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Application Process

Learn more about the programs we offer at our Toronto 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.

We have learned, however, that the skills and character traits needed to practice 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.

Learn more about applying for a position in Toronto.

Applications

For both 1L and 2L summer programs, please submit your completed application through the viLawPortal and address your application to Hakim Kassam, Director, Professional Resources (Ontario Region). Your application should include a cover letter, a complete résumé, and copies of all official transcripts of law school, undergraduate and graduate grades, as well as a list of anticipated second year or upper year courses. A statement in support of your application is optional. This is truly optional and should only be submitted if the other components of your application are not sufficient to provide a full picture of you as a candidate and potential McCarthy Tétrault student. This is not an extension of your résumé or cover letter, but rather a reflection on the unique perspectives and insights you would bring to the Firm. Please note that writing samples and reference letters are not required.

All of our recruitment procedures are carried out in accordance with LSO guidelines. For dates, please see the LSO website, http://www.lso.ca/

Please note that the Toronto office hires its Articling Student complement from its Summer Student class, as a result, does not typically participate in the articling student recruitment process.

Recruitment Process

You may be wondering how the recruitment process works at McCarthy Tétrault. When we receive your application, we will acknowledge receipt of your application by e-mail. Then the process will occur as follows:

  1. On-Campus Interviews
    If you are a second-year student and selected to participate in an On-Campus Interview (OCI), you will be notified by your law school. After the OCIs have been completed, we will select students to attend in-firm interviews in November and will notify all students by email of the outcome of their OCI.

  2. Call Day
    For those students who have been selected to attend in-firm interviews, we will send you an e-mail in advance of Call Day to inform you to expect our call. On Call Day, applicants will be contacted to schedule an in-firm interview. You will receive an e-mail to confirm interview details.

  3. Interviews at our firm
    Students will meet with at least four of our lawyers and one student during the course of the interview. Our interviews are generally ninety minutes in length. During the interview process, students will be assigned a “host” lawyer who will be the student's main contact. Each candidate will have an opportunity to meet with our articling students to ask candid questions about their experiences at McCarthy Tétrault. 

If you have any questions about our recruitment process, the student program or the firm in general, please do not hesitate to contact Hakim Kassam, Director, Professional Resources (Ontario Region) at [email protected] or 416 601 4304.  

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 a few tips:

Application process

  • Preparation is key to a successful recruitment experience, so take time to reflect about who you are and what you want.
  • A cover letter should be concise (no more than one page) and indicate briefly - why you are applying to McCarthy Tétrault. 
  • Use examples in your cover letter to demonstrate your key skills. Specific examples are often most compelling!
  • 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 its 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 and clients are 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. We want to learn about your interests, motivations, passions, strengths and developmental goals.
  • 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.