2021 law student recruitment process set to go virtual

From the onset of the pandemic, law firms, public sector employers, legal departments, law students, law schools and law societies have been collaborating in a concerted effort to ensure that current law students are given the same career opportunities as their pre-pandemic predecessors.

In reporting on these collaborative efforts from the legal profession, The Lawyer’s Daily has published an article on major changes being made to the student recruitment process. Most notably, the recruitment period which would historically have happened this fall will now take place from January through February, with on-campus and possibly in-firm interviews moving virtual.

Students will also be able to attend virtual open houses that will provide them with insight into each firm’s culture and way of working. The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) believes the move to online interviews will provide a “more level playing field.”

Speaking on the changes to the student recruitment process, Torys’ head of legal recruitment, diversity and inclusion, Georgia Brown, told The Lawyer’s Daily that the move to an online interview platform would not affect the overall assessment process.

“We do not expect our evaluation standards or methods to change,” Georgia said.

“In adapting to new procedures, we’ll remain focused on recruiting top talent that is representative of the law school population at large.”

Georgia also pointed out the importance of uniting with others in the legal industry during these turbulent times, noting that “this pandemic has shown us how truly critical collaboration is.”