Applying to the Summer Program
The Toronto office only participates in the 1L Summer Student and Articling Recruitment processes. We do not participate in the Law Society of Ontario’s regulated 2L Recruitment process or otherwise recruit 2L students. As such, the 1L Summer Student Program is the signature early-year entry pathway to a summer position in our Toronto office, which is complemented by the additional opportunity to join the firm through the articling program at a later stage.
Our program
Our summer program provides students an opportunity to experience the practice of law in action. The program, although structured, is designed in a flexible manner to ensure each student’s needs and interests are met. As a student at our office, you’ll work under the guidance of experienced lawyers on interesting files for our clients. You’ll be given real responsibilities and gain real experience. You will also form many professional relationships and friendships—in fact, that will likely be your greatest reward.
Rotation
The program is structured around a two-rotation schedule based on the following options:
- Corporate and Securities
- Litigation
- Financial Services and Insolvency
- Employment and Pensions
- Commercial Real Estate
- Tax
Secondment
Second-year students may wish to expand their experience with a secondment. Opportunities will be matched with your specific interest and may include working at the office of one of our clients, or at a government or quasi-governmental agency, such as the Ontario Securities Commission.
Feedback session
Evaluations are fundamental to your summering experience. While you can expect to receive informal evaluations from the lawyers you will be working with, you will also be formally evaluated on your various assignments. Completed evaluations will be submitted to our Student Committee, followed by a formal evaluation meeting.
Social events
We have a number of social events for our students and lawyers, so you have lots of opportunities to get to know your colleagues on an informal basis. Our lawyers enjoy getting to know the students and look forward to these events. We attend sporting and cultural events, play laser tag and Whirlyball, go curling and skating, try different restaurants and much more!
What it’s like to summer at Dentons
What our students say:
Ann Chen, Osgoode Hall Law School, 2021 1L Summer Student
I had an amazing experience at Dentons this summer. I appreciate the dedication of the student committee for providing a well-organized summer program and all the support I needed along the way. The partners and associates are very welcoming and approachable. As a student, I felt included as part of the team which allowed me to learn as much as I could not only about different areas of law but also the practice of law. I developed trusting relationships with great mentors whom I feel comfortable asking all of my questions. I continue to be impressed by my student cohort for how diligent and collaborative everyone is. I was lucky to start off my legal career in an environment where people around me are invested in my development, and I look forward to coming back next year.
Maguid Nicholas, Western University, 2021 1L Summer Student
Dentons has a culture that combines challenging and varied learning opportunities for students with valuable feedback and mentorship. The student group is close knit and friendly, and the lawyers and staff are approachable and excited to teach. Law is very much learned by doing, and there were many opportunities to tackle substantive work. I couldn’t think of a better place to start my legal career.
Zehan Jagosh, University of Windsor, 2021 1L Summer Student
Working at Dentons this summer was a wonderful experience. From our very first day, the firm did everything it could to make sure we felt welcomed and were viewed as valued members of the Dentons family. My mentors this summer were truly amazing and provided me with a ton of support throughout my time at the firm. I had the opportunity to work with incredible lawyers on everything from client-related research to large multi-million dollar financing deals. Dentons has provided all of the students with an inviting and cohesive environment that fosters professional growth and industry competency. I am so grateful for my experience with the summer student program, and look forward to more exciting challenges at Dentons next summer.
Ana Iordache, Osgoode Hall Law School, 2021 2L Summer Student
I am truly thankful for the opportunities Dentons has provided me with throughout my last two summers. As a student, I have gotten the chance to work on large corporate deals, high profile litigation cases, and to interact with some of the best lawyers in Canada. Dentons is filled with supportive individuals who genuinely wish to help junior lawyers succeed and learn as much as possible. The work students are given is challenging, yet incredibly rewarding. I could not be happier to start my legal career here!
Anthony Berlingieri, Western University, 2021 2L Summer Student
My experience at Dentons was extremely enjoyable thanks to the amazing people. The lawyers at Dentons provided me with opportunities to tackle challenging work, learn from my mistakes, and gain experience in a wide variety of areas of law. Further, the firm also provided me with an opportunity to go on secondment and enhance my legal experience with an in-house role. Both in the firm and on secondment I was surrounded with talented lawyers with a keen interest in my development. Throughout the summer I had opportunities to work on tax, litigation, employment, regulatory and commercial matters which enabled me to better define my interests. I look forward to returning to the firm next year!
Jonathan Wallace, Osgoode Hall Law School, 2021 2L Summer Student
The past two summers working at Dentons has been an incredible experience and invaluable for my future career in law. From the start, Dentons did a great job of helping students get acclimated with the firm, even in a virtual environment. The student mentorship structure allowed me to build meaningful relationships and have support when taking on various tasks. Over the past two summers, I have been able to grow under the leadership of experienced partners and associates who have given me the opportunity to make significant contributions on client files. A unique part of the student program is the opportunity for second year students to go on secondment with one of the firm’s clients. This proved to be a great introduction to understanding the various needs our clients have. Most importantly, what stands out to me most about Dentons is their commitment to excellence and creating a culture of diversity and inclusion. Dentons is a great place to start your legal career and I am looking forward to returning as an articling student.