Another busy day at the office, student-at-law Sandro Marrocco is almost finished articling at law firm Lawson and Lundell. In another couple of weeks he'll be writing bar exams, after which he'll become a bona fide lawyer. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo

For the time being, Marrocco is content toiling away in the office as a student-at-law at local law firm Lawson and Lundell.

In December he will write his NWT and Alberta bar examinations, and take the final step towards becoming a full-fledged lawyer.

"It's just something I've always wanted to do, since Grade 9," says the 25-year-old Edmonton native.

He has been in Yellowknife articling for over a year now.

Marrocco says to be a student-at-law is much like being an apprentice in any other field of employment. You have to pay your dues before moving onto bigger and better things.

"I guess it can be similar to apprenticing as an electrician or a plumber or something like that," says Marrocco.

"You're basically on the job learning, and under the supervision of other lawyers in the office."

Most of his time is spent drafting documents, doing research, and going into court to watch the proceedings.

"Basically, it's anything they want you to do," adds Marrocco.

Because Marrocco is articling in Yellowknife the rules require him to pass both the Alberta bar exams and those specifically designed for practising in the NWT.

"They (NWT) kind of co-operate with the Alberta Law Society, and their exams are a lot more comprehensive," says Marrocco.

"The NWT exam is more about the statutes in the North, the laws that are followed up here."

Once he passes the bar, Marrocco says he hopes to stay in Yellowknife and practice corporate law, which is fitting because he also holds a degree in commerce.

Marrocco is not alone in his quest to become a lawyer. His girlfriend Sherina is also articling in Yellowknife. The only catch is that both, as a rule, generally avoid bringing work home to the dinner table.

"We can't talk about work because it's all confidential," says Marrocco.

"So we pretty much talk about anything else but work."