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:
Promise Adedijo (Osgoode Hall Law School), 2026 and 2025 Summer Student
“My past two summers at Dentons have been an incredible experience. What I have appreciated most is how hands-on the student experience is. I have had the opportunity to take on meaningful work, explore different areas of law, and contribute to real client matters. The lawyers and student team have also been incredibly supportive and genuinely invested in my growth. I have learned a lot through the mentorship I’ve received and the range of challenging and interesting matters I worked on. Between the work, the people, and friendships I’ve made, Dentons has truly been an amazing place to begin my legal career.”
Bankole Alade (Osgoode Hall Law School), 2026 and 2025 Summer Student
My past two summers at Dentons have been instrumental in my growth as a future lawyer. From day one, the firm has surrounded me with exceptional formal and informal mentors and fostered an environment where lawyers cared about my development and long-term success. Additionally, the rotational program has given me an opportunity to explore different practice areas, including areas in which I would never have discovered an interest. Throughout both of my summers, I was entrusted with substantive, meaningful work that allowed me to contribute to important matters and significantly develop my legal skills. Finally, Dentons is committed to hiring not only excellent lawyers, but genuinely good people. Everyone I have worked with cares deeply about producing high-quality work, supporting their colleagues, and treating others with kindness and respect. I am grateful for my experiences at the firm, and I look forward to seeing how my career continues to grow. – Bankole Alade, Osgoode Hall Law School, 2026 2L Summer Student
Ira Chandershekar (Windsor University), 2026 and 2025 Summer Student
“My summer at Dentons was an experience I will carry with me into the rest of my career! From day one, I was paired with both an associate mentor and a partner mentor, which meant I always had someone in my corner, for anything from a quick question on a file to a bigger-picture conversation about the profession. I also got to learn from lawyers who are both experienced and successful, but still made time to teach and mentor. As a 2L student, I had the opportunity to go on secondment, which gave me a different vantage point and helped me understand what clients actually need from their lawyers. Everyone at the firm, from partners to fellow students, was generous with their time and genuinely invested in helping me grow. I am thankful for the summer I had and I look forward to returning to Dentons!”
Robert Howden (University of Toronto), 2026 Summer Student
I had a wonderful time working at Dentons this past summer. From the outset, the firm made us feel welcomed and treated us as valued members of the community. We were encouraged to learn, ask questions, and say yes to opportunities whenever they arose, all of which led to development in my hard and soft skills and familiarity with different areas of law. The advice and mentorship I received from both formal and informal mentors also provided tremendous support throughout the summer, helping me succeed when new challenges presented themselves. I feel very fortunate to have begun my legal career at Dentons and am looking forward to returning next summer to continue learning from such a talented group of lawyers!
April Lian (University of Toronto), 2026 Summer Student
My summer at Dentons was incredibly memorable. As summer students, we received comprehensive training from day one and gained valuable exposure to the areas of work that interested us. The lawyers were approachable and willing to provide hands-on guidance, making the learning experience especially rewarding.
Dentons also has a strong mentorship culture. I met with my mentors regularly, and they always generously shared their time and advice. Beyond the work itself, I also developed close friendships with the other students, which made the summer even more unforgettable.
I feel incredibly lucky to have started my legal career here and look forward to taking on new challenges next year!
Avery LeBelle (Osgoode Hall Law School), 2026 Summer Student
My summer at Dentons was an incredibly rewarding experience. I had the opportunity to work on a wide range of labour and employment and litigation matters, conduct substantive legal research, assist with drafting, and take ownership of assignments. The lawyers I worked with made me feel like part of the team and consistently took the time to provide context, guidance, and feedback.
Most of all, the people made my summer. Dentons has a strong mentorship culture, and our student group was incredibly close-knit and supportive. I could not have asked for a better group of people to learn from and work alongside, and I am very excited to return next summer.