Application Basics
Each of our offices hire their own students and have their own application procedures (including where and to whom applications should be sent). Regardless of which office you are applying to, please ensure your application package includes the following:
- Cover letter;
- Résumé;
- Most recent law school transcript(s);
- Undergraduate and/or other post-secondary transcript(s); and
- List of anticipated courses you will be taking in the current and future semesters.
We will acknowledge receipt of your application. After we review all applications, we will contact you about whether we are able to arrange an interview. Please note that acknowledgement and contact practices differ slightly among our offices.
Click below for application information specific to each office.
Interview Process
On-Campus Interviews
- If we are going to be visiting your school, your Career Development Officer will let you know if we are able to meet with you and advise you about scheduling procedures. We will also send you an e-mail to let you know we'd like to meet you when we're on campus. If on-campus interviews are not offered at your school, we will review your application and let you know by email whether we can meet with you at one of our offices.
In-firm Interviews
- During your in-firm interview, one of our main objectives is to give you a sense of who we are and an opportunity to meet with associates, partners and students in different practice areas and at different stages of their careers.
- We try to ensure that students who express interest in certain practice areas will have an opportunity to meet with lawyers who practise in those areas. We may ask you to join us for a second interview for that purpose. Where possible, we also ask students to join us for a dinner or cocktail party so that we have an opportunity to get to know one another in a more relaxed social setting.
- Offers of employment are extended in accordance with applicable Law Society or other governing procedures or, if you are applying to our New York office, in accordance with your law school rules.
Recruitment Tips
- Here are some tips to help you succeed throughout the application and recruitment process:
Cover Letter
- Your cover letter matters. It is the first impression you will make on the person reviewing your application. It is a sample of your writing skills and also gives the reviewer relevant information about you. We suggest keeping your cover letter short and concise (i.e., three to four short paragraphs and never more than one page). Be sure to proofread it to ensure that there are no spelling, grammar or other mistakes (i.e. office address or contact names). Include the following information:
- The law school you are applying from;
- The position you are applying for (e.g., summer 2010, articling 2010-2011);
- Your practice area interests, if known (it's fine if you do not yet have any particular areas of interest and are open to different practice areas);
- Why you are interested in our firm in particular (e.g., specialty practice areas that we offer and in which you're interested);
- A few points about your attributes or experience that would be of interest (e.g., excellent grades, work experience, skills); and
- An explanation of anything unique about your situation that would otherwise be confusing to the reviewer (e.g., a transfer from one law school to another between first and second year).
Résumé
- Your résumé gives us some idea of what contribution you could make to the firm. We're interested in your education, work experiences, community involvement, etc. Your life experiences may indicate that you are someone who is responsible, motivated, hard-working, interesting, team-oriented and well-rounded. Overall, your résumé should be:
- Easy to read (i.e., well organized, not too cluttered and well spaced);
- Concise (one to two pages) yet informative so that the reviewer can easily focus on the most important aspects;
- Structured in reverse-chronological order (i.e., most recent schooling or work experience first); and
- Tailored to the legal job for which you are applying.
- While all relevant or interesting work experience should be included, it's not necessary to provide extensive detail about non-law related activities. As with your cover letter, be sure to proofread your résumé for errors in spelling, grammar, dates, etc. In addition, ask a classmate or your Career Development Officer to review your résumé and cover letter, providing suggestions for improvement. Remember that during your interview, you should be prepared to discuss and expand on anything you've mentioned in your cover letter or résumé.
Scheduling Interviews
- When scheduling interviews, be organized - have a chart ready to write in your interview schedule. Prioritize the firms you want to work for. Leave two hours between interviews and room for second interviews on Tuesday.
Interview
- Be yourself and relax. Be honest and prepared. Make sure you understand the process and have researched the firm (i.e., reviewed the firm web site and brochure, talked to students who have worked at the firm, etc.)
Understand your goals
- to make a favourable impression and "sell" yourself;
- to collect additional information about the firm and its people;
- to assess your comfort level with that firm; and
- to be treated fairly.
Understand your interviewers' goals
- to collect additional information about you;
- to provide information about the firm, the work and the people; and
- to treat you fairly and leave you with an accurate impression of the firm and the selection process.
- Engage in the conversation. Ask questions to show you are interested in the type of work you will get, the "feel" of the firm, education/training opportunities, the interviewers, the social atmosphere or whatever is important to you.
- Don't be afraid to show your knowledge and to discuss your other options (if you are comfortable doing this). Think about why you are interested in the firm and be prepared to articulate your reasons. Ask to speak to current students.
Post-Interview
- After an interview, make notes about what you thought and whom you met. If you are really interested in our firm, contact someone you met and let him or her know. Do not hesitate to contact us with any follow-up questions you may have.
Dinners and Cocktail Parties
- When you accept an invitation to a dinner or cocktail party, make sure you know the plans (e.g., where to meet and when). Apply the same strategies for dinner and/or cocktail parties as you would for interviews: be yourself, relax, be honest, engage in conversation and ask questions. And, try to have fun!