How Large Law Firms Recruit Law Students

Jumping Off the Ivory Tower with Prof JulieMac

This week we take a close look at the process of recruitment that dominates law school for second and third year students. Eager to find a position that will be a resume builder and begin paying off tuition debt, students compete in a process known as the “OCIs” (“On-Campus Interviews”), for either summer positions or articling jobs in big Bay Street firms. OCIs are a multi-stage process involving on-campus interviews, in-firm interviews, cocktails parties and dinners – and a lot of nail-biting waiting for a call-back. Our focus here is the 2L summer position OCI recruitment process, and we have recorded comments from a number of students who have just completed this months-long process – some got jobs, some did not. We also talk to Kim Orr, a two-year call and a lawyer with Paccioco and Mellow in Windsor, about her OCIs experience. In other news: Malcolm Mercer (treasurer of the Law Society of Ontario) has published a column for SLAW magazine discussing sharp practice by lawyers; a recent article from The Tyee looks at Gladue Reports, access to justice, and the ways in which the Canadian justice system isn’t doing enough for Indigenous communities; and Julie has been featured on another podcast, “The Law School Show”, speaking with students about her work for the NSRLP, her experiences that have led to this point, and sharing some insights on the legal profession. For related links and more on this episode visit our website: https://representingyourselfcanada.com/how-large-law-firms-recruit-law-students/ Jumping Off the Ivory Tower is produced and hosted by Julie Macfarlane and Dayna Cornwall; production and editing by Brauntë Petric; Other News produced and hosted by Ali Tejani; promotion by Moya McAlister and Ali Tejani.