Demystifying the 2L Recruit: A Personal Guide to Success

The 2L Recruit is a long but rewarding process that begins in the summer before you enter 2L and concludes in the fall. While it may initially feel daunting, unfamiliar, and anxiety-inducing, setting realistic expectations for what the process entails will help ease these nerves. I hope that I can use my own experiences to help ease your nerves before applications, OCI’s, and the “In-Firm” interview week.

When I came to law school, I remember hearing about the “big 2L Recruit”. I remember my peers stressing about 1L grades and extracurricular activities in anticipation of the Recruit, and countless coffee chats with lawyers at prospective firms. When I envisioned the recruit, I imagined a rigid, bureaucratic process marked by a lot of stress and anxiety. My experience, however, could not have been more different.

During the summer between 1L and 2L, I coffee-chatted with lawyers at various firms I was interested in applying to. This experience was fun because it gave me a feel for the different vibes of the firms and the experiences of the people who work there. I always tried to chat with lawyers who practiced in areas that I was interested in. I usually started by asking what their day-to-day looked like and what type of files their group focused on. As I continued to do coffee chats, I found that many firms were very similar. I then began ending my coffee chats by asking the lawyers whether there was anything they thought made their firm stand out. This allowed me to hear more than what I could find on the firm’s website and often elicited genuine responses. These chats helped me write more insightful and genuine cover letters that express my interests at the firms.

Once October came around, I was gearing up for OCI’s. Preparing for OCI’s can be hard because they are very short. My OCI’s were very informal and conversational; I was not asked any behavioural questions. While you may be asked some behavioural questions, for me, it truly felt like an opportunity for the firms to get to know who I am beyond my resume. Make sure your “Interests” section is authentic and genuine because these are key conversation starters for OCI’s. I remember discussing the upcoming half-marathon I was running and my childhood basketball career. Many people have defined OCI’s as a “vibe check,” which I tend to agree with. Additionally, it is important to know who your interviewers are. Much of my OCI with Lerners LLP was spent discussing “Trial Advocacy” at Osgoode Hall Law School since one of my interviewers had recently taken the course. Knowing your interviewers allows you to connect on a deeper level and make a lasting impression. 

Shortly after OCI’s comes the In-Firm interview week. Unlike OCI’s, In-Firms are much longer interviews and consist of two to three consecutive days or “rounds”. Additionally, many firms will invite interviewees for receptions and/or dinners over the three days. These are the interviews where you will be asked about your resume and your experiences. I still found the overall tone of the interviews to be conversational; however, they focused more on behavioural questions. I was asked standard “tell me about a time” questions, but I was also thrown some curveballs, where my interviewers wanted to hear more about the experiences outlined in my resume.

The social events throughout In-Firm week gave me the opportunity to really get a feel for the firm and its culture. Additionally, these socials are a chance to speak with lawyers in more depth about their practices and the work they do with the firm. The reception at Lerners LLP really solidified them as my first-choice firm. When I arrived, many of the lawyers whom I had met during my interviews greeted me and welcomed me back. The lawyers would listen to your interests and goals, then introduce you to others who worked in those areas. The reception's vibe was fun and positive, and I can now say it truly serves as an exemplar of the firm's culture.

Finally, after three long days, you will have a two-hour blackout period from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm where no contact can occur between firms and candidates. These two hours are full of anticipation and nerves as you wait for a phone call. During this time, it is important to reflect on your experiences with the firms and consider where you see yourself working. I met up with a friend to debrief the experience and to calm the final nerves heading into 5:00 pm.

Based on my experience, there are two crucial factors for your success in the Recruit: preparation and confidence. First, and most importantly, preparation is the key to your success. You must know your resume like the back of your hand because you can and likely will be asked about everything on it. Mock interviews are also very important. Get together with friends and ask each other mock questions as often as you can. Mock interviews help you identify wordy or unclear answers and strengthen your flow. Finally, approach the recruit with confidence. You have worked hard to be in the position you are in and deserve to be in that interview room!

Learn More

Lerners will be participating in the 2027 Toronto 2L Summer Student Recruit. To learn more about the program, visit our website or connect with Tiffany Lau. Lerners offers a personalized approach, with opportunities to meet one-on-one with students and lawyers to learn more about the firm.