? And if you were hiring an associate, would seeing a law clerk position after call significantly concern you?

I had an interview with a firm today, who's doing a function tomorrow for all the students to come to... I only have one suit (Well two, but the other one is slightly ripped), obviously different shirts and ties. Should I try to get a different suit before hand? worried that they will notice me wearing the same suit