From Recruit to Reality: My First Weeks at Lerners LLP

Congratulations! You’ve landed a 2L summer student position! You sigh, relieved that it’s all over. After all, everyone told you that “getting the job is the hard part.” It is, right? For some of you, it may be your first time working in a law firm or even an office environment. While you are incredibly excited about this opportunity, you start to ask yourself: What will my first week look like? What kind of work will I be assigned? What if I don’t know what I am doing? As someone who recently completed the recruitment process and started my summer student position at Lerners LLP, I am here to assure you that you are not alone.   

Before I started, I was not sure what to expect or what was expected of me. However, in my first few weeks of working at a firm that prioritizes mentorship, inclusion, and development through hands-on experience, my questions have been answered, and my anxiety has quickly subsided.  

Learning Through Real Work 

One of the questions I had before starting was whether there would be guidance on drafting internal, client, and court documents. In law school, there are opportunities to draft briefs and legal research memoranda. However, unless you have worked a legal job or in a legal clinic, your experience drafting client and court materials may be limited.  In my first few weeks, I discovered that thoughtfully prepared research and drafting seminars were a fundamental aspect of training. 

Lerners provided sessions focused on practical skills, including drafting pleadings, motions, and other litigation documents, as well as research best practices. These sessions were led by lawyers who regularly collaborate with students and are invested in our success. Although each lawyer has a different writing style and approach, these seminars eased some of the anxieties that inevitably accompany new experiences.  

One of my first assignments was drafting a Notice of Action. Like many students, I approached the task with some uncertainty, wondering whether my work would prove useful. After I completed the task, the assigning lawyer generously agreed to meet with me to walk through the file. During our discussion, they explained that a strategic decision had been made to proceed by Statement of Claim rather than a Notice of Action. They explained why that decision was made, the factors considered during the drafting process, and how my work helped move the file forward.  

This conversation transformed a drafting assignment into an invaluable learning opportunity. Similar conversations with lawyers have quickly become some of the most rewarding experiences of my summer so far.  

Mentorship Beyond Assignments  

As someone who values constructive feedback, guidance, and collaboration, I was eager to work at a firm that prioritized mentorship. At Lerners, summer students are connected to a mentorship group from different practice areas and with varying levels of experience, offering diverse guidance and experience.  

Having multiple mentors has allowed me to ask questions, seek feedback, work on diverse assignments, and learn about different practice areas in a way that feels approachable and supportive. The ability to have more informal conversations has become one of the most valuable learning experiences.  

Mentorship is also not limited to formal mentors. In my experience, every lawyer has been approachable and kindly offered their guidance and support.  

Becoming Part of the Firm  

One of the hardest things to assess during the recruitment process is the firm’s day-to-day culture. From my first few weeks, I can attest that the culture at Lerners is undoubtedly what makes the firm such a great place to learn and grow as a future advocate.   

Lerners has been incredibly intentional about integrating students into the firm’s culture. What has stood out to me is the fact that students are encouraged to participate rather than simply observe. Whether through formal mentorship, collaboration with lawyers on assignments, or partaking in firm-wide events and team building, such as our annual summer baseball game, there is no shortage of opportunities to make the most of your time as a summer student at Lerners LLP.   

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. We offer a personalized approach, with opportunities to meet one-on-one with students and lawyers to learn more about the firm.