Our Students' Experience

My summer experience at Osler has surpassed all my expectations. Going into the summer I was worried the pandemic would make it difficult for me to build new relationships and to work as a member of a team. I was amazed at how well organized our integration into the firm was and how seamlessly the entire firm interacted and operated in the face of the unprecedented conditions. Despite working remotely, I was able to participate in a meaningful way on a wide variety of work and build strong connections with a number of lawyers and my fellow students. The Osler student program gives you the ability to truly determine your own summer experience. Students are given the flexibility to try a wide variety of work, to specialize and to even get involved in summer projects outside of their specific rotations. As a result, I was able to meet lawyers from across the entire firm and discover I had an interest in an area of law I would have never otherwise known about. I felt like everyone I worked with was genuinely invested in my professional development and viewed me not only as a summer student, but as a future fellow colleague.

Summer Student 2020, Toronto

My summer at Osler has been characterized by exposure to varied and interesting work, friendly new (virtual) faces, and continuous learning. Firm members have gone above and beyond to make sure that I am included on files in my areas of interest. They have taken time to ensure that I understand each assignment, explaining how it fits into the broader file and providing feedback on my work. I have especially appreciated the latitude to complete significant assignments in an environment where I feel comfortable asking for advice or help.

Summer Student 2020, Toronto

My Osler student experience has been fantastic! I’ve had the opportunity to work with great colleagues and supportive mentors throughout the summer. Despite having to work virtually due to the pandemic, everyone at Osler made incredible efforts to keep us engaged with a number of social events. There were many opportunities to interact with lawyers from different practice areas during our training sessions. Osler’s training program made the transition into a law firm environment seamless. You have the opportunity to work with some of the most talented lawyers that mentor you throughout your time at Osler. Osler is a great place to start your legal career!

Summer Student 2020, Toronto

During my experience at Osler, it became clear that the image I had developed pre-summer of the firm and the people who work here is absolutely true to form. The warm and open nature of the Osler team runs throughout the firm, and everyone I interacted with over the summer went out of their way to make me feel welcome despite the challenges of a virtual environment. Osler is full of hard working lawyers who are incredibly passionate about their jobs, and working with them inspires excellence. Students are provided with a variety of engaging and challenging work, and this kind of responsibility creates an environment where students can feel proud of their growth and achievements. But importantly, I always felt reassured that the Osler team was ready to support and guide, and this kind of mentorship allowed me to make the most out of my opportunities. The people at Osler truly set it apart, and make for a memorable summer.

Summer Student 2020, Toronto

To say that summer 2020 was unusual would be an understatement. Overnight, the whole world seemed to turn upside down as social distancing became required and work from home became a reality. Osler responded to these rapid changes by leveraging its culture of innovation to virtually onboard us students so that we would still have the world class training and summer experience that the firm is known for. The training I received ensured I had the tools necessary to meaningfully contribute to the complex and interesting work available. The firm provided me with excellent mentors who helped me to develop and improve my legal skills. Osler invested in me because they want me to become an excellent, long-term member of the team. The summer program ensured that I had the opportunity to meet and connect with both the lawyers at the firm and the rest of the summer student cohort through virtual events. These events helped me integrate into the culture of the firm, even though I could not be there in person to experience it. There is no question that the skills I gained this summer at Osler have set me on a path to being a successful lawyer. It was certainly a summer to remember!

Summer Student 2020, Toronto

My first summer at Osler has exceeded all expectations. The firm does an excellent job of seamlessly integrating its students from the very beginning. You find yourself working on a wide array of complex and stimulating files, alongside the best and brightest lawyers in their respective fields. You are made to feel comfortable from the instant you step into the office and the people here go out of their way to ensure that you are given every opportunity to grow and succeed. The firm’s culture of collegiality is pervasive, and I have been able to develop incredible professional relationships, as well as friendships. I am always astounded at how willing and eager people here are to take the time to answer questions, give advice or just to have a friendly conversation. The firm is dedicated to mentorship, both formally and informally, and I have found myself learning more every step of the way. Osler is the ideal place to launch a legal career, and I would not want to be anywhere else.

The Osler student program provides the opportunity to become an integral part of fascinating and complex files. We recently had the opportunity to assist with a Mareva injunction that involved the assets of a foreign state which touched on novel issues including the interplay of international and Canadian law, and the application of international treaties, the State Immunity Act, and arbitration rules. Not only did we have the chance to work closely as a cohesive group of our peers which was an excellent experience and something that has made our experience at Osler unique, but we were also integrated as core members of the team with the lawyers working on the file. We had the opportunity to be involved at all stages which included research, drafting, preparing submissions and we saw the file through to its ultimate settlement. Assisting with this case has been a highlight of our Articling experience thus far. We had the opportunity to delve deep into exciting areas of the law, work alongside peers who have become friends, and learn from brilliant lawyers.

The student experience at Osler strikes the perfect balance between providing summer students with interesting and complex corporate files and the legal and technical training that will build our foundations as successful future lawyers. Osler’s lean size and team-oriented dynamic quickly allow students to work closely with associates and partners on a day-to-day basis. Outside of work hours, students have plenty of opportunities to bond with one another and the entire Osler team at dinners, volunteer days and summer parties, making for a truly memorable summer at the firm.

Osler provides you with the unique opportunity to help shape the firm and the culture. It is not often that you get the chance to help build an office of a national firm in such a large market. Everyone at Osler is excited to be there and genuinely enjoy working with one another. For students who enjoy a challenge and hands on learning, Osler is the perfect place. You are given interesting and important tasks early on, as well as a great deal of support and feedback to ensure you are truly learning and able to see how the work you do progresses. During my summer I was able to participate in a variety of activities and work on multiple transactions in order to get a better understanding of the work lawyers do and the variety of practice areas out there.

Summer Student 2019, Vancouver

Throughout the Course aux stages process, you hear the word “fit” without really understanding what it means. It isn’t until you set foot in the Osler office that it really makes sense. Right from the start, you feel connected to a team and, in spite of your different personalities, there is a common thread that unites you. During my summer at Osler, I had the privilege of participating in a range of interesting and challenging mandates touching on various areas of the law. The fact that the lawyers took the time to explain their work and made themselves available to answer our questions were key factors in making this a unique, rewarding experience. In addition, as part of the summer program, we were able to participate in activities and training, and were paired up with a buddy, so we felt supported throughout the summer. It’s inspiring and motivating to be surrounded by lawyers who aim for excellence in their day-to-day work and see teamwork as the cornerstone of success!