Students – Tips on applying and thriving

TRANSCRIPT:

Branden Lauer, Associate:

Be confident in your own abilities. You’re trained as a lawyer. You’re young, insightful, resourceful, and you’re bringing something to a firm that is truly looking to have you there.

Stacey Handley, Partner, Co-chair – Vancouver Student Recruiting Committee:

I think it’s critical for students to really know themselves and be authentic and to also know what they’re passionate about. I also want to hear when I’m talking to a student, “Why have you applied to Gowling WLG? What brings you here?”.

Max Brunette, Partner, Co-chair – Vancouver Student Recruiting Committee:

Make the cover letter interesting. If you’ve had an opportunity to travel, or you’ve played a particular sport, or you’ve got an interest in music or art, or whatever the case is, make that come through in the cover letter. I mean, I know we are looking at grades to a certain extent, but we are trying to hire team-balanced people here who are going to work well in a collegial environment, so make that aspect of your personality shine.

Kathy Tran, Summer Student:

I, myself, came into this position thinking that I don’t have a lot to offer. I don’t know anything. That’s absolutely false. It’s not true. We all bring a wealth of knowledge from law school and lawyers really do appreciate the help that we’re able to provide to them.

Roch Ripley, Partner:

The summer student program is a really great opportunity for the students to explore. If you have an idea for doing something, if you want to work with a certain group, if you want to go after a certain sector area, or grow your practice and you approach people who have business development, or other practitioners in the area, then the firm’s always supported that and helped you grow your own practice.

Kathy Tran, Summer Student:

Definitely be persistent and dedicated in the way you pursue your career and what you’re looking for in a firm. I think you have as much to provide and add to a firm as they do to you as an individual looking for a position.

Kathy Tran, Summer Student:

We have a lot of lawyers at the firm. Different practice groups and it’s important to come and be ready to work in all different areas. Not only would you learn a lot more by being open about the work you are working on but you’ll also be able to realize, “Oh, maybe I like this area of law more than this area,” and it really helps prepare you for your full article.

Kean Silverthorn, Summer Student:

Take every opportunity to meet as many of the different lawyers and students as you have the opportunity to. I think that’s what really sets us apart from a lot of the other law firms in the city, and across the country, is the people that we have here and just by spending time around them you’ll know if this is the right place for you, and I know it’s going to be.