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Application Process

Learn more about the programs we offer at our Montréal office and see if it’s right for you.

At McCarthy Tétrault, we look for students who are genuinely interested in our practice and our clients, who can work in a team-based environment, who have a strong desire to learn, who are highly motivated, and who demonstrate initiative and judgment.

The skills and character traits needed to practise law at a high level do not come in uniform packages and our students and lawyers have diverse backgrounds, personalities and interests. 

We pride ourselves on our professionalism, client focus, innovation and ability to work as a team. If you think you might enjoy working with us, please send us your application. 

Applications

Your application should include a cover letter, a complete résumé, and copies of all official transcripts of law school, undergraduate and graduate grades (if applicable). Writing samples and reference letters are not required. 

Applications can be submitted directly online through the ViDesktop Law Portal by the date set in the Entente de recrutement.

The firm is a party to the Entente de recrutement signed by most major law firms in Montréal, which sets the dates for interviews and offers. Applications for 2026 articling positions should be received by February 5, 2024. No interviews will take place prior to March 11, 2024  We do not recruit first-year students, not even for summer positions. You must be enrolled in a Civil Law program which will allow you to eventually be called to the Quebec Bar to apply.

Recruitment Process

You may be wondering how the recruitment process works at McCarthy Tétrault’s Montreal office. First, we will acknowledge receipt of your ViDesktop Law Portal application by e-mail. Then the process will be as follows:

  1. First interviews
    Students will meet two lawyers in a sit-down interview. Our first interviews are generally twenty-five to thirty minutes long.
  2. Second Interviews
    Our second interview consists of a longer interview with some of our partners. You will be assigned a "host" lawyer who will be your main contact and who will guide you throughout the process. You will also tour our office and meet lawyers, students and articling students in a more informal setting.
  3. Suppers and activities
    During the last week of the recruitment process, we will host suppers and organize personalized activities.

If you have any questions about our recruitment process, the student programs or the firm in general, please do not hesitate to contact Jean-Nicolas Bissonnette, Director, Professional Resources (Québec Region) at 514-397-5696 or by email: [email protected]

Hints and Tips

We appreciate that the recruitment process can be a stressful time for students. To make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible, here are few tips:

Application process

  • Preparation is key to a successful recruitment experience, so take the time to reflect about who you are and what you want.
  • A cover letter should be concise (no more than one page) and indicate why you are applying to McCarthy Tétrault.
  • Your cover letter should leave the reader thinking, "I want to learn more about this person."
  • Gaps in a candidate's personal history may be puzzling and should be explained in your cover letter.
  • Your résumé should allow the reader to determine what you have done and should highlight your education, extracurricular activities, leadership, work and community service.
  • Don't forget to proofread! Lawyers tend to be very detail-conscious.

Interview process

  • When interviewing you, we want to learn more about your skills and interests, and, most importantly, about who you are.
  • During the interview, you should be prepared to answer questions about anything in your cover letter and résumé, about yourself and your career ambitions.
  • Listen carefully to the questions, and don't be afraid to ask for clarification.
  • Practise answering questions with a family member or a friend or participate in mock interviews.
  • Try to be on top of everything that is in your control in order to help ease the stress of interviews. 
  • Get to the interview with a few minutes to spare and be prepared with questions for your interviewers.
  • Breathe, relax, smile: and, most importantly, be yourself.