Three Factors That Shaped My 2L Recruit and Why I Chose Lerners

I remember the 2L summer student recruit vividly. I was so excited about the opportunity to secure a position through this process, but I also felt overwhelmed about where to begin. With so many excellent firms participating, deciding where to apply was daunting. For anyone navigating this process now, I’m sharing three factors that mattered most in my decision on where to apply, and why Lerners stood out.

Areas of Law

The first step I took when deciding which firms to apply to was to ask myself what area of law I wanted to practise. If you are anything like me, you have a clearer sense of the areas of law you don’t want to pursue than of those you do. The good news is that you don’t need a definitive answer to this question, but having a general sense of what you are interested in is helpful. I knew I was not interested in criminal or tax law, so I chose not to apply to firms that specialized in those areas.

Because I wasn’t yet sure which area of law I wanted to specialize in, I was interested in firms with a broad range of practice areas. This was one thing that stood out to me about Lerners. I was drawn to their wide variety of practice areas and, in the Toronto office, to their strong litigation focus. Through further research and conversations, I learned that, as a summer student, I would have the opportunity to explore a wide range of fields, including family, commercial, personal injury, professional regulation, and health law. This would allow me to explore my interests and discover what resonates most with me.

Student Support

Going into the recruit, I knew I wanted to find a firm that would help me learn and grow, and where I could see myself building a long-term career. I also knew that as a summer student, I would have so many questions and that there would be so much I wouldn’t know. It was important to me to find a firm that would set me up for success. My ideal firm was one where everyone would understand what I was still learning and would be willing to teach and support me.

After speaking with lawyers and staff at Lerners, I learned that Lerners’ summer student program places a strong emphasis on mentorship. All students are matched with junior and senior lawyer mentors, but student support goes beyond formal mentorship. Every lawyer is approachable and happy to guide students as they navigate the transition into the legal profession. Moreover, Lerners’ student program dedicates significant time to training new students at the beginning of the summer to ensure everyone understands the various programs and practice areas. After hearing this, I was thoroughly impressed with Lerners’ commitment to student success.

Diversity and Inclusion

A third factor that was important to me in my research on firms was diversity and inclusion. Finding a firm that accepts me was essential, as I know I do my best work in environments where I feel welcome and can be my authentic self. The life of a summer law student can be challenging, so it was important to me to find a firm where I would feel confident and where I could thrive.

Many firms speak about their commitment to diversity, but at Lerners, it is not only accepted but also celebrated. The firm regularly hosts events that recognize and honour marginalized communities, including its Extraordinary Women’s event, Asian Heritage Month lunch, Pride Month celebrations, and a bursary for BIPOC students interested in pursuing law. These initiatives showed me that Lerners takes diversity and inclusion seriously and works to foster a culture where people feel valued and supported.

Beginning the Recruit

Navigating the 2L recruit certainly isn’t easy, but once you have identified the factors you are looking for from a firm, you can begin to feel excited about the application process. Best of luck with this recruit! 

Learn More

Lerners will be participating in the 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.